Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-05-06


humors, was nearly eighteen, this love is Just
the love II had been from the frst-unharassed
by any doubt; undisturbed by any quarrel; un-
touened ey any passion fresh and gay, and CAD,
cast upon the lonely path that II forever crossed.
Walters widowed mother lived about two
miles nom us, at Easter-Hiil, and had very
comfortable property Of her own, which, OF
course, Walter would inherit. Poor Scot, her
step-son, had fifty pounds year Of his own: but
he had wealth enough in his deep. clear head;
and there was as much truth in Mrs Governs
Indifferent opinion, "Oh, Scot is sure to get on,
pennies a. he Isl" there was in the proud
addition, " Dear Walter would never have done
T. be poor" do not think Mrs. Cowen dis
liked Scot at all, she was only utterly indiffer-
ent about him, and neglected. OF him. Her
heart was 80 entirely filed by Walter, that she
really had no room for anyone else; not even
for PenBie, though do believe she tried to love
her because Walter loved her.
When Scot lett Oxford. where, with his tai
ents, and 100 ayear, he had won himself glo-
Tious hoDors, he became lay tutor for time, and
lived with us entirely. All my life shall be
glad and gratefulfor tbis, for he has Taught me
a no one else could lave done; making nv
studies pleasant and beautiful TO me. and rouS
ing me cheerily from the languid, idle life
which. in my weakness and inactivity. 1 might
80 easily have led. But during all Scots lessons
had one sore heartaehe, and this was through
Fe lLie's determination to have lessons with me
L arm all learnt, and Tor Scot 10 teach it to
her. And she would no: guess what knew so
well. Would not understand with hat a dan
geross mixture OF pain and pleasure, ami joy
q anguish, she troubled all his DAYS. Poor
SCOT IL would have been diff cult work to teach
nsr with her puzzling questions and frequent
lnaftentioD) IL he had not loved her; but, loving
Bef as he did, and knowing what he knew, /
did not wonder at the old, still look which was
creeping into his young face; my own watching
eyes grew dim as 1 read its unwhispered strug-
gle. And still, in defiance OF all my entreatieS.
FEMME would insist on being taught with me:
mastering quickly and brilliantly what INV
slower nature could not grasp; entering into
SCOTS opinions, and reading rapidly his only
i ha,dtnImea thoughts. Turning round and
voking words and glances at him; then daintily
ana proudly, IN his very presence, parading the
happy: trusting love she gave his brother.
All these things was thinking over, a had
thought them over many and many a lonely
time before, when the luncheon bell rang, and
Pennie danced in, that Walter might give me
an arm.
Il knew Scot was out. because I saw him
Plodding up Easter Hill, she said. What has
he gone home for"
told her I did not know, and she looked
across at Walter, rather puzzled. Then she
laughed.
"Iknow. Walter. lie is afraid your mother
may be frightened about Satanella, and he has
gone to resssure her."
hope he may succeed" replied Walter, a
little sneeripgly,
81 hope be has ridden Satanella HIMSELF
said; .. Not walked all that dusty, up hill road"
You may depend that was the reason, as D
say. II i. just the sort OF thing poor Scot would
be likely to do"
"'Poor Scot indeed" echoed Walter. And
slipped my hand from his arm, and went alone
into the dining room,
Scot did not appear through the meal, but
just "a Pennie had declared her determination
TO drive me Instead of riding, he came up to us:
his face was very white, as il always was when
he was tired or hot.
" ON glad 10 see YOU back to-day, Scot
said Waller, with a hearty emphasis, as lie or
dered Pepnie's horse; for We were nearly miss
ing our ride Come, Pennie, it will be doubly
valuable TO rs now"
IS Charlie" Wits pered Pennie, an old visit
fuiuess in her big, bright eyes, "vou look as if
you didn't want me to 20. Shall L drive with
you instead"''
laughed . negative; and yet l did fee!
this ride would bring them nearer together than
they had ever been before We watched them
OF. Then Scot took the reinS and We followed
inc IN through tue open gates, turning the oppo-
site way. We spoke very little to each other
We were real friends enough to lie silent to-
getheI when We would-and l. remember feel
ing oddly relieved when Scot drew the pony no
again before the door, and saw Walter loune-
ing there With his cigar.
" Charlie, Charlie" whispered Pennis, com
ing in TO me as j rested, and putting her arms
round my neck and her eyes close to mine:
some cay am going to-marry Walter. Are
you glad? My dear, dear brother, are yOl glad
for me, and glad for Walter, aud gIai for your
How could but be glad for her. With the dane
ing, lOve-tlled eyes so near 10 mine? How
could but be glad for Walter, knowing what
her love made ray own home? But h7w-weN
there was enough to prevent the words being
false WHEN told her | was glad.
Really. Charlie?"
kissed the quivsrins lips, ami told her Wal
ter would BE- a very happy fellow, an1 should
miss her sorely. The tears gathered in her low
ing ewes, and think we must bO.l have be-
haved very child SHY for few minutes, there
alone, in the tender evening Sunshine.
begged Walter to leave early that night, tor
fear his mother should be nervous about the
young, scarce broken horse he had brought: hut
be declined. He was so happy, and gay, ani
pleasant, that his refusal did not sound in the
lie asst harsh or unkind; and no one thought II 80.
He and Penne was so entirely engrOased by
each other that-my father being ont, and ; cot
having left the dining-rOom early and not ap-
peaIed since-I slipped away to the study
Here Scot was sitting with his book. He looked
up and smiled. but Law down without a word.
bis book without ranging for lights, aud still sat
leaning back in his low chair. | heard Satan
elias footsteps as she WAS being led down from
the yard. and sOon after Penne opened the door
softly and came up to me.
I" Are you so tired, Charlie, that you could
not stay with u.s." she asked. bending over
mine face en- which still fingered the parting
smile which had been given and received few
You did not want me, DEAR said, half
sadly, alf-iestingly.
- ln0eeC, lnOecQ We d.o she answered. ear
nes;ly, fancying, perhaps, that her own loving
feeling, must be shared by Walter, too. =" We
always shall. Am not yopr own and only
sister, Charlie? and is not Walter going 10 lie
vonr only BROTHER
Even in the diving light could see Scot raise
a sharp. questioning face; and. reading it,
agony. iDyountarilv laid INV hand on Pennies
lips. Then laughed nervoCsly at her ast0nish
ment.
:. SEQ. is waiting to hear your secret from
your own lips" i said, wishing with all my
heart that had told him myself while we sal
alone there in the twilight.
50 Oh. Scot, b" she began, with shy hesitation,
:. didn't see you; else would have told you
Al least i think 20, Tiff Walter hasn't"
You have kept Walter so entirely 10 YOUR
self little lady put in, hurredly, "that he
cappot have told anyone" .-
q. He-and l." said Pennie. in slow. happv
tones, but with timid, shrinking ewes as she
looked at him, "are-eng aged, Scot"
Yes, said Scot, quietly.
She paused minute, waiting for him TO say
more, then tossed back her bright little head
and looked down comicaly at me.
''Ought not Scot to cav he is glad, or some
thing OF that kind, CharlieP Isn't it considered
right"
1 saw that She was speaking at random, and
tb at her cheeks had flushed and her eyes filed
with tears ss che read what was so sadly ia
miliar to me IN the grave, Kind face.
think you need no congr atulatiors, dear"
! tsid, vaguely; ''you have enough in your own
Her little fingers closed tightly or nine, vet
she bad recourse TO her old petulant defiance
i'm me di ately.