The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1872-06-27

frary, his mind went back to his own
grave doubts and forebodings, his own
anxious debate, when he had gone
along the starlit road thinking that, if
It were tor hoo''s happiness, he could
give her up. .
But, at least, there could be no doubt
that, as fat as she was concerned. he
had secured this happiness. At the
time, it could not bat pain him to sec
how exultantly she. flung herself on the
tide Of love which had flowed in. upon
her that much, at least, of unmixed de-
hght-that ono deep draught of the
fairy elixir of youth. The chapter was
short all chapters Of felicity are-but
at least, it Was very perfect while it
lasted and the end, when it came,
was better, by many degrees, than the
end which many women who love as
blindIy and foojishly as Mona Ran.
dolph are forced to endure.
Two months went by. Reluctantly
enough, Colonel Randolph had given a
formal consent to his daughters engage.
ment; the stir of gossip in the village
had died away, and Barry's position as
an accepted suitor was fully recognized
by all concerned. The golden-and-
scarlet glories, the blue haze, and soft
air Of October, had passed to that
shadowy realm where all beautiful
things go, when George Semple rode
slowly along one Of the country-roads
near Dornthrope, on a heavily-clouded
December afternoon. His own face
was somewhat overcast, for he had Just
LETT the bedside Of dying woman !;
but, as he came in sight of stately
brick house, set high on hill, with
terraces and shrubbery all around it, he
suddenly drew up his horse, and turn
ed into the gate, remembering that
there was sick child there whom be
had been called in to attend. AS he
advanced along the winding road
which led through tn, aforesaid shrub
berry to the front Of the house, he
came very unexpectedly upon coupl e
who were strolling under the bare
trees and over the fallen leaves, With
an air Of the greatest possible preoccupa-
ton One of these was a lady-a
syarkling-taced brunette, closely wra p
ped up, and leaning heavily on the
arm Of her companion. This com.
pan'ou was Barry.
"Good-even'ng, Miss LeGrand," said
Semple, uncovcring with a good deal
Of CEREMONY "fIow are you, Barry?'
he added, with ned to that gentle
man.
Then he rode on, his face shade
more overcast, and his mouth much
more grimIy set than before this en-
counter.
$50 there was some foundation for
| those stories, after ALL" he thought
"Good Heavens if they should reach
Mona's ears. I must speak to Barry.
l have avoided doing so before; but
there is no doubt now that [ must
speak to him"
He carried out his intention that
! very night. As Barry was sitting in
his cwn room, lazily smoking a cigar,
and trying to make up his mind to the
exertion Of going out to Col. Randolph's,
Semple walked in upon him, and began
ut once.
"Phil." he said, II have heard some
gossip about you lately but I did not
pay much attention to it until saw
you this afternoon With Miss LcGrapd.
Now, I think it right to It'll you that
sharp eyes are on you, aud YOU bad bet.
ter take care. The first thing you
know, Mona Randolph will Lear that
you are flirting with another womau.'
"Mona is not FOOL" Barry answer
ed, with sudden dark cloud coming
over his face, and he pitched his cigar
into the FIRE. *'She's not likely to be
jealous because chance to look at an
other woman. And, as for the gossips
George, they may go to the devil ~
II suppose you think that I may go
there too," said George, quietly. "Bu'
that is no answer at all. Without be-
ing either jealous or fool, Mona
would have right to teel Injured il
she knew that you gave twice as much
time aud attention to Miss LeGrand at
to her and, as for the gossips, they
could not talk if you did not give then
cause"
! "They may talk themselves boarse,'
vas the somewhat sullen reply.
"Have you heard What they say p
the other asked, deliberately.
81 don't in tue least care to hear"
"Tbey say" George went on, with
out noticing this uncivil retort, "that,
because Mona Randolph is compare
lively poor, you are ready to jilt her
for Miss LeGrand, who is an heiress. y
In moment dark-red flush rose to
Barry's brow, and instinctively, as it
seemed, he sprung to his feet.
at is a id lie !" he said, hoarse.
ly. "Semple, you know it is lie!'
eff I did not think so, I should not
be standing here how, speaking to
you like this" Semple answered. "But
I wanted to warr you that such things
are said, and that, if they once come
to Mona's ears, there is no counting on
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