The Democratic advocate., 1878-12-07
Select STORY,
THE TWO ROBERTS.

Singing softly to himself, Robert Ed
bury rode cover dale and over down" in
the sweet stiffness of the July night.
Hardly a breath of air was stirring in the
branches of the trees. Now and then an
invisible night bird piped solitary note
to keep him company, and soft waves OF
light streamed over the hills as the queenly
moon, we'll attended by her guards, rode
indolently down the broad highway of
heaven. The blue dome, looking soft as
velvet, was, like the tabled path of love,
strewn thickly with the golden kisses OF
the stars.
As he gained the last hill, whose sum-
init gazed on the little watering place which
was for few weeks to be his destination,
he involuntarily drew rein and sat silent
moment, enjoying the moonlight scene.
On his left an old-fashioned brick house
reared its twisted chimneys aloft. So
close was he to it that its sharp gables
seemed to cut the air over his head, and
only strip of green lawn, bordered by
horse chestnut trees, separated him from
the windows, cleaning in the moonlight.
"Sceptre and crown I'd fling them down,
If might"
Robert Edbury hushed his song when
he perceived, for the first time, his very
close proximity to the house and the win
dows.
"The substantial home of some substan-
tial farmer" he said to himself, 81 had
better move on, or his daughters may think
am serenading them"
Too late just then window was
opened softly overhead, and lady's face
appeared at it. In the rush of bright
moonlight Robert caught sight of the long
ripple of gold-gleaming hair, and was sure
that the face was lovely. At any rate,
the voice was.
HRobert, dear, is it you?"
For half minute Robert Edbury was
mute with surprise, and made no answer.
at is you, Robert. Why don't you
speak ?"
He spake, then, low, and with hesita-
ton.
"How did you know it was 1 ?"
"Of course 1 knew it was you" There
was dash of petulance in the sweet voice
now. "Who else but you would be riding
and singing in that absurd way at this
hour of the night, and halting before the
house? Have you a cold, Robert Your
voice sounds different from what it usual
ly does" '
'Perhaps it is the night all" answered
Robert, wickedly, and getting his wits
partially together. "Or may have crack
ed it with singing" But still he spoke in
the most subdued of tone. II did not
expect the pleasure of speaking with you. P"
''The very idea of your coming up on
horseback at this night hour You know
you ought not to be out. Why did you
do it? Where are you going? Into
Spafeld ?"
''To be sure"
E'But what for ?"
"To see friend"
'Who is it?" came the quick response.
"Not-not Nelly Cameron ?"-with a
shade of jealousy in the tone now. care
the Camerons receiving this EVENING""
''Not that L know of, returned Robert
Edbury, promptly. 81 swear to you was
not going to see Nelly Cameron. I have
not spoken with single young lady to
day, except yourself
"Poor Robert" and little laugh rip
pied lightly on the air. "But do go. You
know what your health is, and that you
have no business to be riding at this time
of night. You ought to take better care
of yourself You will be laid up to-mor-
row; your voice already sounds strange and
altered. Goodnight"
"One moment" cried Robert Edbury,
earnestly, as he leaped from his horse,
fastened the bride to the gate, and stepped
inside beneath the window, where cleaned
that mysterious, enchanting face. "Won't
you give me fower-you can easily
reach that clustering vine by your case
ment Psrhaps-perhaps l shall wish to
ask you some time to forgive me some
great offence. Won't you give me flower
for token?"
allow strangely you talk. OF course [
would give you flower; butthese are only
honeysuckles, and you know we promised
to give each ether nothing but roses. But
stay "-the pretty voice caught itself. II
have bunch of violets on my table.
Would you like them?'
"Anything-anything that comes from
your hands" whispered Robert, more
sincerely than he always spoke.
The bright face disappeared moment
from the window and then returned
white hand cleaned in the moonlight
"There, take them, and now you must
gol Quick hear some one stirring.
Suppose it should be mamma Good
night, dear Robert"
The windcT was softly closed, and in an
instant after Robert was cropping for the
violets in the wet grass. He found them
were they fell. But, as they were falling,
the quick eyes of Robert Edbury had dis
cerned something, bright as a star, falling
too. The small strip of grass where he
had stood was entirely in the shade, hid
den from the light by the large horse
chestnut trees, and he had to grope in the
dark for this glittering thing. An instant's
search revealed it to be what he suspected
"a lady's bracelet. 1t was slender cir
clet of gold, studded with. crystal. The
quick movement had unclasped It from her
arm; and Robert, with smile, put It side