, 1879-05-03
felt that to lose Franks esteem would be more to
ME tnnn hnI hitherto imagined.

felt that to lose Franks esteem would be 1noreto
ME than had hitherto imagined.
I roI1sed nv sinking courage and said simply:
You know how Ioye you al. and what .
dee, sense ri gratitude | feel towards each OF
yo, h is nainful tor me to return to 1ne love-
lass lie nf nv clilhood: but SO strongly does
drtv mint mt that I ought not to dream OF self
or ease. int obey nv father, eTen though he be
my father only in the 'e1te'' ano oot Liz sp1tas
aCiild.H III returned Uncle George, 'con-
scicnce is one thing and morbid conscientious
ness another, Can you decide which is which
n your case". :. aoreo,. ,on,.. ,
until now. have been happy: consequently there
js nn,hfnr to rive I; morbid tone to my ideas.n
But. Narion,' said Frank, "do you no. think
TINT nrnle older than ourselves arc able, from
their past experience OF 1g, o 10 fa a US ~ Their
&. But, Frank, this is SO simple a question:
ebo1l nlease myself and become happy in
mate Of Pleasant Hill, or saall deny sell Tor
conscience sake2 Remember, il l fail my father
now, lie will set down nli Tue past enaf!es laia
against mt by my sIepn'osAet rs entne19
true" .-,-..,,
in an affcctionatc manner. III will rob you OF
health and strength, w1l'e % tne talents 1easen
has given YOU will oe rendered uselcss- 1ou are
making grave mistake"
Again T sighed, but made no reply. Rose
clung round nv neck. >,
"0n DER Bluene what will besome 7esnof Of
myour mS loye~7our M belp! Oh. my darling, dou't
m IRON, me!n And she burst into passion OF
I.took her arms from my neck,-1 was getting
desperate.
"Lstcn,n said ] in m excited manners; there
is not one Of you in this room for whom would
nnt die! You have given lille to NE, as it were, by
vour Ioyc. Do not now turn from me-and pray
do not urge me to tread on dangerous GROUND.
You forget in your 1--we that, although would
give I'D my body to torture t1 snow M my graft
conscience. and shall have TO give all account IT
willfully stain it! Oh, do not think that AM
uDlovlng and cold!"
II DO not" saiq Frank coming forward 9t and
taking my hand T. hi naFe ~ on Gn{ rst nee ~at r
On 17 earth would give. My dear noble BtucbclI,
wos sure YOU would come out OF the ordea!
truc to yourself!"
His face flushed, his eyes glowed as he took
nv hands, and / read sincerity in every express
sion of his manly face. Suddenly, remembering
tilat might betray the secret l had discov-
ered in q corner Of my heart, | hastily
withdrew my hands from his clasp and left the
room. 81. A.,
rarflcn. and walked rapidly until / came to the
end of it. 1t was o long garden, With many
sylvan hooks. at the bottom OF the garden
rnte led to long country lane with hedge on
one side; on the other SIDE were Fields, with
ratcs opening into the1n.. paused moment
before going out OF the garden. l hau walked
RAPIDLY, and was just beginning to feel very ex~
hausted with my conflict. 4 sound OF loot,
steps reused me ana ~ thaa q no, M as t
very person least wished to see.
uRIuebell how could you be SO naughty as to
come into tic garden without either bat or wrap
pcr. und the cool evening coming on:'
took nv tat without word, and ne put on
nv wrap Then, drawing my hand through his
arm, we sauntercd out
Almost ut the first gate, however, he stopped
and looked into my face. ..
aTircd aud dishearsened," was his comment.
Hr iookel about for a seat, but only log was
near 4 hay-rick stood inside the gate; almost
III the rick On Que side had been carted away.
.s]ust the thing!'' saN Frank; aud, swinging
open the gate, he led inc in:
alter n few moments silence, during which
~ *Marion, las Rose told you anything Of my
future plans!"
"Why, you told me them yourself in your
letters! You have left Oxford, and are going
to Rome with an exploring party; you will prln-
cipa1ly sketch the articles discovered,
"Yes-5ut my other projcct?''- What other
projset.'' ...;na n,.sr;.an
I shall never forget the shock tha1
~--'N
prevent the blood from reccdins from mE lace
FIJI it BECAME white to the lips lie did not look
mn for q moment, but wien he did, he was evil
dentIy much alarmed. With an exclamation, he
put @now ao st dare % you exclaimed. removing his
a'; Hc looked quite as Disconnected as myself,
Again be YVES silent. Presently he looked up Mt
me: ..a,, .,,r. Il. that poso or rox mother
ho1ro fc11 nNtninr 0f whom love 90
"Wny should they tell your secrets! said
p'S1es esecs-they have left for me-" he returned
S":llnSls' "A1a refuse to-; :; hear" I said get
| ting up from nv seat and walking to
| the gate. over which I leaned. =.
After few moments' thought i returned to
| where he sat, plucklg the dry eiover-blossoms
from the hay and looking, very unhappy.
| "Frank,"I said gently, II ain sorry be-
hayed iu SO rude and unkind u manner. will
hear all YOU wish to say"
fe. looked up at me wistfu1lS, and then re-
| marked quietly: ....-.
| - do not think have anything to say now.
| When we came out hoped We should return
| with both our hearts lighter; mine will be
| heavier"
lie spoke SO sadly that was greatly troubled.
- On, Frank" said hurriedly, putting my
Twill try to love her whom you have chosen =
| But somehow my voice farcrcd exceedingly; i
He looked searchin.ly into my face anu then
replied:
n thought your misunderstanding OF my
words just now was intended to prevent ny
| speaking. farther; bur l sce it is real. IN,
| Alarion,"-antl he took MY hands again as his
face CT ew anxious,-"givc me but one look as
| you did when YOU ran out OF the room, ano
| then cannot be mistaken"
enel.
Not a word did he reply.-he only gazcd long