The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1867-06-27

'. ''"' koc" you would not, know
ing your dislike to that delectable
means for the promotion of flirtioy."
And after this it happened that Mil
" either went or was sent for nearly
every day up to the Hollies-where,
indeed, she was very much in the hab
" OF going; while 1, who had long ago
ceased to care for any companionship hip
beside my sisters, sat at home, longing
with feverish longing to see Marx
Sutherland once more. and ye. dread
'og with a sickening dread to meet the
careless, estranged glance of the dark
eyes that had looked into nine, full Of
love.
1t seemed that Marx not unfrequent-
~ accompanied Milly part of the way
home: but he never came near enough
to our cottage for me to catch even the
most distant glimpse of him. and nv
little sister had somehow ceased to talk
OF him after the first. So, although |
still knew that he staid at the Hollies.
be might almost as we'll have been
across the wide ocean as far as l was
concerned. And yet, oh, no the sense
OF his presence seemed borne to me up.
o" every breath of the sweet summer
air that fioated into my room. 1 could
not sleep at night, nor rest calmly BY
day; and often, when Milly sat with
her friend, l used to wander out scarce
needing where l went, impatient only
Of rest.
One day, when this terrible yearn-
Ing was strong upon me, from force of
habit, and set out to walk to a p,ettv
wood at some distance. The cool, green
fragrance Of the leafy shadows was
grateful after the slaring sunshine, and
sat down t" rest where they felt cool
est. But sudden sound of laughter
and merry voices close at hand startled
me, and not willing to see who the
speakers were, ] got up and fled swift
ly down the darkest and most tangled
paths that branched away into the heart
OF the wood. 1 soon left the merry
voices far behind me, and slackening
my walk, wondered on, dreamy and
absorbed as ever, till suddenly turniug g
into another path, I saw what caused
me to stand still and forget everything
but what my eyes looked upon. Mark
Sunderland !! Yes, Mark, older, darker,
thinner, but Mark himself All, how
the green marshes aud the winding sea
wall AMI the lark singing far up in the
sky, all doated before my eyes, as saw
the downward bend of his stately head
look into the face beside him-the face
that looked up into his, with those soft
candid blue eyes, and smile upon the
soft parted lips. The smile seemed to
reflect itself upon Marks grave face for
an instant, and then he took up a little
hand lying on his arm, and kissed it
'enderly. I looked no longer; l crept
away; stricken with dumb anguish, a
dreadful sullcu despair, 1 crcpt away
and went home. For | knew the can
did 'lue eyes, the sweet smile, aud the
floating golden hair; they were my
sister MiIly's. Oh, had I not sacriic-
ed enough? Was my cup not yet so
full but that this bitter drop must be
added to its overflow?
So cried:in my anguish, and it was
long before better thoughts come to me,
or that coming, I could hold them firm
ly and take comfort But by-aud-by I
rose from whcre 1 had flung myself
down, and sat by the window to watch
for Milly. She came along presently,
in the quiet evening light, and I look
ed at her with my eyes freshly opened
had never yet ceased to think of he'
Us child. I realized in one momen,
how that child was woman. I looked
at the beautiful, fresh young face, and
involuntarily glanced at the reflection
Of my own in the mirror opposite.
never could have been in my best days
what Milly was; and now-I turned
away with sigh from the image Of that
faded woman, with pale lips and Teary
dark eyes.
| Milly came in the next instant, threw
off her hat, and coming up beside me
took my face between her two sof
hands, looked into it teuderly for :
minute, then kissed me, and sat dow'
With her arm around me.
"Rut, my dear, I have something I
tcll," she began with a strange trembl
in her voice, though she was smiiin!
too; "a wonderful thing"
"Don's you think I could guess il
Nilly dear p l asked, pressing the lii
} tie one to my breast.
, "You never could; and yet how you
heart is beating" she said, looking u
at me timidly; II believe you real'
! do" Then sinking her face to m!
shoulder once mora, she added almos
) in whisper, "Hester, he told me t.
; ask you whether you would see him to
morrow"
"He means Mr.. Sutherland, 9
: course"
"Of course, Hester do you mean t
! say yes ?" asked Milly, stealing anott
{ er Of those timid glances at me.
"My yes will go with yours, Mill
: DEAR" ="
q "God bless you, Hester my darling
: my dear, dear sister," cried Milly, fe
g veutIy; and for q long wtilo W. wei
D both silent. Nor, indeed, did she met
ton Mr.. Sutherland's name again, NJ