Daily globe., 1879-01-26

Cudl DtAld was Ill AOVo Will u1u, ana ClaC
he was the Edgar Neville of my adora-
ton; all that she stated OF his appearance
and family were convincing.
At length letter came addressed in
manly hand to Uncle Ritson, with Edgar's
well-known crest upon the seal. It was
proposal for my cousins hand.
My head swan round, but summoned
courage to ask Mr.. Nevilles Christian
name. He had merely signed j. E. Ne
vile.
All, that was it, sure enough-John
Edgar!
had my back towards my uncle,
standing in the doorway, as I asked. No
one noticed how I staggered into the hall,
or how snatched my hat from the stand
and darted up the mountain side to cool
my fevered brow and still my throbbing
pulses. How I went or where went I
could never remember; have some re-
collection Of falling as I bounded across
a beck, of old Elspa's face bending over
me, and then no more, until found my
self in my own snowy bed, with Winnie
watching me and an array Of phYsic bot
ties on the window seat.
Elspa had found me where had fallen,
half in and half out Of the stream. I'm
able to drag me thence she had sum-
moned help with q peculiar whistle she
kept suspended to her girdle, the shrill
note Of which no shepherd dared to DISC
bey.
1t brought a couple of shepherds to the
spot. My limbs were lifted out Of the
stream she had already bathed my
brow and plastered up my temple-and
then was carried slowly down, to inter
rupt the answer Uncle Ritson was send
ing to Bella and Mr.. Neville
My fall and the immersion were ac-
credited with the prolonged fever which
almost batfled my good uncle's skill. If
any one suspected otherwise it was CID
Elspa, but she was too 'swise" to revert to
the subject when she came to see me ere
my convalescene.
Very slow was my recovery, retarded
no doubt by the scraps Winnie read to
me as pleasant 1eaos from her sisters let
| ters. ltWas now Eddie this, or eddie"
that; and as I shut my eyes and ground
my teeth, the better to endure, I felt in
dignant that my noble -fronted Edgar
should have a pet name like baby. To
me he had the majesty of monarch.
How could she address him so?''
| was down stairs before Christmas
came, able and willing to assist my aunt
in her multitudinous preparations, and
tried to smile and look gratifed during
| the Christmas merrymaklng.
had heard but hardly seemed to real
ize, that Bella was to be married early in
| the new year, and that she and Der hus-
| band would come and spend the honey
moon with US, and was doing my best
to nerve myself for the meeting.
. The old year was closing in. Elspa-
who else?-came up to the house with
letter she had found lying in a by-road.
1t should have been delivered some days
previously; and it was supposed that the
postman had taken more drink than was
good for him during the Christmas
''camdings," and dropped it by the way.
Goodness! how that letter stunned me!
Bella was by that time married. She
and her husband were to be with us on
New Years day, and they should bring
with them New Years gift for Cousin
Adela, as q thank Offering for tringing
them together. Their photographs were
enclosed
Isaw only the one. Yes, it was Edgar's.
There was no mistake.
The house was at once in hustle of
preparation. Again I slipped out, to hide
my agony ano prepare myself for the
coming trial.
Dreamily went along. Isaw nothing
before me but that meeting On the morrow
and the revelation it was sure to bring.
My mind seemed chaos, in which
thought was lost.
All at once found myself on the reedy
margin of the lake, as the silver circle of
the moon was rising above the mountain
tops. And there stood, looking on the
dark waters, whilst something seemed to
whisper to me that there was peace; that
I need not meet the proud bride and nv
inconstant love unless chose; that I
might hide my sorrows and secrets there,
and none be the wiser.
My foot was on the brink. There was
a step on the stones behind me- turned;
and l think my half-formed purpose was
visible in nay foce, as I once more con-
fronted old Elspa, weird and witch like
in the moonlight, a warning finger held
up.
Sharp were her words, sharp as nv need.
She bade me go down on my knees, and
thank God that He had sent her to save
me from my third peril the peril of body
and soul. What was I pulling over?
What right had I to fling away the life
that was given for the service of others?
How dared I tempt death, loving the
creature more than the Creator? She had
heard my raving to the winds when l
thought myself alone, and had kept a
watch upon me. And she bade me go
back home, and pray to be forgiven, and
to ''trast the Lord to make His dark
ways plain"
She took me by the hand, and led me
back like penitent child; said to nv
aunt that she thought I was not we'll, and,
by her leave, would watch me through
the night. Something she gave me, too,
and slept.
When awoke chaise was at the gate,
and before could fasten my dress with
my trembling fingers Bella had burst in,
radiant with happiness, and flung her
arms around me.
"Come, Adela, make haste!' said she.
"Edward is all impat1ence to see you and
show you our New Years gift"
"EdwardWI gasped.
eyes, my dear Edward! Did you not
know his name?"
It was all a tangle. I followed her to
the iving-room below, where the great
holly bush was hanging, and there stood
a stranger, who was introduced to me as
James Edward Neville, my new cousin
and surely, too, Edgar, my own Edgar;
for he held out his arms and caught me
as I was falling.