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

Warwickshire, was far more miser-
able that dull October day, because
lit was raining, than Carroll, the
meek companion, who was trying to
please her petplent mistress by an ac-
count of the vivid interest of some
new book.
"It's of no use, Car. To rain
like this-to-day, too, when Law
renee promised to come over from
Kingston ~
you will forget the rain, if you
will only let me read you the first
chapter; it's splendid, Miss Maude, I"
persisted Corroll, opening the brown
volume.
Miss Thornton stopped her with
gesture.
Ring for my cloak and shoes, Car;
| am going down to the lodge to see
nursie.n
Miss Maude !"
Miss Maude bad turned to the
window, and was impetuously tap
ping the pane. She was still young,
with a proud fire in her face aDd
shining through her dark eyes which
was more bewitching than her beau
ty. Tall and slight, Maude had in
herited q rare grace of movement
from her mother. That mother
twenty-four years ago had married
the old Squire for his money. They
were both dead now, lying together
under the gray stones of the chan
c.l pavement, and Maude was their
heiress. She lived in the "big house"
with an old half-witted aunt aud her
companion.
1t was only temporary arrange
ment, Maude was engaged to be
married to her cousin, dashing
young officer, whose regiment was
then stationed at Kingston. She was
very proud of him, and loved him all
the better for his poverty for hers
was a nature that felt almost too
keeuly the JOY of giving.
Lawrence was well pleased, Of
course, to have the love of the heir
ess and to excite the envy of all the
other fellows who didn't see "what
Maude Thornton liked in her yellow
haired cousin"
Maude had rebelled fercely at his
manner lately. 1t was too cour-
teous. too reserved for devoted low
er, she inwardly decided, an it was
this perhaps that upon that wet day
made her so discontented amid all
the splendor of he Thornton draw
Iing-room.
After a few sharp words Maude
obtained cloak and shoes, and went
out into the rain. 1t was coming
down more fercely than ever on the
dark leaves and the soft gravel; but
she FASTENED onward brsvely enough,
down the path and across the bridge,
striking away from the main avenue
TO save time.
Parting Thornton grounds from
the rectory garden was high thick
fence of laurel, which ran for a few
hundred yards in almost straight
line. A new thought struck Maud's
wsyward mind as she reached the
fence; she would go and see Polly,
the rector's little daughter whom
Maude patronized very gracefully.
As she stood for moment by the
fence, undecided, low voice, tremu-
lous with pain, reached her from the
other side.
"Poor little Polly! 1t is cruel that
fate should part two such loving
hearts,
1t was Lawrence Gary who spoke.
Then came Polly's soft response
Never mind. Heaven will help
US, Captain Gary"
MAY it help you to be patient,
dearl"
Maude heard 40 more; she FASTENED
away, like a guilty thing, back across
the bridge, her breath coming in short
gasps, the feveraush of pain on her
cheeks.
Carroll met her in the hall, mildly
reproachful.
You'll fall into O consumption
and die, Miss Maude, and then what
will Captain Gary do? I'd sooner
have tame elephant to keep in
health
Miss Thornton threw off her cloak
with little bitter laugh.
"Doa't be cross, Car. | was
great fool to GO out / know. I'll
90 and dress for dinner, and YOU
can read that book, if you like, dear"
She hastened up stairs to her room,
and rang for her maid.
81 will wear my new dress to-
night, Mary and do my hair in coils,
please"
Maude looked queenly when she
came into the drawing room; she
was dressed in black velvet, with
square cut bodies and rich lace
dropping over ber pretty white arms.
you look like a picture, Miss
Maude," exclaimed Corroll, admir-
ingly.
Maude smiled, and seated herself
by b hearth, the freight playing On
her proud, queenly face and on
her luxuriant hair. She sat there
silent and thoughtful, playing with a
pictured Gre screen. each movement
of her white hand causing the rings
on her fingers to fash brightly.
Captain Garyl" cried Carroll, at
the sound Of the wheels op the
drive.
Maude's color rose q little niger,
but she did not even look up when
Carroll said something about q book
and left the room.
He came in unannounced-a man
of twenty-five, yellow haired, hand
some-a man any woman with
unclaimed heart might have loved.
Msude held out her hand with a
laugh
Il didn't expect you tonight, Law
renee"
He took it gravely, but didn't at