The Van Buren press., 1879-01-14
What do you mean p she asked

"What do you mean 2" she asked
haughtily,
Glare, ! love you For Heavens sake
be merciful Say but one word, and you
are mine forever"
She looked at him coldly, scornfully.
- loved you once. Mr.. Armain; but
then thought you an honorable man,
who would hold his plighted word sacred,
Loose my hand, please"
1t is your pride that speaks, Clare
| know you love me. Let your love
plead for me- he answered passion
atcly.
Love you, Robert Armain! utterly
despise you" She snatched her hand
away, and haughtily lefl the room, giving
no heed to his pleading words.
Clare, Clare, listen one moment"
She dared not remain, Her pride, her
keen sense of honor, her strong will,
could not destroy her love: it was plead
ing wildly for Robert Armain as he
spoke. In moment more she would
have been clasped in his arms, happiness
gained and honor lost.
Robert Armain spoke truly when he
told Glare that her cousin was a fit mis-
tress for his fair ancestral home. As la
dy of the Court she performed her part
well, and Mr.. Armain might well have
been proud OF the fair stately woman
who ruled his household and bore his
name--his wife in all but the love that
is the truest tie between man and wo-
man. Bound together by VOWS exchan.
gcd before Gods altar, they we're farther
apart in heart than before their wedding
day.
They sat together in the pleasant break.
fast room of the Court on the first ami.
versary of their wedding-day, lingering
over their letters. Mr.. Armain's coffee
was untouched he had pushed his plate
back to rest his head upon his hands.
while he read the letter before him. 1t
was from the Dean. He had been abroad
with his daughter during most Of the past
year; now they were come home.
Clare is almost herself again." wrote
the Dean; "witA tender care trust she
will quite recover her health. She Ia so
like her mother that it makes me trem-
ble."
SO the Dean is come home" Mrs.
Armain remarked. LAYING down the letter
she had received from Glare.
"ClaLe seems very homesick," his wife
went on. "Dear child, l long to see her
again"
What did her mother die Of ?' ask
ed Mr.. Armain, without raising his
eyes.
"Of decline when she was very young.
The Dean almost broke his heart, l have
heard my mother say
"Indeed" said Mr.. Armain. He
folded the Deans letter and put it into
tia .pGgkqt- xe0. g''ng to use the
Yes, am going to Dodngton. We
have promised to be at Averlesy this
evening"
81 shall he ready to accompany you.
Good morning"
God morning." she answered, as she
would have returned the salution of
stranger
Her husband left the room, aud Mar.
garct took up the morning paper, turn.
ing by force Of habit to the Army news.
But the interest it had had for her was
vi
his spurs had been bravely won in India,
but he had returned unscathed from his
search for death. lie was again in Eng
land-in Dodington--though Margaret
did not meet him till that afternoon.
She was paying a call at an old friends
house when he was announced.
Captain Morrison! The title was not
stranger to Margaret than the familiar
face now SO strangely aged and worn
No longer the chivalrous lad that had
won her love, but stern, strong willed
man who held Ler heart in his keeping,
clasped the trembling hand she held out,
and looked into her face with deep, sad
eyes, so changed, yet with the same pow
er to thrill her heart as of old, Nothing
but the merest formalities passed between
them, and with terrible dread weigh
ing her spirits down, Margaret took her
leave q few moments after his entrance.
She has sold herself for wealth. Now
with bitter remorse that was worse than
, vain, she was beginning the cost, to
, see what terrible bargain she had
made.
The next day was wet and stormy.
, Margaret sat Mt the piano, playing a
, melody that sounded like m accompani-
ment to the sohbng of the wind through
, the rain Her husband stood at the win
! dow, looking dismally out upon the lawn,
where soddeu leaves were driven to and
fro the great trees waiing above their
dead children.
Margaret"
"Well Robert" The MUSIC died away
, in long mournful tone.
How horrible lonely it is! We must
, fill the Court with company this autumn.
A few of these days spent indoors would
drive me mad"
"Why don't you go out' You can
take the close carriage. you know she
answered satrically.
Better do that than listen to the ghost
ly tunes you get out of that piano-they
make my hesh creep. For mercy's sake
don't play any more! say me must fil
the house with company.
GAS you please his wife returned
closing the piano and taking up book
r Her calm face irritated him,
IL do please then. One might rs vel
have q statue in the house as you Marga
r ret. Can't you have pity on fellow. ane
,oli, "a l;ttlo ~