Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-05-25

ever uareu 90 IL.
I'm not afraid of anybody who
comes back from the land of shades"
laughed Bernard and then he forgot
what he had said in looking at Gertrude.
There are times when the battle of
life seems too hard for us. We cannot
always row against the stream, and now
and again one lays down the oars, and
drifts happily with the current.
Such was the present moment to Ger.
trude Stanley. She had been so beset,
SO sorely tried, and now she had fallen
upon a pleasant rest.
| With this beautiful nature all about
| her, with this delightful home and at
mosphere, and the tenderness of a strong
love, what could she do but be happy !?
Her shoft eyes shone, crimson roses
lived in her cheeks. and Involuntary a
blithe melody overran her lips.
You like it, Gertrude? p he said
wistfully.
"Ies, like il "
She could hardly trust herself to say
more and Bernard, being man of
exquisite tact, was silent. Pretty soon
he said:
Let me show you your own rooms"
A suite of apartments in the wing
that overlooked the garden had been
metamorphosed at his command into n
bower almost too lovely for mortal
maiden to dwell in.
Mrs. Give chartered fast in her de
| light.
He means you to live sumptuously
| He will make you think you are prin-
cess she cried. "And yet, mon Dicu ="
returning to the French phrases pick ed
up in her school-days, "to think that Il
little gliding, and few mirrors, and a
trihe of pink silk and muslin, could do
it! All, Gertrude, but there was some
thing else to the fore"
| While the happy sense of his good
ness filled her soul, there was yet an
undercurrent of pain.
Does he mean to buy me with his
magnificence ?" said her thought.
And he, reading it so easily with the
keen eyes of love, said, earnestly:
I" know, my darling, you would love
me just as well if were u beggar"
"Indeed | wouldr' she whispered.
| He went away, and left her standing
there with this thought in her heart-a
subtle stroke of policy, if he had con
sidered it; but it was only his fine tact.
Gertrude sank down into the luxuri,
GUS arm chair. TWAS just type of the
delicious repose that might fill her
whole life, if she only would.
And why not? She had endured the
hardness in her youth. 1t is no un.
heroic thing for delicate, fine cultured
girl to take up the role of governess
and the children, even of the best
families, are not young angels, gener.
ally. But Mrs. Give had been so kind
to her, and let her see society when she
would. She might have had her Adonis,
but until Bernard Give came. with his
manifold destinations, all men had been
as shadows. To him she had half sur.
rendered, a shy, reluctant captive.
But last night Mrs. Give had kissed
her, and called her sister.
You ought to he happy. Nobody
could be more in love than he is, and
Bernard is good fellow. He has had
his Interpretations, sans doute-they all
have. But he is as good as the rest"
What could Gertrude's pure heart
know of the sins of the great world
Kitty Give, with her four years in Paris
was a thousandfold wiser. 1t she had
any misgivings, she hushed them in hel
heart.
Gertrude will be the making of him
and, in spite of that unfortunate affair
Bernard is not bad fellow"
In his own room Bernard was very
much at ease as to his hopes. He was
sure of her for whole month, and he
had taken care to invite only ladies OF
ineligible men to help them pass the
summer.
And now, with all the signs of afiiu
ence about him, Bernard was thinking.
F" | am lucky fellow" ran the solil
oquy. elf Cousin Robert had lived a
day longer, the entire property would
have gone to the Morton Willoughbys.
If had gone to Egypt instead of com.
ing home last fall, | might never have
seen Gertrude. 1t really seems as if all
had been providentlally arranged.
Pshaw!'
He interrupted himself, and knocked
the ashes from his pipe vehemence.
"As if Providence would do any thing
for me--as if it had forgotten that old
grudge against me. Curse it wish |
could forget it myself"
He wheeled around in his chair and
brought himself face to face with por-
trait which hung upon the wall.
1t was lovely pjcture-a fair, girlsh
face, untouched as yet by sorrow, but
with a mourniul, foreshadowing fate in
the dark, beautiful, tender eyes.
:. wonder now" unused Bernard, "bv
what perversity of self torlnenting keep
that picture before my eyes. | have
said to myself hundred times that
would destroy it. Poor little May |!
You keep remorse alive, do you know,
and you safe in heaven these ten years.
Heaven ! If there was one, May, do
you think it would not overtake me
with wrath? You said remember
that one day the punishment would
come. 1T tarries long, poor little pious
May The grass is green onyour grave,
and II am in love again"
He looked steadfastly at the portrait
as he spoke, and it seemed to him that
the face dIlated, stood out from the can
vas, and almost would speak. Gradu-
ally, too. new consciousness grew upon
him. All the color driited out of his
face
Good heaven" rousing himself,
| with u sound like groan. "Fool that
| didn't know it before! My God, what
a complication ~
He dropped his white face on his
arms, and the table and chair shook.
A whole long hour passed before he
lifted his head. When he did, his coun.