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

ul cllSlpn Ill nCr NuOcSty'S TN Kegl-
ment, and under orders to join the head
quarters in Canada. ] had fortnight's
leave, and as the cottage my aunt had
taken was within mile of the manor,
spent most of my time with Bell. Yet
when the parting came, was no nearer
being in love than the day met her
first. We had not quarrelled, simply, |
| thought, because neither of us cared |
enough for the other to do so. Not a !
word relating to the future had passed
and yet | was quite sure Bell knew all
about her destiny, and almost as equally
sure that she did not like it.
The til had only to complete its
term of foreign scrvice so by the time
Bell had gone through couple of sea-
sons, | was at home again.
BY the death of Il sister, my aunt had
become guardian to little girl, NIilly
Ryan by name, who, at eleven years
old, was one of the brightest, loveiest
lgirls | had ever seen. We We're friends
at once; | was "Cousin Haln by adop-
ton, and Milly was my champion, my
, second, my backerup. Bell, looking
! on with scornful Indifference while
0 Milly's very impetuosity and enthusi-
asm made my Cousins GOODNESS more
palpable: a coldness which suppressed
all my meditated attempts at lovemak.
ing, and somehow continually remind.
ed me that it was not necessary that we
should act as ordinary engaged couples
did.
So, though we rode, walked, anC
drove together, spening most of ou1
> time in each others company, l again
. went back to my duty, and carried q
- whole heart with me. When anothe
year had passed, my fatherbegan urging
&, our marriage. SO | wroteto Bell, asking
her to fix day. She madea very mat
ter-of-fact reply, only asking to defer il
for six months; and almost before
had time to think the matter over
rt tidings of the mutiny in India brok
over Europe; and thc-th were ordered
to prepare for embarkation. | got
- weeks leave and ran down to Devon
shire. Bell looked, l thought, evel
= colder than usual, and listened passive
ly to my enthusiasm about fighting
promotion, and glory. Not so did Milly
e. whose face was picture in itself; he
y color would deepen, her great eyes kin
die, and with every nerve tingling, sh
would stand facing me as | spoke; some
times, too, she would crouch down an
'r clasp my arm ,whispering,-"I love 20
-, best of all, cousin Hal; and | wish
'c. was a boy, and then no one could sto
me going with you; but girls are sue
stupid, useless things, they can do notl
ing"
re The night before my departure ha
come, and somewhat softencd by II
approaching parting, somewhat pique
by Bells apparent in5ensibisity to whi
-, the increasing intelligence from Ind
convinced every one would be shal
ec. and perhaps long struggle, | had talke
'- rather more that | was wont about IL
uncertainty of soldiers lot. Sudden
- Milly, who had been sitting upon Il
ground, jumped up, and cried,-
"rll he IL woman when you come bac
-, Cousin Hal"
Nv "Ay," said ! bitterly, ''if | ever con
y back. But many poor fellow Will hl
- the dust before we leave India again.
~ w. Bells face grew paler, and her eyeli
~ quivered, but she said nothing; uni
w. looking at Miily, who stood with II
~ ewes dilatcd and her hands claoped, 81
al said,-
nu You are frightening echild, Harry
u' $50 he is not" cried Milly, wild
ny clcnching her hands. "He is trying
7ie frighten you, and youwon't be frighte
~, ed because YOU don't love him.
,so leve you would not care bit II he W
ou killed"
o,- Here Bell got up and walked aero
the room, and Milly, who had lost COZ
mond other voice, dashed away upstal
nd and returned no more.
Put off last words as you Will, III
re, must come and in the dim little ara
lid inr-room, lighted only by the wood-h'
ne. | babe good-by to Bell, with somethl
my very like Il pang ut my heart, ah'
say newly awakened sensation l haru
)ur knew how to account for. My aunt
ing one ofthUsc women to whom wet
/, inp is necessity, there were plenty
the tears: and when looked back from
threshold | saw Bell knecling by
mother, comforting her of course
was very nice to know the tears W
ear shed in sorrw for me, and loved |
low aunt right dearly, but was notgolhs
VA marry her; and confess wouldralI
ven have seen the mother comforting
'hE' daughter.
'ith Going through the garden, down
=" walk by the laurels, upon whose br'
zen, glistening leaves the moonlight SUI
ute like frosted silver, | saw someth
en- white standing in my path; the II
had instant NIilly clasped her h"ha7 ro'
ome my arm, crying
the "Did you think l was a ghost oo'
10 Ialw
,een 81 believe | did. But what on Ell
, by are YOU doing here alone"
Ives "Waiting for YOU. | was is sue
ther rooe dared not stay in the room
nav pretended to go to bed, and came
hge- TO waylay you, just to be the very
p'. to say good by"
AIRY "Good by then, Milly. Make h
{ -, rs and grow "A woman, ana theh II
Ut II dons not care for me, I'll marry you
io ~ "Wil you really" Thank you'