The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1873-12-04


evening dews began to fall; then he
saw the foggy signals rise on the
breast of the Cor, and remembered
the voice that used to warn him OF
their danger. What on earth had he
come here for? He crossed the bridge,
and heard the familiar wheel, without
wishing to hear it. He got away to
the old inn by the river, and asked
for lodging. At first the landlady
stared at him as she would at a stran-
ger in that quiet place; then sudden
ly, with start, she gave him the
usual courtesy, and led the way to
his old room. Mr.. Caperne paused
on the threshold, and held back.
"Can't you put me somewhere
else!" he said, with a ittleimpatience.
''But no, never mind; perhaps this is
best after all.
The landlady thought too. She
watched him throw down bis KNAPP
sack wearily; she tried in vain y to
tempt him in the matter of supper;
and when his persistent replies that
he only wanted rest and quiet, and
should remain but one night, drove
her to the last extremity, she went
forward with some hesitation and un
locked the drawer which used to con
tain the artists mysterious painting
eff you please, sir" she said, "the
packet"
''The packet7" repeated Mr.. Ca
perne, vacantly. II left none that I
am aware OF.
''No, sir" she replied; "but the
young lady-Miss Dudley-Miss
Lucy, as she is called about here"
"Well, what of herr" said Noel,
turning sharply from the window.
'Nothing, sir" said the landlady;
''only she left this; it's years ago now
We were to forward it, but we never
could find out where. We've kept it
safe, sir, and I'm sure"
"Thanks, interrupted Noel "Leave
it, please. Good night"
When the landlady was gone, Noel
got up and locked his door He
struck his hands together roughly as
he sat down again, for they were
trembling, and then he opened the
little parcel which Lucy had left.
Noel laid it down upon the table be-
side him, and put his hands over his
face, with gasp. It was the little
painting he had done for her-the
bunch of violets. Did ever flowers
look at him with eyes like those be-
fore? For the moment, when the
woman first spoke, it had flashed
across him that she was going to tell
him Lucy was dead. He sat there
terror-stricken still at the shock. It
had never occurred to him in all these
years that she might suffer even as
his little sister suffered. His own
misery, his own pride and vengeance,
left no room for such o thought; but
it came to him now, as he sat with
her token before him, and remember
ed all. What had he done? He nev-
er knew how long he sat there; the
landlady declared that she heard him
walking up and down all night like a
mailman, or some one who had COM
,nitted a great crime, as indeed, who
could answer for it that ne had not?
But it was late in the morning when
he left his room, sane enough to all
appearances, dressed very much as
he had been used to dress five years
ago, and took the path towards Cor
ven Wood, careless of the curious
eyes that watched him.
It was in the sweet freshness OF
early Summer that Noel Caperne
passed once more into the well-known
shrubbery, and found Lucy amongst
her flowers. She stood up when she
saw him, and then the color left her
face, and she drew back the hands he
would have taken.
: "Lucy, Lucy!" he cried, ''won't you
speak to me? Won't you forgive met
81 have nothing to forgive" said
Lucy, coldly. She had been strong
er than the little girl who was at rest
| in the churchyard on the hill. And
then, seeing his altered looks, she
added, faltering a little, "My broth
er-"
l "What drew me hither, Lucy?
l could not know that 1 should find my
2 poor little painting waiting for me,
e rejected. You have conquered thro
S your token; take it again from me.
3; A little while they stood silent,
= Lucy trying to be calm, Mr. Caperne
e to read the face that changed SO Of
t ten. At last he spoke again.
' Il have loved you so long and SC
= well, Lucy; I have been so wretched
wanderer; give me hope"
, "Your vow?' said Lucy, briefly.
e ''Was wicked, and ought not to be
t kept" said Noel. 81 wait to give my
0 hand to Julian Dudley, if he will take
+ it. Let me see your face, that I may
e know if I am forgiven"
e She raised it to him simply, with
e the sunlight on it, and he put out his
= arms.
D ''You will not send me away, my
love?" said Noel.
''No," was the low muttered reply
The following tender missive was picked
z Al - roo,,, Of he ly-ar