The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-12-28

with proffered arm, courteously still
beside her, and, though protesting in
wardly with all her might that she
would not dance, she gave him her
hand, and in another moment they
were floating deliciously together to the
strains of the seductive music.
When it was over, Robert led her to
her seat near some friends; her mother
had not gone to the rooms that night.
She looked very pale. The pretty rose
color had all died out of the sweet
round cheeks.
Are you faintP" he asked anxiously,
bending over her. care you tiredP
Shall | get you some water?"
"No, mop she cried, shrinking away
from him. 81 am not faint outlook
at Robert Stonor. l have offended him.
He is angry because danced with you.
0, what shall | do? He is my cousin,
and has ill-health, and he must not be
excited"
Robert Edbury turned and saw stand
ing near him that other Robert, who
threatened to be--or perhaps was-no
mean rival. His ill-health was evident.
One hand was pressed to his side as if
to still some pain there, and on his
handsome blonde face, which was
marked by unmistakable traces of con-
firmed sickness, a cloud of Jealous anger
rested heavily.
The eyes of the two men met, and
each knew the other for rival.
A half smile of scorn as he looked,
curled Robert Edbury's lips. In esease
like this, a man has no pity for the sill
ments of another. With a grave face
he took from his pocket the rosebud
and laid it in Miss Chassdane's lap.
"Here is your rOse,' he said, quietly.
81 restore it to you at your wish. But
remember what said; and believe me,
time will prove me to be no false
prophet"
Without waiting for an answer, he
bowed and disappeared amid the thrOng
of dancers, seeking her no more that
night.
"Is Miss Chassdane engaged to that
MANI" he questioned of his friend Nor
ton.
Il believe there is no positive en-
gagement,' was the reply. "Mrs.
Chassdane, it is said, objects to it."
"On what score does she object?
Money!"
go, no, Stonor has a small, compact
estate close by, and is well off. On the
score of his uncertain health. Also,
they are cousins"
"What is it that is the matter with
him?"
Some complication, connected with
both the lungs and the heart, which, !
conclude, renders treatment difficult"
"Do you think Miss Chassdane cares
for him?"
81 don't think she loves him, Edbury
if that's what you mean. 1t seems to
me that she likes him more as brother.
When eligible attentions are paid to
girls they feel battered, you know, and
respond accordingly. Nine out Of ten
of them understand nothing of theil
own feelings and mistake friendship
for love. Robert Stonor and Miss
Chassdan6 have grown up together
have been like brother and sister"
Frequently they met after that 1t
was an unusually gay season at Spafeld
and entertainments abOunded accord
ingly. In the morning drinking the
water, or making believe to drink it; in
the afternoon sauntering in the gardens,
or on the parade; in the evening at the
rooms or at private parties; two or
three times did Mr.. Edbury and Miss
Chassdane meet and linger together
and converse with each other. Robert
Edbury's time was his own and he staid
on. He could have staid forever The
two or three weeks soiourn he had in
tended had more than doubled itself
For he had learned to love her passion
ately; and all the world might see il
for aught he cared. She, too, might
see it, if she chose; but whether she did
or not he could not tell, judging from
the grave and sweet dignity with which
she met and bore back eager attentions
At length there came an evening
when he was determined to put his fate
to the test to 90 on in this uncertainty
was worse than torment. They had
been much disturbed by Robert Stonor
paroXyism of his complaint had con.
fined that gentleman to his own home
And so Robert Edbury went up tc
the old gabled house, before which his
horse had halted that first night, and
sought an interview with Miss Chass.
dane. She was quite alone. The long
French window by which she sat was
flung wide open, and the low red sun
light, streaming in over her, lighted UP
her fair, gold hair and the roses in hel
dress.
GLOW beautiful she is!' he thought
as he took her hand in his. "What
if | should not WIN her after all? But
| will make hard fight for it."
Jessie looked up inquiringly into his
face. "You are very silent" she said
and then, catching the earnest look il
his eyes, she blushed violently anc
drew away her hand.
Glove you" he passionately broke
forth in low, tremulous tone, break
ing his emotional silence. Il have
come to you this evening to risk my fate
by saying this, to win or lose all Jessie
you must know how | love you; how
have loved you all along, from tha
very first night that spoke to you
neither of us knowing the other. vii
you not give me some hope of love il
return? Do not send me from you al