The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-11-08
A PROMrsEIs A PROMISE.
Nv Mrs. sally A. Ramage.

treating her as do. will be man; will
be lust as loyal to her a. pray she may be
10 me. And vet, how childish she is. She
Is 20 cinging, so fragile, that often tire OF
the very love that makes her so unwilling to
displesse me in ANYTHING. ! rather relish the
IRE and spirit that occasionally CLEANS
in Myra.s eyes. How unlike she and Amy
are. both so good and pure, and yet as differ
ent a a woman and child possibly can be. i
wish could make Amy have some OF Miss
IOgan's independence and earneStness. make
her lose her pretty, foolish ways, and gain
strength of speech and manners Amy, 1
will nos forget my promise to you. and will
never by word or look show 10 Myra that
though you possess my VOWS OF fidelity, she
alone has Iny love. No. | will see her but
this once. and then l will leave her for
ever" And he closed the case. forgetting
70 put in its place the glossy
curl thai had fallen to his feet, but noticing
Il as he left the room he carelessly tossed it
in open drawer. His face was swept by
the expressions of conflicting emytions. The
cold. unkinG look that had wrinkled his
brow and hardened the lines about his
mouth sOftened into love and tenderness as
Eyra. impatient at his long delay. advanced
- meet him.
''Mr. BARNARD you are So late that We can
only go a title way, for | have an engage
ment to co TO the choir meeting"
=. And Miss Myra may be SD bold Is TO
ask what gentleman YOU honor with your
company tonight, or am simply an old
bachelor friend who deserves 20 know moth
ing
20 Mr. BARNARD, please do not speak SOL
YOu know that would tell you anything.
/ am going with Mr.. Warren, and YOU GER
tainiy. bv no stretch OF your imagination,
can make him anything but a friendly escort
who calls for me because happen to be able
to procure him the invitation he covets to
a lady of my acquaintance.
"a was simply teazing you. DO not
be offended at me, for | would not make
YOU angry for the world, for | shall
always want TO remember you Is one OF my
few dear friends" and the voice that thrilled
her was soft and gentle as ne emphasized
the word dear"
Guy drove rapidly until they reached the
country and then he held the rcins loosely,
and turned al his attention TO his cOmpan-
ion There had been scarcely any converse
ton Mvrsa seeming to avoid any and Guy
keenly watching her face where her soul was
clearly mirrored and where every change OF
her mind and heart reflected. He had
determined to be true in word at least to
Amy WILDER, and yet he thought il no harm
10 learn how dearly he was loved by
this silent girl who was 50 rapidly develop
ing into brave woman. He acknowledged
to himself that he loved her; that
life without her would be almost
worthless but he did not intend
that any sign of this should be known
to,her. and yet how sweet to kiss the tremu-
lOus li,'s; 10 hold her close. if only for one
moment. in his strong embrace; 20 feel her
clinging arms about his neck. aud whisper
ing. 'AIyra darling;" hear her dear voice
say, Guy, l love you" How precious to
have the passionate, strong affection of such
woman; day by day to have her acknowl-
edge l;s sovereignty, and yet never for
= moment lose her queenly bearing; to
have her watch for his coming ana hasten
with anxious heart to greet him home; to
love and be loved, in sunshine and storm the
same, TO fear no change and know no loss,
this would he life with her, and ere he
thought OF the result, he bent close TO her
and said gently and tenderly, "Myra, my
own"
1t was not only the name. but all, the love
that gave IL such charm, that beat and
palpitated like quickened heart throbs She
drew close TO him, and he threw his arm
around her closely, but as he did so. pale yet
clear, Amv's face seemed 10 rest in its old
place against his heart. and he said very
quietly and vet, OH so differently .'Shall
we drive homer Myra drew herself from
him, and the blood fed from cheek and lip
rs if affrighted, and then came back i'm lava
tide. Yes if you please" she answered
family. Are you cold?" and he attempted
IL draw her shawl around her. but she
tremblingly gathered its folds herself Not
a word more was spoken. Guy Barnard
cursed himself bitterly and deeply that he
should have betrayed his secret love and
painfully thought of the fate that
compelled him TO keep an un-
broken silence. The poor girl at his
side was in an agony Of terror Had she
allowed him to see how dearly he was be-
loved? Was he only trifiing with her when
ne spoke her name so tenderly? Had she
repulsed him unconsciously and forced him
10 believe that she did not care for him. or
what was the reason for his sudden
change OF manner and voice? Had she
shown herself bold and unwomanIy, or
was he cruel and unkind? And az these
thoughts fretted her mind the long lashes
swept low over her eyes to keep back the
scalding tears. She could bear 10 believe
that he imagined her Indifferent. that she
vas to blame, but the idea that he was but
playing with her love was more than the
proud, sensitive nature could stand
Her fingers rested in his a moment as he
assisted her from the carriage. but he tried
IN vain to say word TO her; she only gave
aim long. appealing glance as she passed
into the house, look where love and doubt
we're mingled.
Harsh and bitter were the reflections Of
Guy Barnard as he sat again alone in his
room. Loving Nyra as he did vet desiring
70 keep all knowledge of Amy from her,
how could he explain his conduct? II he
told her al the story, would she not spurn
from her man who could so soon forget his
betrothed? This he could not consider for
one moment No, he would rather she
would doubt his love- would count him tickle
than to know that in far-off Southern
city girl as pure and innocent rs she her
self could pray to be, was waiting for him to
come and claim her for his bride. He would
gently lift the cloud of sadness from Myra's
heart teach her once more to trust him, and
then with a goodbye kiss he would leave
her.
His sister came TO him during the evening,
and with no words Of greeting, but with a