The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-12-01

hands together lest be should Sc,
them tremble, and looking at him
her white lids dropping little.
How beautiful she was! the sol
dier's face flushed little with prid,
as he looked at this queenly girl, BIZ
promised wife.
'It is rather damp, my darling" b.
returned gaily.
She played with the rings on be-
fingers, loosening one, . bright clus
te- of diamonds, and half drawing il
of.
"This old house is dreadfully dull
am utterly miserable here-utterly
miserable l'
"Maude !" her lover cried, in grave
reproach.
Her eyes flashed as she looked up
at him proudly.
"Don't you think it must be dull,
with these two old women for nv
companions !"
He bent over ber eagerly.
at must be dull, dear, | know.
Don't spend the winter here. Let it
form our honeymoon, passed in sun
ny Italy, my darliug.p
Her proud lips quivered with pain,
but she laughed lightly.
IL shall not spend the winter here.
| am going abroad-to Paris;
have friends there, and shall see a
little of .be world, l do not know nv
own heart, Lawrence"
Lawrence bit his lip with annoy
snce.
Il hardly understand you; you
are In strange mood too"
She went on recklessly, twisting
that bright betrothal ring
at was hardly fair to claim nv
promise so soon Lawrence-I am
fettered before know anything of
the worlds real life. They may be
golden chains to you; to me they are
simply CALLING"
The insulting words stung him to
the quick.
"Fetters do you cali your words of
promise / have 70 wish to chain
you, Maude-Miss Thornton, if you
aill," he returned hotly.
She rose up, playing carelessly
with her rings.
They are fetters-easily broken,
though, when no love binds the links
together There take back your
ring"
She slipped it off and held it out
laughing the while He clasped her
wrist, and the ring dropped between
them
What do you mean? Are you
playing with me ? 1t has gone too
far for a joke"
Loose my arm, Captain Gary
you hart me. l tell you my p. omise
has become CALLING chain / like
you, you know, but not well enough
to give up better chances in life.
am handsome-I have ten thousand
a year. A Captain in a marching
regiment is not good parti."
For heavens sake stop!" be ex-
claimed hoarsely, II won't reproaeh
you, Maude-I am glad You have
dropped your mask You are not
worthy of an honest mans lovel
will crush mine as crush this bau-
BILE !" He stamped upon the glim
mering diamonds with his heel as be
spoke.
For shame! You have spoiled 8
ring worth the rector's yearly in.
come !" she exclaimed, lightly.
But be heeded not the words il
his angry pain. lie caught the girl:
hands in his with no gentle clasp,
and looked sternly in her face.
Heaven help and pity you, Maude
The triumphs you covet, the rank
you may gain, will turn to ashes at
your touch. know you love me.
Nay, let your eyes droop; l know
their secret You have let me read
it often enough. And now / saw
heaven forgive you for the words
you have spoken this night and for
the solemn promise you have lightly
broken
He wrung her hands and strobe
out of tie room, his heart beating
hercely with pain and anger
With low heart-broken cry
Maude dropped upon her knees, and
covered her face from the light.
Miss Carroll coming found her sob
bing wildly. The companion knelt
down, and put her hands tenderly
around her.
Miss Maude, dear Miss Maude,
what is the matter? Where is Cap
tain Gary?"
Maude put up her hands with q
pass n ate gesture.
"He is gone, Car. He will never
come back any more. He doesn't
love me Car"
"Not love your' echoed Carroll,
in high disdain.
"He doesn't-he seeks nv money ~
And Maude sobbed out the whole
w.etched story-tbe whispered
words behind the laurel fence, and
her own hard words to Lowrence.
Didn't you tell him what yon
had heard ?"
Tel him ?" questioned Maude,
her fee flushing hotly. No indeed y
"Then you ought to have done so,
Miss Maude. Many heart has been
broken keeping back something that
might save cleared up all trouble.
Listen Miss Maude, dear. 1 am
nearly forty, my hair is gray; but
twenty years ago, there wasn'.. a
brighter face or lighter heart than
IL inc in all the village. 1 was en-
gagged to young doctor, and we loy-
ed each other dearly. l was a clergy
mans daughter, you know, and we
lived in the rectory, for the living
was in the hands of some cannon,
and my father was curate in charge. -
Maude moved her head impatient
ly What wera the loveo and oorrorp