The Van Buren press., 1875-11-23

sound OF the wheel on the d"lve.
Maudc's color rose a little higher. but
she did not speak, not even when Car
roll said something about a book, and
left the room.
He came ia unannounced--a man OF
twenty Eve, yellow haired, handsone-a
man any woman with unclaimed heart
might have loved.
Maude held out her hand with laugh.
/ didn't expect you, tonight, Law
renee
He took it, gravely. but did not at
tempt to kiss her There was something
in her proud face which checked him.
'What dreary day, isnstitr she Std
in her softest tones, clasping her hands
together. lest he should see them trembe
and looking at him, her white lids droop-
ing little,
How beautiful she was The soldier
face flashed little with pride, as he
looked at this queenly girl-his promised
wife.
1t is rather damp, my darling he re
turned gaily.
She played with the rings on her fin
gers, loosening one. a bright cluster OF
diamonds, and half drawing it off.
This old house is drcadfully dull
am utterly miserable here--utterly mise
rahle!'
'Maudev her lover cried, in grave re-
proach.
Her eyes flashed as she looked up at
him proudly.
Don't you think it must be dull, with
two old women far my companions ?
He bent over her eagerly.
1T must be dull, dear, ! know. Don't
spend the winter here. Let it form our
honeymoon, passed in sunny Italy, my
darling
His proud lips quiversd with pain; but
she laughed lightly
i shall not spend the winter here |
am going abroad to Paris, | have
friends there, and shall see little of the
world. do not know my own heart,
Lawrence.
Lawrence bit his lip with annoyance.
/ hardly understood you; you are in
a strange mood, to night
bright betrothal ring
1t was hardly fair to claim my prom
sc so soon, Lawrencc---I am fettered
before l have known anything Of the
worlds real life. They may be golden
chains to you, to me they are simply
CALLING.
'Fattcrs, do You call your words OF
4.
returned hotly.
She rose up, playing carclessly with
her rings.
They are fetters--casily broken,
though, when no love binds the links to-
ge,her Therc-take back your ring
She slipped it If and held it out.laugh'
ing the while He clasped her wrist, and
the ring dropped between them.
What do You mean2 Are you play
ing with me? IL has gone too far for q
joke.
Loose my arm. Captain Gary-you
hurt me. tell you my promise has be-
come calling chain like you, you
know, but not well enough to give ny
better chances. am handsome--I have
ten thousand a year A captain IN a
marching regiment snot a..good part
For Heavens sake, stopg he exclaim
ed. hoarsely. Il won't reproach you
Maude-I am glad you have dropped
your mask. You are not worthy of an
honest mans love! l will crush mine as
| crush this bauble! He stamped upon
the olttering diamonds with his heel as
he spoke
For shame. You have spoiled ring
worth tho rector's yearly income! she
exclaimed lightly,
But he needed not the words in his an
cry pain He eanght the girls hands in
his with no gentle clasp, and looked
sternly into her face.
Heaven help and pity you, Maude
The triumphs you covet, the rank you
may gain, will turn to ashes at your
touch | know you love me. Nay, LET
your eyes droop; I know their secret
YOU have let me read it often enough
And now l say, Heaven forgive you fol
the words you have spoken this night
and for the solemn promise which you
have lightly broken
He wrung her hands and strobe out OF
the room. his heart beating lercely with
pain and anger.
With low, heart broken cry, MaudS
dropped on her knees and covered bel
face from the light.
Miss Carroll coming, found her sob
bing wildly. The companion knelt down
aud put her arms tcnderly around her
Miss Maude, dear Miss Maude, wha,
is the matter? Where is Captain Gary ?
He has gone, Car. He will never
come back, any more. He doesn't love
me, Car
Not love your echoed Carroll, in
high disdain
He doesn't-he seeks my money !!
And Maude sobbed out the whole wretch
ed story-.he whispered words behind
the laurel fence, and her own hard words
to Lawrence.
Didn't you tell him what you had
heard ?
Tell him ? questioned Maud. her face
flushing hotly. No, ndecdN
Then, you ought to have done so.
Miss Maude Many heart has been bro,
ken by keeping back something that
might have cleared up ali trouble. Lis
ten. Miss Maude. dear. | am nearly for
ty; and my hair is gray; but twenty
years ago there wasn't brighter face or
lighter heart than mine in all the vii
lage was engaged to syonng doctor,