The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-11-23
Afeelins of bitter desolation fell upon

thing in the world, but now it seemed
as if she had no home in any heart.
Mr.. st. Charles beautiful mare, Sul-
tana, stood tied to tree. For the first
time the sight gave Linly pain instead
OF pleasure. She did not wish to meet
him, and she turned away from the
door and took to the garden path.
The grounds of Ryelands were old and
fine. The DOCTORS large practice and
open hearted hospitality had formerly
kept much state there, but of late all
was very quiet.
She saw no one and her path wound
among shrubbery; but soon she heard
voices, and pausing to learn what direc-
tion they were iu, the following conver-
saticn forced itself upon her:
81 hardly know what to say"
But, Hermione, surely you trust
me9'
Eyes entirely. But, Rupert, wait
a year. My husband has been dead
such q short time, and / shrink from
such responsible act"
Il cannot wait year. You know
how lonely have been, and now that 1
love one woman with my whole soul
and she is free, and L can at last take
care of wife-surely, Hermione, you
will not refuse?"
"Poor Rupert, I love you SO much,
how can 1 2"
"Then you give your consenta"
"I do"
Breathless, and wild with pain, Linly
tore herself from the spot, She sought
the house now, and fleeing to her own
writhing with anguish. Lost Lost !!
They had all left her She had not one.
The tea bell rang. She did not
heed it. Inquiring voices called her
name she covered her ears with her
hands. Twilight and darkness filed the
pretty white room the whip poor-will's
call came on the dewy air, and the
iapo sounded softly in the room below.
1t was Hermione's touch, and Rupert
st. Charles was bending happily over
g the woman he loved with bis whole
SOUL" no doubt. Poor Linly She
wished she could creep into her fathers
grave, and be out of the sight of their
happiness.
By-andbye, in the stiffness, she heard
ateps on the stair. Was Hermione
roming9 Yes, the door opened, and
Hermione's voice syllabled: "Dear,
are you here3 Why. we thought you
had not come from town."
She advanced into the room, putting
'he light she carried under a shade il
the corner.
"You have cone home with head
ache, know-the day has been SO hot;
ant you ought to have drank somo ten,
Linly dear"
Tho graceful fragrant form pressed
he couch by the girls side; tender
arm stole around her neck.
81 am glad we can besquiet. I have
omething to tell you. Did 1 hurt you,
Lnly, with my ringG Why did you
vince SO? 2"
"No, Hermione, no." feebly.
"Linly, something has happened to-
lay, which gives me great hope and
pleasure. Shall tell YOU 2"
There was little pause-such hard
little pause.
eyes"
"You have known my cousin, Ru-
pert st. Charles, year, and you feel
luite well acquainted with him, do you
not ?"
quite well.
"lls is all he seems to 10, Linly. /
think you like him."
No answer.
II hope You do, dear, for he is just
what young man ought to be-honor-
able, pure and steadfast-and the woman
vho has won his love is fortunate, in
deed-blt ssed, if she returns it-for he
will make devoted husband. She could
not have better fate than to be the wife
of Rupert st. Charles"
Hermione Thetford heard her step-
could not her face"
"I walked with him this afternoon in
the garden. and-surely, dear, your
head must be very bad. l heard you
moan"
Very bad. But never mind, Her
mione."
"He urged me to a promise which I
was reluctant to give"
"Yes."
81 he itated to take the step he
urged upon me, because your father has
been dead such short time, and others
might think"
"You need not think what others
think, if you are sure of your own feel
ings, Hermione."
"It is because / am sure of them
that | at last yielded. l have known
Rupert from child, and h. is one in
thousand. So, dear, surely you will for
give me if you are averse to this -
Forgive What should ! forgive,
dear Hermione 2"
81 yielded, and gave my consent that
he should tell you his love, and try to
win yours, dear. For nothing could
make me happier, my dear girl, than
for you to marry my cousin"
Hermione's voice died away. There
was no sound in the darkened chamber.
She listened anxiously for Linly's re-
sponse, but the girl realized nothing but
the feelings of her own heart.
"Will You speak, dear2"
"What shall say, Hermione2"
Are you panied or pleased by what
1 have told you2"
Hermione, I have been told that
you and Rupert st. Charles used to love
each other"
81 have always loved Rupert as a
more. 1t was your
father whom 1 loved, dear, and SO you
are next nearest my heart. I have
prom ised Rupert to urge you to give
him little sign of encouragement, and
so he has sent you this blush rose. If
he may speak to you, wear it in your
hair when he comes tonight if you
have no hope for him you need not see
him at all, dear, as it may be painful to
you, and will surely dash his dearest
hopes to the ground. So I will tell him