The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-12-19

Mira. Carlyle did not speak again for a
few minmtea The wind swept past the
window laden with 4eavy rain-drops, and
Maggie could see the storm clouds hurry
ing aeross the sky over the heaving sea,
and tear after tear dropped from hsr blue
eyes a. she thought of Guy whirilng
through the southern shires TO join his
regiment.
Maggie, said her aunt st last, you
remember when you returned from India
with your mother ten years ago, after your
fathers death, that you stayed some weeks
here before going to Scotlsndf'
Yes, answered Maggie, quickly, ''and
Guy was here with-With Aunt Carlyle. "
She hesitated at the last name, for it
was one she mad never before mentioned
to the aunt who had supplied the place of
q mother to her for seven years.
eyes, Guy was here-your grRndfather
was very fond Of him, poor boy, and be
often spent his holidays at Abbctsiyn. You
know, Maggie, that Abbotslyn is entailed,
and when your father died. leaving no
son, your uncle Carlyle became the heir,
though only distant relative"
Yes, Auntie.
And of course Guy is the heir now
the last of the Carlyles, for he was my
husbands only nephew. SO you will be
mistress of Abbotslyn some time, Maggie.
The girls head bent little lower, and
she clasped her ring tightly as she thought
that Guy might never place another
! there.
| With the soft loving touch that was
only for Maggie and Guy, Mrs. Carlyle
smoothed her niece's hair, and pausing
with flushed face and dropping eyes.
Her voice was very low when she went on.
"When the news came home that the
last of his brave boys had fallen in India,
leaving but little girl to bear his name,
your grandfather heart was nearly
broken. All his hope and love centered in
me, the last of his children, and he formed
a plan to keep Abbotslyn in the family
He sent for Mr.. Carlyle, whom we had
never seen, and he came on a visit here
with his little nephew, Guy-you remem-
Der him, Maggiel"
Yes, Auntie-a tall, handsome man,
with dark ha'r, aud eyes like Guys"
Yes, he was very handsome, and very
clever. loved him, Maggie. You can
not understand how loved him, child. /
was passionate woman, and loved him
with all my heart"
And he loved you, Auntie :" said
Maggie, softly, for Mrs. Carlyle had stop
ped, and was looking into the fire with a
strange, tender light in her eyes, while
her lips trembled.
He did at first, Maggie. | think he
admired me as much as one admires a
beautiful picture or a statue, and he liked
to talk to me, for | was clever, and had
re al great deal. But eventually he did
not love me, Maggie, though when my
father told hIm OF his darling wish to { e
me mistress Of Abbotslyn, he consented to
the arrangement by which it was to be
carried out, and We were engaged. l was
so happy Maggie-so proud Of him. Your
grandfather wished the marriage to take
place early, and the time was fixed for the
last week IN August. In June the --IAnes
Of woodscot came home from tour on
the continent. Eva Lane and | had al
ways been dear friends, and we were
good deal with each other She was to be
my chief bridesmaid, and helped me to
arrange my trousseau. Ii was a most
lovely June, and we used to spend great
deal of time wandering through WOodscot
woods, or by the sea-Eva and your uncle
and L. She was very pretty-a petite
beauty, with soft blue eyes and golden
hair-a dear little thing, with very little
mind and great deal Of heart. Ah. how
blind | was III my great love-how blind,
how blind NOT to see that the tender
light that shone in Roberts eyes was not
for me that the tremulous love that
thrilled his voice was for Eva, and not
for his phghted wife. He did not know it
himself, nor did Eva-we were all blind;
and the bright balmIy days few on over
the beautiful earth-morn, and dewy eve,
and starry night-weaving our fates. The
crimson rose leaves began to fall upon the
paths, the corn grew ripe to harvest-tide,
and my marriage day drew near.
For few weeks in July your uncle
left us, and then it was, think, he learned
that the woman he was about to marry
was not the woman he loved, and the
knowledge kept him from Abbotslyn, for
it was not till the week of our marriage
that he returned. Oh, Maggie, may you
never know-you never will know the pain
and bitterness Of awakening from such q
happy dream to a miserable reality! l re-
member shall never forget-the even
ing he came back Eva was spending the
day with me--she was looking thin and
pale, and was quieter than usual. We
we're in the library, chatting, when the
step we both knew 50 well sounded on the
terrace below, and | rose in loving eager
ness to welcome Robert. Eva did not
move, and she did not come down till tea
time, for We dined early then, as we do
now. After tea proposed a walk. Eva
would not 60 at first, till | entreated her,
and we strolled down to the sea-shore
Eva was very delicate, and noticing that
she had only thin muslin over her shoul-
ders, l ran back for a shawl. l was de-
tanned little i'll the house, and walked
slowly down to the rocks. The shadows
were gathering, and the evening star was
shining over the blue sea. l walked on
beside the waves, listening to their pleas
ant ripple and thinking pleasant thoughts,
till reached little rugged Promentory-
beyond Robert and Eva we're waiting for
me-and stood moment boxing across
the darkening ocean at the star of love. /
had turned togo round the rock when your
uncle's voice fell on my ears-he had a
very clear, musical voice, though now it
was trembling with pain
Eva, Eva said he my darling
81 passed steadily round the little
promontory into the cave beyond. They
were standing side by side, r 1bert clasp
ing her hand, and looking down on her
flushed, bent face, with his eyes full OF
tenderness. came forward very quietly,
for my pride was stronger than my love,
and my voice was steady when / spoke.
"'Eya, here is 3 shawl, dear. l wrap
ped it round her shoulders, for Robert
had drawn back, with such sad, weary
look on his handsome face.
"'I think we had better return home,
I said, ''it is growing dark.
Neither spoke, and we walked in silence
back, the stars sparkling above US, the
low ripple of the wave the only sound that
broke the stiffness.
Eva stopped at the gate. NV.
| Ill - - Elaapar' aatd ahQ