The Van Buren press., 1876-01-18

broken by keeping back something that
might have cleared up all trouble. Lis
ten, Miss Maude, dear. | arm nearly for
ty; and my hair is gray; but, twenty
years ago, there was not brighter face
or lighter heart than mine in all the
village. / was engaged to a young doc
tor, and we lived in the rectory for the
living was in the hands of some canon,
and my father was curate in charge
Maude moved her head impatiently.
What were the loves and sorrows of
those people to her, IN her supreme grief?
Miss Carol went on hestily-
I'VE we're engaged, and one day that
we had arranged to go to picnic some
troubled He had to 20 on business to
the town, and couldn't join us at the pic
mic, was very sorry, but | did not
think much OF il till Lizzie Towel, one
of my friends, told me long story Of
some young lady that John went to see
some beauty of the ncigboring town.
Jealousy is strange thing, Miss Maude.
II makes one think the worst Of our
dearest and best. accused him bitter.
~. AIG Rsoua Nv oho "ukty
but then he begged inc to tell him all. !
wouldn't and we parted in anger, and l
never saw him again till looked on his
dear dead face. lie was stricken by fe-
yer, and died
Miss Carols voice dropped. Over
the dreary plane OF twenty years the
flood of pain was surglng again
Poor dear old Carr Maude exclaim.
ed, rousing herself. g. am SO sorry
The companion wiped her faded eyes
trcmblingly.
Heavens will be done, Miss Maude !,
but it's no use to mistake our foolish
pride for the Almighty's will, desr.
wish--I wish you had told Captain Gary
Maude rose up, shaking out the folds
of her dress with an impatient sigh.
Go and have your dinner, dear, and
send me a cup of tea--nothing else
Miss Carol kissed the beautiful heir
ess. and went briskly away. After see-
ing that the aunt had all she required,
and sending the tea to Maude, the com
panion took we'll worn cloak from the
wardrobe and left the house. 1t was still
rainy, but the wind had gone down, and
thick mists Swallowed the meanows
around the rectory.
Miss Carroll walked quickly up the
garden path aud pulled the bell, half hid.
den among the ivy leaves. She was q
welcome visitor ut the rectory, and the
servant ushered her at once into the par
lor. The lamp was burning low and Pol
ly's piano was shut. Polly, herself, with
little concious color, came forward to
receive Miss Carol. She had been stand
ing by the fireplace, talking to Lawrence
Gary.
"Giye me your cloak; it 10 wet" She
took hold of and carried it out Of the
room.
The little companion hesitatcd a mo-
ment. She was terribly afraid Of this
grand, tall soldier. But love conquered
tear. She went up to him, her face flush
ing and her voice trembling, but strong
in her purpose.
Captain Gary, Miss Maude is break
ing her heart about you. She thinks you
love Polly She heard you say some
thing this afternoon.
A great light came into Lawrenee's
face.
"Thank heaven" he exclaimed, as
Polly came back saying
"Sit down, Miss Carol: mamma will
be down in minute, Captain Gary s
horse became lame while driving from
the hall, and he is going to stay here to
night"
"Ycs- -no--that is,' exclaimed the
young officer, exciiedly. 81 am going
to the. hall have forgotten something =
He left the room and Polly turned up
the lamp, and sat down To her needle
work-Polly's eyes were red.
You have been crying said Miss
Carol, ...
Yes, have,' the girl admitted frank
ly; II am very miserable. Charlie
you know Charlie" ?"
mo-
Polly blushed. 1t seemed very natu
raj to tell Miss Carrol-she was every
ones confident.
.'He is in CAptain Gary's.: regiment
and they have been ordered abroad to
India. Captain Gary was very kind.
He came to tell me to-day, as Charlie
COuiun leANe.
But who is Charlie? l have never
heard of him"
"He is Lieutenant Tillson, and / am
engaged to him." said Polly, with little
dignity.
"Ah, l understand. Poor little girl !.
India is long way off-Captain Gary
won't 60 p
"No, suppose not" said Polly with
smile that proved Captain Gary had
kept his counsel
Maude had drank her tea and was
moodily watching the glowing embers,
her tears falling unchecked, when the
door was pushed open by an.eager hand
and Lawrence Gary entered again. lie
was verrylclose to her before he spoke.
Maude, don't let us be foolish chil-
dren and quarrel for nothing"
Maude dashed away her tears proudly.
II thought you we're at Kingston, Cap
tain Gary
No: my horse became lame, and !
had to stop at the Rectory. Polly is in
sad trouble, Maude. Charlie Tillson,
her betrothed husband goes to India next
month-the regiment has received orders,
and stepped to tell her this afternoon.
had intended to tell you of our going
70 Jol;, b,,