Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-11-23

NaSeu, "heh suddenly she looked up a. IL b.
instinct and saw the objects of her thoughts
clsSe a. hand. She started on one sid TO get
away through the trees, but Lord Wasserleigh's
voice brought her to a stand still.
"GeriTude, ~ how strange he had not called
Ter that for many dayl-"Gertrude, | want %
iutroc uce you to my sister,"
The manner with which she received his com
municstlon did not escape Lord Westerlei CHS
NOTICE, although be was very far non attribut-
ing II 10 its true cause. The change OF expires
sion seemed TO him TO indicate extreme sur
prlsei and one day he asked her why.
Miss Cover bad gone away again for time
before coming TO settle at Westerleigh for good.
And one lovely evening in June Lord wsster-
leigh had rolled into the villa, aud was stand
irg with Gertrude at the drawing room window.
why were you so astOnished when intro
quired.
"Because l never thought she was your sis
ter, replied Gertrude.
"WhO, then, did You take her for?'' he asked
"Why," said Gertrude quietly, 81 thought
she was the lady who was to be your wife,
'My wite?" Lord Westerleigh's broad brow
contracted, and he bent his blue eyes sterulY
upon Gertrude's unconscious face. She was
gazing out into the fair twilight, but not 50
dIeamlly As minute ago.
"My Wife!'' he repeated, and the sternness Of
his voice recalled her attention. She looked up
, at him and cOiOred slightly.
/ "What chance is there OF that now?'' he con-
I hBued "It any had cared for humble ID avid
Cover II would have been different; but now
rank and wealth are in the WAY how shall ]
learn to believe that might be loved for ms
; SELF"
It was scarcely the passing breeze that made
Gertrude SILVER rom head TO foot.
al don't know" she said through the pain his
worcs bad reused. 'If you cannot believe in
any one you Will never know"
| Hot and fast ia the twilight tears were spring
ing 10 her eyes. She had nearly turnei round
and rushed away, but his voice stopped her. He
spoke very sOTrOWfuliy-"I believed onse.D
Whether Gertrude would have thrown herself
! (hguratively) at his feet, and entreated him TO
believe again, it is impossible to say: for the
| maid, opening the door, brought in the lamp;
| upon which Lord Westerleigh said Good
| night" hastily, and went away.
Alter that Gertrude was from home for some
| time, visiting her mothers friends aud when
| she returned found the L'Estranges at Wester-
| leigh Park. An arrangement had been made
| in her absence-blT. l. Estrange had discovered
| at last how things were, and Mr.. MeviIle's
| great desire 70 90 TO Italy; therefore to italy
| he had promised to send them and start them
| fairly there. Ii was with Pang OF despair that
| Gertrude first heard the news-and 10 go Sd
| soon, too! this was the end of September, sui
| they were to 90 in months time. But she
| got over the Despair, and came to the cOnclu-
| sion that, after al, she should be happier away
| from Lord Wosterleigh than continually har-
raised 10y his presence, for their Intercourse
| with each other now had become distant and
| cold. Iva still joked her about him and de-
| Clared she could not understand it at all.
"FOr you know, Gertrude, you did care for
"And what if we dido" Gertrude asked, bit
| terly.
Eva gave her a scrutnizing glance and was
very much puzzled.
"Wen, dear, never mind! you will see soma
THAT Gertrude might find some one there
| Mrs. L'EstrsDge happened casually 10 remark
/ that evening in Lord WesteTleigh's presence.
| MT. L'EStTange chopped s0,' and called his
/ wife's attention to a book he was examining.
/ Then Eva turned to Lord Westerleigh, and
| said, in her OF hand, laughing way:
''Nou were her first love- you knOw!"
''YOu Halter me, Miss L'EstraDge," he quietly
/ replied; but his color changed.
81 never fatter!' laughed Eva.
! Iouly toward her.
80. never pledge myself to anything!
! Where Is mamma going?' And Eva, fearing
/ to be questioned further rose from her seat and
/ left him.
| Tomorrow the Melvi,Ies were to leave wes-
| teIleigh. The October twilight was falling
/ fast. Lord WesteTleigh had been 70 bid them
goOd-by, and was gone. The last finish
sat down 10 rest.
Unjust see him once more, !" said Gertrude
| TO herself, a. shs hurried across the park with
an uncomfortable sob rising now and then in
her throat.
An old public path rose close By one side Of
the hCuse-a gable end, iuttiDg out by itself,
and containing On Its ground floor Lord Wcstcr-
ieigh's own study. lauTels had been planted
IN front Of tie window to screen &c from the
tOctpath, and although the latter was now dis
useG, the shrubs were still allowed to grow
thick and tan.
TO this spot Gertrude hurried her steps. The
evening was Gardening, Sc there was no fear OF
discovery, ana she hoped to catch one glimpse
OF his belOved face before the shutters were
closed. With 4 beating heart She opened the
little gate AM, gliding into the shelter of the
l&uTes, glanced at the window. she wa, not
disappointed; there, in the freight, with his
dog lying At lis feet, sat Lord Westerleigh. But
she had only time 10 observe that bis face was
buried in his hands when the dog sprung to-
wards the window with q gTOWl. Gertrude
grew cold with terror. Escape was impossible
and discovery DexttO certain, for the dog, tear
II at the window, retu-ed to b quoted. Lord
Westsrleigh, WHO bad fO.lOwe him, nov opened
the ass door, and the animal rushed at the
laureIs. No sooner had he reached them, how
ever, than his bark ceased, and he began TO
tawn ana wag his tail, knowing Gertrude well.
She was covering back INTO the shrubs, her
face hidden in her hands.
"GertTUds! Can it be you?' asked a we'll
known voice. 'fWhat are you doing here?"
Turning from him with a throDbing heart
and burning cheeks, she told HIM the truth.
He made 10 reply, but led her in, and closed
the door again. lie felt she was trembling viO-
lently, but be did not ask her TO sit down; he
let her stand beside him by the fire. The hope
full doubt he had aroused in his heart was salts
ned now, and be was 20 happy thaths could at
"But Gertrude, was once a common
farmer"
81 only wanted to see you once more through
the window before went away. You know we
used to be friends"
Once more through the darkness they walked
back across the park and presented themssl yes
before the sstonished eyes OF Sir. and Mrs. Mel
vile.
David was very abrupt. ''YOu must stay
another week" he said, land leave me q Wife"
They did so, and At the end OF the week drove
away TO the station, leaving Gertrude and Lord
Westerleigh at the church door.
And quietly through the brown October
woods, through the golden light OF October
days, with the full, sweet spring time of love in
their hearts, the bride and bridegroom walked
home.
go, dont!" she cried; don't be so cruel now.
Let us be friends, and say goodbye" AMI she
burst into tears.
essay goodbye, little one? Never again, my
darling, never agaiu!"
AND, taking her in his arms, he held her there
as if. indeed, he never meant to let her go
gain.
80, David, David! DO you believe me now?"
said Gertrude, her voice smothsred in his broad
breast; "that only said it because-be cause"
He interrupted her teuderly.
Never mind-because you loved me, dearest.
., child, what a fool have been!"
She tiled 10 answer, but he took it in the way
he liked best. And she was silent in her full,
deep joy, thinking IL must be dream to stand
there in tie red freight with Davld's arm to
rest on.
so, David" she said at length, clinging to
him, it cannot, cannot be true"
THANK God, IL isl" he murmured, "a he
raised the little wstful face to his and held 1t
there.