Fair play., 1875-12-16

ing, saw him working in the garden,
and noticed ,ha: he looked pale, and, As
she thought, unhappy. He glanced up
and bowed, but without his accustomed
smile and pleasant word. Norma would
have liked to ask him if he were i'll or
unhappy, but she dared not, for her ac-
quaintance with him did not warrant it.
But all that day her heart ached wheQ-
ever she thought of him. 1t WAS II
ready time for Mr.. Kendall to visit
Norma's school again, but he post
poned it as long rs he could. One
afternoon, however, he entered the
school for the purpose of making his
official visit Norma had never looked
more beautiful. The flush called into
her face by his entrance did not leave it
again that afternoon, and neither teach
er nor committee seemed to feel the in
terest in the school which the occasion
demanded. Mr.. Kendall was unusual
" absent-minded He was thinking that
in few days longer the school would
be closed, and Norma, perhaps, would
be married before he should see her
again. The school was dismissed, and
the last pupil had departed, but MIR.
Kendall still fingered. 1t was hard for
him to leave her, for he would probably
never have an excuse to seek her pres
ence again.
"HOw have you enjoyed your school
this summer, Miss Norma?'' he inquired
at last. 81 suppose You will not be sor-
~ when it is OUT
al don't know" was the hesitating
answer; cit has been q great burden to
me, certainly, but after all / think l
shall be little sorry when it is ort."
And she averted her face, leaning her
cheek ON her hand.
"Where do you expect to teach again,
or shall you give up teaching for the fu-
ture?" He felt his heart thrOb almost
to suffocation rs he awaited her answer.
81 have not taken any school yet,"
she replied, "but ! expect to soon, If
possible. I shall have to do something
for livelihood, but hope shall not
always find it rs hard as it is now"
"YOuns ladies usually marry" ven-
tured Mr.. Kendall, with 4 grave smile.
"Then must be different from young
ladies in general" she replied, looking
hard ut the floor rs she spoke, "fde
do not expect to marry"
"Norma!" and now she could not
help feeling the deep-thrilling passion
in the tone, which could no longer be
suppressed, "wOn't you answer me
this one question, and not believe me
impcrtinent? Are You engaged?"
81 am not" she answered, with
trembling voice and dropping lids.
He clasped both of her hands in his.
"Then, Norma, forgive me, but must
speak now, though certain it can do no
good. l love you, child. as once | new
er dreamed of loving mortal woman.
Oh! if you could give me the priceless
treasure of your love, it would be the
highest happiness that this world could
ever bestOw upon me. dare not ask
you for it, but whatever may betide,
through all the years to come, shall
love you and you only"
There was moments silence, he
still holding her hands closely. Then
she looked up while the color that he
had for the moment frightened away,
crept slowly back into her cheeks.
" There is no need to ask for what is
yours already" she said in q low, trem-
bling tone.
He caught his breath with q quick
gasp. "Norma, Norma, what are you
saying?" and his eyes, doubly bright
with the fire of passion, scanned her
face. "Do you mean that you
love me?''
She could not look at him, but she i.
bowed her head. He drew her into his
arms and kissed her.
"What have done that God has
me soe'' he whispered.
Norma rested her head on his arm in
the fullest cOntentment and happiness.
1t was the crcwning joy of Edward
whole life, and Norma trem-
bled at the depth of feeling SO suddenly
revealed in the heart of one who had
always been deemed so cold and unim-
pressible.
By-and-by she explained to him the
nature of her acquaintance with the
young man who had Sc awakened his
ipalOnSy He was a wanna, doctrr with