Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-02-29
MI see ] q 70 e 0 u S.
HOW IT HAPPENED.
BY BEATRICE HUNTINGTON


was both, until she met Julian Dare then
pride and colduess slipped from her like
cloak, and to him she was tender, gra-
cious, womanly. The only other being
who had ever touched her heart since hel
parents died, was her orphan cousin, Del
la Leslie, and for these two, she some
times fanced any sacrifice would be light
"But not this, oh, not this she moan
cd, as from the window she saw them
Standing together io the autumn twilight,
his arm round her waist and bellies
rirgleted head resting on his shou der
heard his voice-how often she had thrill
ed at its low ues.-murmuring:
"My darling, my darling! How
could you treat mo SO colby. whea you
knew I loved you?"
Il thought you were engaged to her.
answered Della. Every one did. Sac
is beautiful aud rich, and So
"And SO you doubted me- But l
would as Don think of making love to
a statue. 1t is you want, my treasure
Let me hear you say, 1 love you Jul
liaa.'
And the answer came in trembling
tones.
II love you, Julian"
It was more than Lucia could bear
Sick and dizzy, she staggered from the
room unnotice2 by the others, the heavy
curtains having effec tually concealed her
from their view.
OHcc in her room, she sank into a
chair. only conscious, at first. of the dull
weight on her heart and brain. She had
been dreaming then, and this was AVA
kening.
All the sweetness of her dream that
even to her might come the crown OF
womanhoed-a true mans loye-that Ju-
liam Dare might call her wife. Even in
the darkness she crimsoned to the tips Of
her fingers, lest he might have guessed
her thoughts.
Proud and cold, some one had called
her. Well she could be SO again, and
under their friendly covering. hide her
bleeding heart. No one should guess
she had given heart suasked-least o al
these two. For how could Della help
loving him :? And she was so gentle, SO
winsome. so loveable, he must have been
less than man 10 have resisted her. She,
Lucia, had misunderstood his friendship.
that was all
The routine of life must 60 on, no mat
ter what hearts are breaking; SO the next
morning at the usual hour, Lucia de-
scended to the breakfast-room, where she
found Della gazing at the fast falling
rain, and twisting round on her finger,
pretty pearl ring which Lucia had never
seen before. The servants presence pre-
vented any mention OF the subject upper
most in the mind of both, aud Della, all
sorbeo in her own fancies, did not no
tiee her cousins unusual silence.
The storm now raging without woul,
prevent visitors, and throughout The day,
or in the long, quiet evening they would
spend together, she would ,el Lucia all.
When evening came and they were in
the parlor, aud Mss St. John seated III
the low chair by the fire, Della took her
iavorite place on a foot stool at her cous
ms side and laid her head On Lucia's
knee.
Miss St. John looked down at the
slight figure in its heavy mourning dress
-Della's father had been dead ouly six
months, and thought bow little f lied the
child was to bear sorrow, while suffering
and Lucia St. John we're old friends. So
thinking. she brushed back the soft curls
from the white forehead, and bending
down, kissed the flushed cheek, exposed
to view.
what makes YOU so quiet, little one 2"
"Oh, Lucia, he loves me, and | am
SO happy-so happy. See." and she held
up her hand where the ring shone in the
freight. for by whim of Lucia's the
gas was net lighted.
"Are you in love with him, tool"
$50 much that it frightens me; il |
lost b i'm it wonld kill me. And be is
coming tomorrow to ask you for me.
How odd it seems"
"Odd that he should love you p
"No, that you should be my guardian;
for you are really not much older, Lucia
Ten years, my love. You forget |
am twenty-seveu.
And you will say yes when Julian
asks you?" 4
"Of cour Sc. Why should nett"
was the hurried answer.
Julian thought"
"Aud Lucia thinks she could refuse
you nothing, for, Della and the dark
eyes grew suddenly misty with tears,