The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-10-29

alone. i had always been IN early riser;
and, this particular morning being in.
Itensely hot, even SO early as seven, !
took book and strolled gently towards
my favoritc arbor, intending TO read
there until the breaklast.bcll rang.
The arbor was so, hidden by shrub.
berries that it could be seen only from d
thickct exactly facing it. - -: /!
| TO my surprise, some one had reached
it before me. Major Gorden was great
smoker, and had brought his cigar there,
thinking he would be undisturbed.
could not turn back nov without being
| positively rude; so quietly took the
seat he offered rue beside himself.
To my great indignation, no sooner
was I seated than he placed his arm
around me in the coolest manner imagin.
able, making me rest against him yet
it was so naturally done that it seemed
no more than a cousinly action, and mere
atfectation to resent it..
"There now We are comfortable he
said, throwing away his cigar. "rhe
early bird is proverbially a fortunate one.
but am rewarded beyond all my expec
tation. Do you know. Nina this is the
first fe1e a tete we have had since re.
turned? I have scarcely had an oppor-
tunity of telling you how much | find
you altered"
''For the better, I hope" I remarked,
bluntiy.
"Wcll," he returned. holding back his
head, and pretending to eye me critical
ly, "from clild you are grown to be al.
most q woman-and very charming
one, too but I must confess that to me,
personally, you were more charming as
tho child. Two years ago felt sure of
this little Nina's love. But now--what
am to say little one e
II don't love you any less, Cousin
Highland, as q cousin, shall always
love YOU" answered. with dignified
air.
He spoke very gently in reply.
"But it is not cousinIy love that
want, Nina. Why are you so sadly
charged! You will scarcely suffer my
arm around you at this moment, you
have not once kissed me since came.
Two years ago you would have done SO
without my asking"
| His words SO bcwildered me that
scarcely knew what said. Starting to
my feet exclaimed:
"Major Gordon, you must remember
that am no longer child. Would it
be maidenly in me to make those advanc.
cs you mention before the woman who
loves you and whom you love!"
A light seemed suddenly to break up.
on his understanding. Holding out his
arms to me, he cried--and, oh, that low.
ing tone could not have been assumed:
''Comc back to me, Nina!' Come. lit.
tS,' one'''0h' how you have been deeeiv'
hesitated one moment, and in that
moment the chance was lost. A rustliug
in the syringa-bushes behind the arhor
first startled me, and Immediately after
wards Paulinc's figure appeared in the
| doorway:
She was flushed and painting: and a
smile, which she vainly endeavored to
make agreeable, parted her lips.
Il am sorry to disturb you, but there
is parcel come for you, Major Gordon,
which the bearer is waiting to deliver into
your own hands,"
My cousin hesitated, looking from her
to me, and then quietly placed my arm in
his.
mo, no. said Pauline, quickly. taking
my hand, as if to draw me away, lit is 50
hot, Nina and will follow slowly"
Her look towards me was so malicious
that l involuntary chung closer to Hugh s
arm. lie answered by slight pressure
of the hand he held.
"Excusc my rudcness, Madcmoiselle
d 'Estcrrc," he said. ''bnt am anxious to
| resume the conversation you were com.
PEELED to interrupt. My cousin and I
will come after you in few minutes,
The messenger may watt
Pauline looked taff1cd.
''In turn, excuse me, Major Gordon.
Nina, one word in your ear
As I bent towards her. she whispered,
quickly, Little stupid, it is your money.
not you, he wants. With this parting
sting she hurried out Of sight.
That long winding path between the
swect'scentcd syringa seemed to me the
road to Paradise that morning, as walk
ed slowly and thoughtfully up to the
house, Hugh's strong arm around me,
while his beloved voice, in low, earnest
tones, was telling me the tale Of his love
-.-how he had known Pauline in Paris
some years ago, while I was yet child
and he too young to know what real true,
love was; how he had been fascinated by
her for time, till he had found how un.
worthy she was-.. till he felt that his love
for his child-cousin had grown to be the
hope and aim of his life.
And when. hidden by the laburnums
and lilacs, We halted in the path, and, at
his request, reached on tip-toe to take
his dear brown head in my hands and
kiss him, as had done two years ago,
how proud was at that moment.-.proud
Of my noble, handsome lover.
My joy was little cloudcd by the
remembrance that he was compelled to
be absent all that day bit, with such
sweet thoughts to bear me company, how
could be dull? Even Paulinc's spiteful
speeches and innuendoes fell harmless if
she had truly loved Hugh, could only
feel the deepest pity for her.
She had always slept in the same room
with me. I felt little inclined for her
company that night, though at the same
time could not easily invent an excuse
for departing from the usual custom so
having undressed in silence, laid my
happy head upon the pillow, and fell to
dreaming sweet dreams. in which my
lover and l were walking through
endless paths, strcwn with roses, and
bordered by golden blossoms.
Suddenly, in the midst of my dreams,
it appeared that q serpent raised itself
| from among the crimson rosas md h;ssod