Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-11-25

You, shall be most happy"
MT. Ehs had begun somewhat scornfully,
out ne ended in tone OF deep pity and COM
passion, as he marked the traces of passion and
revengeful hatred I'm the old mans withered
lace, but he never expected what followed; he
uid not understand the intense maddening envy
that neryed the weak arm, and, breaking down
all the boundaries between right and wrong.
made the disappointed dreamer an Intended
murderer. Full on Mr.. Ellis head fell the blow
with the stick, and the young man staggered
and fell. a stream OF blood dabblng his brown
curls and forming little pools among the leaves.
With wild, eager glance Mary's father stopped
toward the young, handsome face. CHASTITY in the
growing darkness. One look and he fled away
each twistcdtTunk transformed into An aven ging
spirit whose voice echoed fiercely in the boughs
above aS the wind swept by.
Mr.. Ellis TOused from his swoon, and tying
his handkerchief around his. bleeding head.
managed to reach Fairleigh, where Mrs. Gay
with her own gentle hands bound up his head,
and persuaded him 10 stay the night. He would
not go TO bed, but lay down by the study fire,
and begged TO be read to; and Miss Arden being
the only good reader in the house, her services
were called into request. The invalid was now
almost glad of the blow that procured him the
Indulgence, for il was happiness indeed, to lie
there and watch the fiushes come and go on the
reader, 20 listen TO the strange, sweet voice with
its wonderful intonatiOn OF every thought and
feeling in the words.
In the evening he told her and Mrs Cav the
story OF his broken head, begging them not TO
mention il again; for" said he, - am sure he
must suffer enough, poor man, without any help
from me-"
And all because you wouldn't marry his
daughter! / never heard such a shameful thing.
Why, you never saw her, Mr.. Ellis" exclaimed
Mrs. Gay.
"And never wish to do so,'' he replied. 81
should be afraid OF my life of her Ii | knew
her and loved her, this evenings work would he
enough to drive every feeling of affection from
my heart. But that mans daughter can't be
loveable; besides" Mr.. Ellis stopped and
slightly COlored
- Besides WHAT" asked Mrs. GAY
John laughed nervously, he replied, {"
was going to say how perfectly impossible it
would be tor me to like her ii she were para
gOn."
Mrs. Gay smiled cOntentcdly, and with an
excuse about some letters, left the room.
Miss Arden had sat by the fire, looking steadi-
~ into the glowing embers, her face perfectly
hidden from Mr.. Ellis. She did not move when
Mrs. Gay went out, or speak, but sat like
statue, her hands tightly locked, and all the
beauty gone from her white, drawn features
But tine master of Ashton wasn't going to lose
this opportunity, weak and i'll though he felt
ana too eager TO say much. In a few simple
words he asked the gOyerness to be his wife.
She did not speak or move, and an utter silence
fell on the room, till John repeated his question
adding, Miss Arden, answer me; for PHYS sake
iet me see your face, for cannot rise; it is cruel
to keep Inc in suspense"
She rose now and stood by the table, the light
OF the chandelier falling clear and full upon
her face, speaking slowly and calmly, every
word falling on Johns heart like a lump of lead
mo, Mr.. Ellis, | refuse now and forever to be
your wife. Forget me, for we shall never meet
again. Goodbye"
Bowling with her usual gracefulnesS, she left
the room with quiet, steady steps, without one
look at the sOrrOw-stricken man she left alone
alone, without a hope; nothing but misery and
pain gnawingl at his heart, burning his brain,
DE strOye bravely with those demons OF grim
despair, but they were strongest and drove rea-
son from her hOnOred seat.
When Mrs. Gay returned she found Mr. Ellis
tossing on the sofa III a state of deirium, and
Miss Arden gone. The patient was carried to
Nd, and the doctor pronounced him danger
only i'll. Poor Miss Gay was sorely perplexed
with the whole affair." and a note she found on
the parlOr table from Miss Arden only served to
increase the mystery. She informed Mrs. Cav
that she was obliged to go directly; that a dear
FIJI nd of hers was supposed to he dying, and she
only had time TO catch the last train 10 London.
Mr. Ellis was very ill, but at length youth and
hs alth prevailed. and strength came back to his
limbs, ana sight To his eyes; but he never smiled
or seemed glad at his recovery, and the notherly
heart OF Mrs. Gay sOrely grieycd over the change
that had suddenly fallen on the CAV, light
hearted young man. She had heard from Mary,
who was still in London with her diving friend,
and Mrs. Gay decided that the young squre's
trouble was in some way connected with her
goyerness. One day, when he was nearly re-
covered, she gave him Mary's letter to read. He
DID not give II back to her till next day, and
then ii was blurred by something very much
like tears; but Mrs. Gay kept her own counsel
and let matters take their course, hoping for the
best.
Mr.. Ellis got well at last, and the first use he
made of his strength was TO 20 to London; and
Mrs. Gay feryently wished him God speed on
his journey, though his purpose had never been
mentioned between them. He left Fairleigh
loved by every one; the children, who had never
known their father, save in childhood, looked
upon him as the incarnation of all that was
manly and good; and yet with all the care and at
tention he received there, he hated the place,
hated Ashton, hated himself, and made up his
mind that, if lie failed i'll the purpose of his visit
TO London, lie would leave England forever.
CHAPTER III.
London was very dreary i'm the March mist and
ram, and the address of Mary's letter was in the
dreariest part of London; but John bravely made
bis way through slush and mud, and after sun
dry mistakes found CarstOn street, down behind
a pile of lofty warehouses, shut out from light
and air, yet bearing an air OF faded, almost for
gotten iespectability that made the present pOy-
erty appear more horrible.
Mr.. Ellis shuddered a he made his wav down
the street, hideOus even in the sOftening twi-
light he forgot the number, and stopping about
the middle. he courteOusly asked a woman with
q baby IN her arms, standing at one of the little
doors, If she knew a person by the name of
Arden there.
- No. don't sir" she replied; "but there's a
party OF the name of Ashton that lives in the
iront rooms up stairs; and if you're bailffI'd
thank you to 60 up and get my rent by hook or
by crook; for. If can't get it by asking, I'll
make emp paw it,"
III this the woman had shaken in n voice
pitched loud enough to reach the front rooms up
stairs OF every house on the street, including, OF
course, her refractory lOdgers.
Is Hush !" said Mr. Ellis. I" You shall be paid:
will go up and see them,' for he half believed
hat he should meet IL e old man who had struck
him down in the wood, and il seemed to him a
furious coincidence that Miss Arden and this
MIR. Ashton and his daughter should both be
living in this dismal SPOT.
With his heart full of pity for the lodger, he
ascended the ricketty stairs and entered the
fr' Mt room. 1t was perfectly neat and clean.
and an odd man, very near death, was living on
he wretched bed, and sitting by the window
vas still, female form, her face hidden by her
land. Mr.. Ellis crossed the rom and came to
he bedside.
" MIR. Ashton" he said, " what can / do for
rou?"
A sickly flush came across the diving face as
he visitor was recognized.
Forgive me, Mr.. Ellis" he replied; " it was
ny wicked passion, and fm very sorry"
Hush, Mr.. Ashton, you didn't hurt me much,
and it was all forgiven long ago. You will let
NE help you?
MIR. Ashton glanced at his daughter and said
would, sir, but Mary won't. I'm afraid
hes proud. Heaven pity her. but she's proud.
-. She must. L will persuade her," returned
John in the same tone, and he crossed to the
window where Miss Ashton still sat, her face
hidden in her hands.
"Miss Ashton, as a friend and relation, will
Iou let me speak to you frankly, let me help you
Is a brother mlght?'
''You are very kind" she replied softly, taking
Ter hands from her face.