Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-06-29
THE STORY OF A LIFE.
miss Cameron"


pair of soft, dark eyes to Mrs. Tollman's
face. 1t was an anxious face just at that
moment, and being usually full of happy
content, the anxiety was very apparent to
Leonie. SO, after her first care less glance,
she straightened herself in her low chair,
and said quietly, yet with every appear
ance of interest
"W hat is the matter ?"
An awkward pause followed that ques-
ton.
Mrs. Tollman fdgeted under the in
quiring glance of the dark eyes, cleared
her throat twice, and finally said, with
nervous emphasis
John Furber."
Miss Cameron's face seemed to freeze.
1t was very beautiful face, with pride
for leading expression. Sweetness
urked in the mouth intellect beamed
from the radiant dark eyes, but pride
I shadowed ali. 1t carried tho small head
gracefully erect, it swept the folds of the
rich dresses with regal motion. 1t
touched the small patrician hands, and
was evident in the we'll modulated tones
of the refined voice.
"There," Mrs. Tollman said. despair
ingly. "l've made you mad already,
and haven't said anything"
81 am not mad" Leone answered, and
there certainly lurked a smile in her
mouth at the good woman's consterna-
ton: "But you have not told me what
troubles YOU"
"Its-it's-John, Miss Cameron, and"
then rapidly, as if the words were fore
ed by fear of her own inability to finish
her self appointed task, she hurried on.
Hes 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 sh,
died and two years ago. | don't know
where he took to bad ways. He wa'
brought up an ioler upon his fathers
money, and from idleness to drinking
gambling and bad ways in an easy road
His father is hard man and he thrust
him out nearly a year ago and disinherit-
ed him. lie came here, Tor | love hun.
I've nothing else to love husband and
children in the graveyard, so | love
John.'
There was a piteous pleading in the
woman's face, but Leonie's was blank,
save for an air Of polite interest.
IIe was most desperate when he came
here, but I've coaxed him mp n little
But--but--Oh, Miss Cameron, you know
what | want to say You are beautiful,
rich-a lady far above me in education
and position, and only staying here for
country quiet. I've no right to find fault
but-but don't flirt with John. He is in
trouble, despondent, dis.nherited, and he's
! falling in love with you rs fast as he can
l believe if you play with him he will
| kill himself, body and soul"
Fairly out of breath with her own ear
nest utterance. Mrs. Toliman paused,
looking peadingly in Leonie Cameron,
face. The expression Of polite interest
never wavered, as that young lady said
"If l understand you arght, you wish
me to ignore your nephew. 1t is not Sc
easy, as he is in your house, SO l had bet.
ter leave it,"
"Goodnesa |" cried tho widow aghast
] al =. t,.t, tnl %
never meant that. Where can you find
another boarding place near here r.
III can return to London"
"I've put my foot in it. John will
never forgive me-" said Mrs. Tolman
/ disconsOlatoly.
But there was no sympathy in Leonie's
face, and she turned away at last, per-
picked and more anxious than ever. And
Leonie, sinking back in her chair again,
| looked at the sunset clouds and variega-
ted foliage, and thought perhaps it was
time to return to London.
She had come TO s. weary with q
round of fashionable life, tired of 1attsry,
dancing, flirting, and she had found rest
and quiet under Mrs. Tollmsn's : motherly
care. She was rich, richer far than the
landlady had any idea Of but she had no
near relatives only second cousin to
keep her lonely home, and play propriety.
Society constituted itself her amateur
guardian, and lying back in her cushioned
chair, in the sunsent glow, she wondered
indolently what society would say about
John Furher. 1t would grant him rare
perfection Of manly beauty OF face and
form, and forgive the evident traces oil
dissipation, if it was only known that he
was the son of rich man, and had been
| educated an ider by profession. But in
what holy horror it would turn away,
with uplifted hands when it was known
he was dislnherited with no home but a
room in the house Of a widowed aunt Elk
ing out her narrow income by taking
5oarders. 1t would smile at his biting
sarcasms, his brilliant conversation, his
cynical sneers, if he was renstated in his
fathers favor, but how rude these would
be in poor man.
Leonie, from thinking of society opin-
ion, quite unconsciousIy glded into con
sidering her own. This dark-browned
man had made fair portion of her sum
mer pleasure for three months, had been
her cavalier in many country walks, drive;
and sails, had quoted poetry under trees
sung in superb baritone upon tho MUIR
muring waters, looked into her eyes on q
moonlit porch, and whispered deicately
worded Aattery. No more than many
IL l1... Laaliu ~ n z