The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1878-10-05


tender to me with an added gentleness,
and over scrupulous about leaving me
alone with Rudolph.
/ wished sometimes that Rudolph was
not quite SO careless and merry. He
!ested about all things, and yet have
heard him sigh over Lilian's sad song as
if he was broken-hearted. 1T made me
feel old that so often their merriment
Jared upon me, for when Rudolph first
came he treated Lillian like the child he
had left FIVE years before When we
rode they would race their horses, leav-
ing me far behind, for I am not brave
horsewoman, while Lillian, SO sensitive
and gentle at all times, is fearless on
horseback
They would sing gleeful duets to
gether, Rudolph's clear tenor well sup
porting Lilian's sweet, pure notes, while
humiliating to confess, had become
so disguised with leading childish fingers
through scales and exercises that ]
never touched piano when it could be
avoided.
/ looked upon it all complacently
enough, often turning to smile at John
as these two iested or made merry at my
expense, but did not like to see it all
change. OF late Lillian had seldom come
into the drawing room during Rudolph's
visits, and Rudolph missed her. | was
sure of that for while he was always
affectionate and kind, he was abstracted
often.
! John, too, stayed away more than
/ usual, and j ohm was my best friend.
was not even as confidential to Rudolph,
for he had been five years away, and was
not changed as | was.
1t was altogether strangely uncom-
Portable when one considered that | was
to be married in October, and TO go to
Europe with Rudolph, whose ancestors
were German, and who had desire to
visit his grandfather's home in Munich.
Lillian had helped to plan out most
tempting tour for us through England
France, Spain, Italy and Germany, and
Rudolph complimented us both upon
our German, which was familiar to him.
his mother having taught him to speak
| it at home.
/ The day after the ball was stormy
and we slept late. At least did not
sleep, but stayed in my room. There
were some letters to be written, and
was preparing rough draft of a deed
| of gift to Aunt Charlotte / did not
want two town houses, and Rudolph
had bought superb mansion that he was
fitting up for his bride. So my house
resolved to give to Aunt Charlotte, with
sufficient sum to maintain her In com
fort after I left her. Nobody knew but
John, and he was coming to take my
papers and make them out legally. Die
[ say John was successful lawyerl
knew that he would come, even if it die
rain, though | scarcely expected Ru
dolph until evening, as the rain woult
prevent our proposed excursion.
It was late in the forenoon when
went down to the library, small room
adjoining the long drawing room, anc
separated from it by curtained arch
Being woman's home, the library hat
never been very extensive more cos,
reading room than stndy.
| / was waiting there for John, nest
ling in an easy chair, and wondering
it was the ball that made me so langnid
when / heard the drawing room doc
open, and presently Lillian touched tn
keys of the grand piano, her finger
gliding into dreamy nocturne that wa
one of her late favorites The curtain
were looped so that I could see her, il
her white dress, with no ornament bu
soft lace, and sighed to see how white
and wan she looked, what quivering pail
was on her sweet mouth, and In he
large eyes.
| Some one else saw it, for, while sht
played, Rudolph came in. All the mer
riment was gone now from his face, ant
he leaned on the piano, listening, ane
not noting how her fingers faltered as ht
fixed his eyes upon Lilian's face.
/ When he spoke he said :
/ 81 am going away, Lillian.
You are wise, she said family.
s'I can make some excuse to Debby
and / will stay in town until You al
come to-the-weddingl / was mis-
cradle coward last night, Lillian, tortur
ing you and myself (; but / will not
offend again.
No" she said gently, /" / am sure Of
that. We must both be brave, fol
Debby must never know Neither
you nor could be false to Debby, Ru
dolph. Think what she has been tt
me
And to me Ny faithful love!
| The mist was gone from my eyes, an6
I knew the whole secret of what hae
puzzled me- These two loved each other
Rudolph had found the gentle, sympa
thetic love that suited his manly nature
and Lillian the brave protector her tim
| idity needed.
And I-Debby-what allied me? Fol
| was glad Glad to see my lover faith
less In heart-true In honor.
I had not heard John come In, bu
when l turned my head he was there
with stern lips and drawn brow, unit
he saw my smile Then a glad igh
ieaped to his eyes, and he whispered:
"Oh, my darling, is it SO You ar
not heart-broken2 You do not Low,
himan
1t must have been girlish fancy,
/ said, astonished at myself
But the woman's heart Debby
have you never guessed the torture i
was to me to know that you were no
freel Do you not know / have Loves
| you always, my darlingl"
4 His darling
"II did not know I faltered II onl,
felt"
"Whatl' he asked, as / hesitated
Happy beside you, / said softly
"lonely without you. John, / know
l.S.S...