The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1868-02-20

station"
.e,5 u like being in good time," replied
Adriana.
!'.''Fight o'clock then," said Mr.. EtI.
eredge.s Sand now, Miss Linden" he
continued, ''lnay [ ask few minutes Of
your time?" ;:
''Ce'tainly," answered Adriana won.
der'ng what Mr. Etheredge could have
to say to her. ~
But Mr.. Etheredge having obtained
the desired permission, did no. exactly
know how to make use Of 1t.
IL am afraid you have sometimes
thought mo extremely unciyil Miss
Linden, disagreeable, almost imperti-
nent, in trying to read your thoughts
and motives ?"
Adriana was silent.
"Will you give me your true opinion?
l shall be obliged for it,"
II have watched you closely: I
ought to ask your pardon for 50 doing.
out "ae interested. 1 felt that there
was some mystery Connected"
Adriana started, and the color, flush.
ed into her face.
MY affairs can be of importance to
myself alone," said she; II do not see
Why you should wish to understand
them"
| "Neither do I. But became inter.
ested' and consequently watchful. 1t
was from no desire to annoy you," be
added, seeing that Adriana's color went
and came. "Pardou me if I distress
you."
II do aot comprehend what right"
she began.
mo right at all; let us set that qaes-
tlon aside. You were an enigma to me
tnat l was determined to solve. You
were partly aware Of it, and resolved
| that l should not be satisfied. We had
: mutual edlstrust, and we're in measure
At war. Are We At peace now"
II suppose so," returned Adriaua
more aud more perple1ed; s'but surely
it is unnecessary to recall the past. The
present is the only needful considera.
ton. leave Etheredge Court to-day;
never to be heard of by its inmates
again; aud my only desire is, that 1
should fade away from their memories.
leave acknowledging the kindness
that have met with here. No more
need be said"
~ beg your pardon, Miss Linden,
but l cannot agree With you. You have
promised to hear what have to saw.
aud the time is not up yet. 1 must 20
on from where I left off. I watched YOU
closely; knew there was some strue-
gle going on in your mind, but I knew
also that whatever it was, the right
would 10 the end triumph. No, I mus.
60 on" said he, as be saw Adriana pre.
pared to inturrupt. Il grew more obser-
want, more interested; I found in you a
woman different from any l had seen or
imagined. My prejudice broke fairly
down, and l began to believe that a
woman might be sensible, yet not dis
agreeable, clever yet not pedantic. In,
fact-in short, Miss Linden, though I
scarcely knew it until few hours ago
II loved you"
There was pause, Mr.. Etberedgc
stood With his arms folded, looking
steadfastly st Adriaaa, who had risen
Is he spoke, and now stood facing him,
her figure drawn up to its full height.
"And I suppose, Mr. Etheredge, you
expect me to be obliged for your great |
condescension ?'
~ do not expect it, Miss Linden"
"What do you expect? What do yvu |
intend me to answer?"
II have asked for no answer vet: I !
do not ask for one. What I hare said |
must be 50 unlocked. for by you, that
you cannot be prepared to give me the |
answer I wish. Will you not think OF !
what I have said, and If"
But Adriana interrupted him.
'Thiuk" said she, scornfulIy. |
"Whas should think Of Mr.. Ether
edge, who BY his own confession, has |
sought to discover what he knew 1 |
would have kept uukuown-the conflict
that ho saw was going on, but that l
eodeavored not to betray? Aud so he
dogged my footsteps, aud tried BY every
means to solve an enigma, that baffled
that amused him."
"Amused! Miss Linden ~
But she went on.
"Ras it kind? Was it generous? I
knew you looked down upon nc, that
you distrusted me, that you doubted
Mn. Braddick's wisdom in sntrustine
her children to my care. You have act
| cd the part Of = spy, and now you ask
me to believe"
>."That as I have made an honest CON-
fession in one case, there is no reason
to doubt my doing 90 in the ether"
Adriana looked up for . moment:
Mr.. Etheredgs hAd not moved, he was
still gazing steadily At her, his lips were
compressed, but his eyes had the same
quiet, searching expression that had 20
! nffon 'snnnvo1 Adr;.na lafo.o and