The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-10-20

thought, angrily. "But I'll show him his
great blunder in an hours time"
But aloud she answered, coolly enough:
Really, Mr.. Winchester, am very sorry
that you should have allowed that childish
affair to make you SO uncomfortable. Long
ago | dismissed it from my thoughts as an
act of foolishness, and unworthy Of re-
membrance." This piece of information
should have comforted the gentleman ex-
ceedingly, but it had an exactly opposite
effect, just as the speaker had intended.
However, nothing but satisfaction was WIS.,
ible in his fine face, as he answered -
"Then it is all right, and perhaps, that
weighty matter concluded, you will favor
me with some music" She sat down at
the piano, and with little inward shiver
he prepared to be bored. He was mu-
steal artist. Passionately fond of genuine
melody, he despised the spurious imita-
tions SO current among even the really re-
fined; and for what could he hope now2
To his unbounded amazement she began
at once difficult instrumental composition
of one of our great German masters, and
played it through gloriously. He listened
breathlessly; then, as she finished, asked,
scarcely above whisper, for another from
the same author Gratifed by the appre.
citation which he knew to be unfeigned,
Lillian played that also, and then they sang
together, then drifted off into discussion
of musical subjects, and when at last the
tea-bell rang, Mr.. Winchester looked round
with start, the time had flown SO rapidly.
"Why, | intended returning in the five
o'clock train he exclaimed "and here it
is half after" "Oh, nonsense r. said his
hostess, gayly. "Father and mother will
want to renew their old acquaintance with
yoni why can't you remain and pay us
visit2" He didn't require much urging,
and day after day passed and found him
still there, He discovered the blunder he
had made, and regretted it bitterly enough.
She was not only educated and cultured,
but talented, and the love of his youth re-
turned as if by magic. At last he deter
mined to remain no longer, and announced
his determination to the family at breakfast.
Lilian's cheek paled visibly, and the little
hand just rendering his cofee-cup trem-
bled. These little intimations of sorrow
he noted joyfully, and although moment
after the proud blood swept over her face,
it only served to reasure him still further.
After the meal was over he followed her
out to the low porch, and asked in a low
voice Gillian, do you know why l de-
termined upon leaving to,day?"
because you wanted to, suppose"
she answered, curtily.
"No such thing" he replied, tendcrly
tucking back wavy lock which lay care.
lessly on her forehead, and oSerjoyed that
she did not seem offended at the familiari-
ty." 81 am going because the longer l
remain the less | desire to leave. | made
fool of myself the first day came, and
have been fully aware of it ever since.
So I'm just going to tear myself away from
you, for good, and see if absence will help
me to conquer my love for Lillian How
ard, She smiled a little bitterly. II
thought it had already accomplished that
easy task" "You know better" he an.
swered, impetuously. "You know that
the love | felt for you at twenty never
entirely died out, and that now it is far
more earnest and ardent, by reason of my
manhood and experience" Her eyes were
cast down and her face was all aAame.
Seeing this his tone suddenly changed, and
very softly he said LILLIAN, wish you
would ask me to stay" But no pride
prevented that, seeing which, he gently
lifted her face between his two soft palms
and asked pleadingly; Gillian, must I
leave?" And then she answered, very
softly, "Nol"