The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-06-28

| Dell are tllck ana ii III was MT that .
knowed the truth, sir, of her and you
ia believe what the country says bu
then l knows better, and more,-the,
do say, he's just the same as n Roman
priest, and could not marry"
All this did not tend to increase IN,
satisfaction, al though it did awaken
terrible, and to me an unaccountabl,
tumult in my mind. The more triet
to analyzc this, the more hopelessly
pcrplcXed | became, until it suddenl,
began to dawn upon me that perhaps
after all, / was in love with Bell. Ther
came the remembrance of her GOODNESS
the six years collapsed,-I read her let
tiers over again, and, taking my stick
went off to the cottage. Bell was in the
draWing-room; it was too dark to SCI
her face, but her hand lay passive ant
cold as lead in mine as we stood togeth
er, waiting my aunt's coming.
" 1t is sad return, Bell,', | said, ant
then her hand shook, but gave no sym
pathetic pressure. zone expects chan
ges in six years." went on, thinking
of the curate, "but there are some hard
er to bear than death"
She drew her hand away and turned
partly round; but, before she spoke
the door opened and Aunt Mary came
in. Dark as it was, l could see how
broken down the six years had left her
"My dear boy" she cried, falling on
my neck, 81 began to think l too would
be gone before you came home. Why
did you stay away so long, Harry?"
L looked at Bell, she was standing in
the window, only the faint outline of
her figure visible. She moved towards
us, and touched her mothers forehead
with acaressing hand, saying
Don't reproach Harry tonight,
mother; let us be content that he has
come. Tell her of the war, Harry, and
how you were wounded; the friend you
got to write was not explicit, and you
never explained matters"
She stood by the fire, leaning against
the chimney-piece, and looking down
at me as l sat upon a low ottoman by
my aunt's chair.
1T is rather a long story, aunt"
said; "but the cleaning is good for
storytelling, and you won't see my
bushes. So beginning with my land
ing, [ went faithfully through my ex-
pericnces. When reached that part
relating to my wound, and as
spoke of Bells letter having OBJ
tanned the credit of saving my life, she
walked back to the window; and when,
having concluded my story, turned to
look for her, the window was open, and
Bell disappeared.
Even the story she might in common
politeness have stayed to listen to, had
it not interested her; but before 1 had
time to think much of the circumstan-
ces the door flew open and an eager
voice asked. "Where is he, aunty?
They told me he was here" 1t was
Milly; and as she came feeling her
way among the chairs and tables in the
dim light, l met her, and had her in my
arms before either of us well knew, it
and my arm was still round her, when
what little light there had been, van
ished; and Bell came in by the window
again. Milly slid away, but her hand
still held mine with warm clinging
Clasp.
How fond you are of the dark, -
said Bell, going up to the fire and FUN
bling about for lighters. Milly sat
down and her face coming on level
with my hand, I felt it drawn forward
and pressed to her lips, then thrown
away as she said,-
"Now then, Bell, light all the can
dies, and as the light fell upon Milly
l was startled by the change. The six
years became fact at once, since they
had converted the child into blooming
lovely woman. Something of my
thought must have shown itself in my
face, for Milly's cheek grew crimson
and the bonny blue eyes sank.
" How you are changed, Harry"
cried Aunt Mary. And turning to an
swer her, saw Bell in the full light.
She was Il little stouter, her hair was
dressed in different way, there was a
brighter color in her face than remem-
bered to have seen before, and deeper
light in the full hazel eyes that looked
back into mine still she seemed UNI
changed, and the years collapsed again.
elf it was not for NIilly, could
scarcely believe so many years have
passed since | went away, aunt" said
| "Bcll does not look bit different"
Ny growing days We're over before
you went away" said Bell, quietly
81 cannot say you look the same; but
then climate and all that may have
changed you"
And so we fell to talking again. 1t was
a strange evening; NIilly did not speak
much, but | knew she was watching
and listening. Bell talked as quietly as
If | had been away only week; and
| threw out Il hint about the
curatc, and told them of Mrs. Vigne,
how she had put me up to Devon gos-
sip, | made nothing of it, and as |
walked home, was utterly miserable
and dissatisfied. | wished Milly had
been my f0ncee, and yet | hated the
unseen curate, and mentally aDlured
Bell as a heartless fiirt. |
When | got to the cottage next day the
girls were out, and my aunt lying down,
So. sheIterlng myself from the sun in
a summer seat covered in by Roman
crecpers and hOneysucllle, l lay down
to enjoy cigar and make up my mind I,
how / was TO begin the conversation / .
...,l .I,,,r,,i,,J L 90, nnl ,Ibi,b Nlos tn /