Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1878-06-04
LEONlE.

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OF bow window upon n gardel
flaming with autumn tints and sunse
glow, lifted pair OF soft dark eyes Il
Mrs Tollman's face, II wag an anxlou
face just ~ that moment, and, bein,
usually lull Of placid content, the anx
icly was very apparent TO Lconie, So
after her first careless glance, sh,
Strengthened herself in her low chair
aod said, quietly, yet with every up
pcarance Of interest
Wha; is the mattcri
An awkward pause followed thai
question,
MIS-, Tollman idgelcd under tho in
quiring glance Of the dark eyes
cleared her throat twice, aud fnall,
said, with nervous emphasis
John Furbcr
Miss Cameron's face seemed to
freeze, 1t was a very beautiful face,
with pride for Il leading expression
Sweetness lurkcd in the mouth, intel
lect beamed from the radiant dark
eyes, but pride shadowed all 1t
carried the small head gracefully
erect, il swep, the folds of the rich
dresses with n regal motion. Ii
touched the small partrician hands,
and Nas evident in the well modulated
toned of the refined voice.
Thee, Mrs. Tollman said, despair.
ingly, I've made you mad already,
and haven't said anything
Il am not mad. Leouie answered,
and there certainly was a smile in her
mouth at the good woman's conster.
nation; but you have not told me
what troubles you
'Irs-it's-John, Miss Cameron,
and then rapidly, as if the words
were forced by n fear of her own ina.
bilily to finish her selt,appoin,ed task,
she hurried on: He's my nephew,
Miss. as you know, though his father
is rich man, very rich, and John is
above his mothers place in her life.
She's dead. and John was spoiled
somewhere between the year she died
and two years ago. l don't know
where he took to bad ways. He was
brought up an idler upon his fathers
money. and from idleuess to drinking,
gambling and bad ways in an easy
road. His father is hard man and
he thrust them out nearly year ago
and disinherited him. lie came here
for love him. I've nothing else to
love; husband and children in the
graveyard, so | love John
There was a pi,eous pleading in the
womans face, but Leonic's was blank,
save Tor an air of polite interest.
He was most desperate wheh be
came here, but I've coaxed him up a
little. But-but--O, Miss Cameron,
you know what want to say. You
are beautiful, rich-a lady far above
me in education anC position, and only
staying here for country quiet. I've
no right to find fault, but-but-dont
firt with John. He is in trouble, de.
,pondenl, diSinherited, and he's falling
in love wish you a fast as he can.
believe II you play with him, he will
Kill himself, body and soul
Fairly out of breath with her own
uiterance, Mrs. Tollman paused
ooking pleadngly in Leonie Gamer.
ms face. The expression of polite
interest never wavered, as that young
ady said
If | understand you Alright, you
wish me TO ignore your nephew. 1t
S not so easy, as he is in your house,
70 | had better leave it.
Goodness ! cried the widow, aghast
1t this Interpretation of her words. 4
lever meant that. Where can you
ind another boarding place near
lere? |
i can return to Londou.'
I've put my toot in it. John will
lever forgive me, said Mrs. Tollman,
|isconsolately.
But there was no sympathy in lie.
mes face, and she turned away at
asst, perplexed and more anxious than