The Van Buren press., 1876-01-18
= : : 7797l7-7777-77'3l
MISCELLANY.
APassing Shadow.

Maude Tho npson, with ten thousand
a year and a splendid estate in Warwick
shire, was far more miserable that dull
October day. because it was raining, than
catroi', the n""k compAnon. who was
trying to please her petdnnt mistress bJ
an account of the vived interest of some
new book.
! &" 1t s Of no use, dear To rain like
this-to- day, too when Lawrence prom
ised to come over from Kingston"
i" You will forget the rain if you will
only let me read the first chapter; it, $
splendid Miss Maule," persisted Carroll,
opening the brown volume
Miss Thornton stopped her with ges,
ture
Ring for my cloak and shoes, Car;
am going down to the lodge to see nur-
sie."
Miss Maude"
Miss Maude had turned to the window,
and was impetuously tapping the pane
She was still young, with proud fire in
her face and shining through her dark
eyes which were more bswitching than
her beauty. Tall and slight, Maude had
inherited a 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, dashing officer, whose regiment
was then stationed at Kingston. She
was very proud of him, and loved him all
the better for his poverty for 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 heiress and to dxcite
the envy Of the other fellows who didn',
see what Maude Thornton liked in hel
yellow haired cousin"
Maude had rebelled 6ercely at his man
ner lately. 1t was too courteous, too re
esrved for devoted lover, she inwardly
decided and it was this perhaps that up.
on that wet day made her so dscontented
amid all the splendor of the Thornton
drawing-room.
After few sharp words Maude oh
tained cloak and shoes, and went out in
to the rain. 1t was coming down more
fiercely than ever on the dark leaves anc
the soft gravel; but she hastended on
ward bravely enough, down the path and
across the bridge, striking away from the
main avenue to save time
Parting Thornton grounds from the
rectory gardens was high thick fence
of laural. which ran for a few hundred
yards along in almost straight line. A
thought struck Maude's wayward mino
as she reached the fence; she would &c
and see Polly, the rector's little daughter
whom Maude pa,ronizcd very gracefully
As she stood for a moment by the fence
und .ciccd, low voice, tremulous with
pain, reached her from the other side
Poor little Polly! Its a cruel fate
that should part two such loving hearts. ,
1t was Lawrence Gary who spoke
Then came Polly's soft response:
Never mind. Heaven will help us
Captain Gary
May it help you to be patient, dear. >
Maude heard no more; she FASTENED
away, like guilty thing, back across tn,
bridge, her breath coming in short gasps
the fever flush of pain on her cheeks.
Carol met her in the hall, mildly re
proachfui.
You'll fall into consumption and die
Miss Maude, and then what will Captain
Gary do I'd sooner have tame elephant
to keep in health
Miss Thornton threw off her cloal
with little bitter laugh.
Don't be cross, Car. was gres