The Morning herald., 1878-11-28

and Slaid II in heif! 1ap. eYou have mem
toned the good old man rs one Of your ia
vorite authors; this tiny volume of his pure
poetry may be acceptable" y
He withdrew before she could thank him.
In the solitude of his chamber he sat
down to write to-Cecil. The surprise was
so sudden that it had completely over-bal-
anced bis discretion.
"What shall I sayS" he mused. II do
not know how to commence or end. I
would like to see her, if only for few min
utes. Well, I'll make trial"
Scribbling off few lines, he held them at
arms length and examined them critically.
THAT viii not do. She would mistake
me for a fopw
Another and another shared the same fate
as the first. Finally his chair was pushed
back in despair.
II really do not know how to word it;
and I will write no namby- y-pamby stuff
Yet must see her. Unless / do, I fear my
usefulness is destroyed. A few minutes
chat I am sure, will restore me to my
senses"
A light tap sounded on the door.
"May come IMP asked Mrs. Weeks from
the hall. lsau5El.t
Philip rose quickly and opened the door.
II trust do not intruder" apologized the
widow as she entered at his invitation. p
"Not at all, madam, he answered, hand
ing chair. tgr
In her hand she held the little volume Of
poems he had given her.
Il encroach upon your privacy, Mr..
Eversleigh, to ask If you did not leave in
my possession, or, in fact, give me an article
which, on second thought, you may wish
returnedp Surely you do not intend this for
me?" a.W A..t.5., .-.n
Opening the leaves Of the book, she took
from between them his mothers likeness of
Cecil.
The hot blood crimsoned Philips brow.
"Yours, I presume, Mr.. Eyersleigh"
He felt that his heart secret was being be-
trayed by his disoomposure, but he could
not for the life Of him help it.
"Yes-no" he stammered, taking the
the card with trembling hand. 'That is, it
belongs to my mother" ..s d.
Mrs. Weeks smiled reassuringly.
'.It is beautiful face, Mr. Eversleigh. I
do not know how you could help loving its
possessor. sl. Egu5p W8IEfGE,
stLove, madam!" faltered Philip. Z ~"
"You need not feel ashamed to own It, for
she is no doubt worthy of your affection.
'She Is worthy the affection of the
noblest, was the low, less embarrassed re-
ply. soIsf os- .
"There is frmness in her countenance,"
said the widow, 'rare in young ladies, and
still more rare in one so young as she."
There was nothing inquisitive in her man
ner Her voice was sympathetic, motherly.
and won his heart.
Until this hour, he had felt perfectly at
ease in her presence. The discovery of his
passion would not have affected him had II
been otherwise made. He could even have
told her il. But, for such stupid blunder
as the leaving Of Cecil's likeness where any
one might have foul-d it, he felt contempti-
BILE. 4
"You are right, madam; she is the pattern
of frmness and duty" -.
s'SoI imagined when first looked at the
face, Do not think me inquisitive, Mr..
Eversleigh" voice to- ( on O tender
tone-"but, may / ask, are you engaged to
the lady?" "n."
He turned away his head and sighed
heavily as he replied: + Ill.
"Does not the back Of the likeness tell the
taller"
He held it toward her. z Gazing intently
on the sweet face second, Mrs. Weeks re-
versed the card and read:
"Mizpah; mine in spirit only Why,
surely" she said, returning 1t, these are
not the features of coquette! Confide in
me, Mr.. Eversleigh; my heart always goes
out to those in trouble; I have known much
myself, and can fully comprehend the feel.
ings Of others"
This was the first mention she had made
of herself. It touched the responsive cord
in Philips heart.
In o few sentences, he confded to her
keeping the story Of his unfortunate love,
but without bringing into it the name of the
loved one. -
Several times during the recital, Mrs.
Weeks made as if to interrupt him, the mus
cles Of her face twitching spasmodically.
"You can now SEQ how such an unfortu-
nate event must disturb the repose of one
who has the mission of the minister resting
on his shoulders" a.
But he did not receive the answer an-
ticipated. .y7
may, Mr.. Eversleigh, you have more to
thank God that he has given you the love OF
30 pure creature" responded the widow.
"No doubt time will come when your dear
ones course must be shown to, have been
eminently just. Take courage from that old
saying: .us 81
80. 1T is better to have loved and lost
.a& Than never to have loved at all,
truth undeniable." - .,.,. .s- ,
Il am inclined to think her right, madam,
but my selfish feelings are getting the better
Of my judgment" "a IA
Z ..Thatis wrong, sir. Doubts should not
be harbored for single moment"
Philip could not withstand the tender
solicitude that called forth this rebuke, and