Litchfield enquirer., 1875-12-09

clOHSs when VIII WfayDurg VOICE accOsS" ed me. .sGzf7 ltaCo
 'I am so glad to meet yon l'' he said, with something of the old cheerfulness in his tone and manner. 'sI have not spoken to you, except before crowd of people, since I came home" r.f
 'I have not expected you to do so," I replied. ss-t
 II would feel I owed you an apology, 9 he continued, without noticing my remark, ''did not knew that you understo d how impossible it is for me to call one moment my own while Clemence Temains.'
 was silent, but the hand that held Daisy's was cold and trembling. He was only giving me the confidence which he felt, by our long friendship, I had right to claim; but l dreaded it. feeling heart sick weariness with every word he utter ed.
 "Her friends have returned to the city, and she will leave us the day after New Years. am going then, also. The added, slowly, as If watching the effect of his words. s-
 I could not speak; the words died on my tongue. .... ..-.- -.. -.
 Miss Janin's uncle is a physician, and have made arrangements to begin my work with him, said Will.
 'fThat will be very pleasant" manag- ed to say,
 ''Wbieh9" he asked smiling. "My go- ing away or going to work?'
 '.I mean it would be very pleasant for you and Miss Janin."
 He looked at me curiously for an in- stant.
 'I wish, Nell. that you would try to be- come better acquainted with her. She came here prepared to like you very much, and I think you could be good friends" !"
 We could never be friendsr' I cried, emphatically.
 ''You have not tried yet. T do not see why it should be an impossibility.
 Because hate herr I said, slowly, stopping him in the road and looking him full in the face, the very mtensity of my hatred at that moment overcoming every other feeling. His look of utter amaze meDt, and Daisy's wondering face recalled me to my senses.
 ''I beg your pardon; I did not think what was saying" stammered forth; "but you forced the truth from me-"
 Ha walked along for some distance in silence, and could not tell if my vehe- mence had most startled or annoyed him. At last he spoke, and his quiet words made my face burn with shame and mor- tiicatioD.
 ''Clemence does herself injustice" he began. ''Shs is selfish, I o~n; but it Is not her fault. You must remember she has been an only child, and all her lire, had everything done for her, and IS unac- customed to tho little self-sacrifices which form so large portion of most women's lives. But she is aiWays grateful, and if a way of doing kindness is shown to her, is ready to take advantage of 1t. Like a great many people in this world. who fail in little things, believe her capable of great ones" .. ....4s -'..-,r ?.
 Could it be that this girl and were so much alike? Had he been drawing nv character instead of Mss Janin's. i felt he cOuld not have done so moro correct. ly. -r...s.. f-rs. ..-..s... F.... sa.-Il -.
 T feel the justice of what you saY," I said, quite neekIy, ''and will show you that l am neither ungrateful for what has been done for me. nor incapable of doing Kindness to obIlge friend. I VIII erY to be Miss JanIm friend"
 ''That sounds like your dear old self. Nell, and thank you for it. he exclaim- ed. earnestly.
 We were now in sight of the gate, where, as usual, the captain stood guard.
 ''1 wish knew what that fellow means by his dangling after yOu," Will said, aI- most fercely ''I suppose you knoS what an outrageous hlrt he is?"
 The captain having joined us, it was for me to reply, and for the rest of the way to the house Will left the to us. At the door Miss Ja- niu met us with peculiar expression of perplexity and pleasure on her usually calm face, and in her hand she held an open letter.
 ''It has come!'' she said to Will, ienor- ing the presence of the captain and my- self, and you must tell me what to do at once!'
 Of course Will obeyed. Miss Janin needed him, and ''at Oncer These last two words sounded so characteristic. that could not help smiling as turned from them to go up stairs.
 You are not going to run away like this, are you?" said the captain.
 You forget am not young lady of leisure, l answered, somewhat iitterlv.
 He murmured something about forget ting everything except my presence; but l was beginning to weary of his sweet speeches. and his entTeaties had no effect. As I passed Mrs. Wrayburg's door, I heard GinDle's voice in earnest conversation with her mother. paUsed for an instant. longing to go in and join them, as would have done a week ago. What had fallen upon us, that made such thing now im- possible? I sighed. and passed on to nv own room, then I sat down to think what l had best to do to mend this unbearabIe state of things. was wretched, and yet could not define my unhappiness. The one thought and wish that seemed upper. most was that Clemence Janin had never crossed our thresholdI I felt I had been remiss in my duty to- ard her, as a stran- ger and a guest. independently defying the rules of common .c0urtesey. and bring. ing upon myself the silent censure of the whole family, which was far worse than the bftterest reproacbes. But had just promised Will to amend my conduct. and l determined to keep my word at whafev- CT cost to my own. heart. The thought that was silently making a sacrifice for him carried with 1t q balm which gave me strength to act. though it did not bring me m1ch happiness. Leaving the minor details to fate, went down stairs, to be- gin the self immolatiOn at once. As I en- tered the parlor, thought that was there alone, but, ,glaDciDg in one direction. saw scene which made my resolution fal. ter, and my heart beat quickly.
 In the window at the farthest end of the room stood Clemence Janin, and by her side Will Wrayburg She vas looking uD in his face with q bright smile, as sle said q few words in her quiet way. He caught her hand, and I could see that he pressed it warmly, while faint color came into her cheeks at the words he spoke. drew back, intending to wait my chance little longer, but she had glanced toward the door, and, seeing me, had nothing to do but enter. as if unconscious of what had passed beta cen them. Will was evident y unaware of my presence, for he still kept her hand in his, aHd she seemed quite willing that I should see them thus. l stood before the fire, thinking wbat | womb aav sfon kha kirsa Hr~ ~c1A~~A.I.