The Van Buren press., 1875-11-23
MISCELLANY.
A Passing Shadow.

Maude InOrnt0n. Win ten thousand q
year, and splendid estate in Warwick
shire, was far more miserable that dull.
October day, because it was raining, than
Carroll, the meek companion, who was
trying to please her petnlant mistress by
AN account Of the vivid interest of some
new book
Its of no use, dear. To rain like
this, to day, too, when Lawrence prom.
ised to come over from Kingston.
"You will forget the rain if you will
only let me read you the first chapter; it
is splendid, Miss Mandc,' persisted Car
roll. opening the brown volume.
Miss Thornton stopped her with ges
tnre
Ring for my cloak and shoes, Car. |
am going down to the lodge to see
nurse
Miss Mauden
Miss Maude had turned to the window,
and was impetuously tapping the pane
her face ana TssHIlRRi sHlRR Win nr"na M ire S IN n
eyes which was more g. ~ va. l.@ y
her beauty. Tall and slight, Maude had
inherited 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 chancel pavement, and Maude was
their heiress. She lived in the big
house with an old half witted aunt and
her companion.
1t was only temporary arrangement.
Maude was engaged to be married to her
cousin, a dashing young officer, whose
regiment was then stationed at Kingston
She was very proud of him, and loved
him all the better tor his poverty tor
hers was a nature that felt almost too
keenly the JOY of giving.
Lawrence was well pleased, of course
to have the love Of the heress. and to
excite the envy Of all the other fellows
who didn't see what Maude Thornton.
liked in her yellow-haired cousln.'
Maude had rebelled fercely at his man
ner lately. 1t was too courteous, too
reserved for devoted lover, she inward.
ly decided; and it was this, perhaps, that
upon that wet day made her so discon
tented amid all the splendor of the
| Thornton drawing room
| After few sharp words Maude obtain
ed cloak and shoes, and went out into the
rain. 1t was coming down more fercey
than ever on the dark leaves and the soft
gravel; but she hasted on bravely en-
ough, down the path, and across the
bridge, striking away from the main av-
enue to save time.
Parting the Thornton grounds from
the rectory gardens was high, thick
fence of laurel, which ran for few hun
dred yards along in almost a straight
line A thought struck Maude's wayward
mind as she reached the fence; she would
90 and see Polly, the rector's little
d tighter, whom Maude patronizcd very
gracefully.
As she stood a moment by the fence,
undecided, a low voice, tremulous with
pain, reached her from the other side.
Poor little Polly 1t is cruel fate
that should part two such loving hearts.
1t was Lawrence Gary that spoke
Then came Pollys soft response:
Never mind, Heaven will help us,
Captain Gary.
May it help youto be patient, dcar'
Maudc heard no more; she FASTENED
away, like a guilty thing, back across the
bridge, her breath coming in short gasps
and the fever flush of pain upon her
cheeks.
Carroll met her 10 the hall mildly re.
proachful
You'll fall into consumption and die,
Miss Maude. and then what will Captain
Gary do? I'd sooner have a tame Gle
phaut to keep in health.
Miss Thornton threw off hei b'oak with
little bitter laugh.
Don't be cross, Car | was a great
fool to 90 out | know. I'll go and dress
for dinner, and you can read that book,
if you like, dear
She FASTENED up stairs to her room,
and ran for her maid.
Il will wear my new dress, Tonight
Mary, and do my hair in coils, please.
Msude looked queenly, when she came
into the drawing room, and she was
dressed in black velvet, with square-cu
bodice, and rich lace dropping over her
pretty white arms.
You look like picture, Miss Maude,
exclaimed Carroll, admiIingly.
Maude smiled, and seated herself by
the hearth, the freight playing on her