The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-07-24
#isreAang
RENEE's LOVE.

How Victor Gray's Patient Affection Wa.
ut Last Rewarded.
Renee! Renee?"
The sweet French name foated out from
the open window of the cottage, and Renee
CORTLAND came out from the shadow OF
dropping trees, her broad hat hanging
loosely on her shoulder where she had
pushed it back from her face while stand
ing in the shadow. Margaret Gray's voice
had reused the girl from dreams of Lester
Sinclair, the handsome, blue-eyed stranger
visiting at the house that nestled amid
linden trees IN the hollow below where
the old-fashioned cottage of the Grays
stood. She had been dreaming of his deep
Laughing eyes, his sunny, chestnut curls,
his gay, nonchalant manner. that always
changed to tenderness for her. Whatever
was tine charm of Lester Sinclair's man.
ner, he had sureiey won the first love OF
Renee Courtland's girlish heart. Years
before the father of Renee CORTLAND had
left her to the care of Margaret Gray
fair, calm, Margaret Gray-who had been
his girl-love in their early youth, and who
had never married in memory of that first
love dream. She scarcely knew herself
what had come between them, only it had
ended in bitter words and still more Bit
ter parting. and then, in his passion,
Charles CORTLAND had married a pretty,
dark-eyed French girl-the mother of Re-
nee.
Years after, when his wife died, he had
come to his early love and asked her to be
his wife and mother to his child.
But, with all her gentleness. Margaret
Gray was prouder than many naughty
women, and she gravely answered him
mo" Gently. almost sorrowfully, vet
still it was mo"
He made no second appeal, knowing
how useless it would be.
But when, three years later, death CALI
ed himself, he left his orphaned. penniless
child to the care of Margaret Gray.
The child had grown up to a dark,
slender maiden, with great gray eyes and
q childlike smile, to be the darling of
Margaret Gray's heart and the day-star of
Victor Gray's life.
Some distance down the road Victor
Gray stood leaning against a tree, his
face grave and thoughtful, even beyond
its wont.
He was not q handsome man, this Victor
Gray. But there was something better
than beauty in his proud, dark face, for
manhood was stamped on his broad brow.
Courage, honor, and truth CLEANED in his
eyes, and though the general expression
Of his face was stern, his smile could be
gentle almost as a woman's and this man
loved pretty childish Renee with all the
strength of his heart, and she, well, she
loved Lester Sinclair.
He threw away his half burned cigar
and turned toward the cottage, his face
still gravely stern.
Renee came to meet HIM.
"Oh Victor, can't ! 90 down to Ray
monds this evening? Kathie Is going TO
have a croquet match. Margaret SAYS
no, but you-oh, Victor, may / not 90?
You might come with me, Victor, Kathie
asked you"
He locked at the pretty. childish face.
"Yes, l will 20, Renee" he sand,
Two hours later Renee came down look.
ing like Wild rose in her pink muslin
robes. with clustering flowers in her
breast and hair.
ground, so kathie and Renee played a
game by themselves.
Victor Gray watched Renee with pas
slOu0tC ply lux eyes, kuOWluR tue pain In
store for her, which he had been too COW
ardly, he thought bitterly, to warn her
of.
n could not tell her." he said, land
vet wish had"
He watched her wistfully. turning pale
rs he saw how her eyes wandered to the
gate. She had thrown her hat aside and
the soft breeze lifted the short, dark curls
OF her low brow and deepcned the rose
TINT on her cheeks.
He saw the red lips part in smiles and
the lovely dark eyes deepen, and turning
towards the gate he saw Lester Sinclair
coming up the pathway, lady leaning on
his arm.
The one look at Renee's face told Victor
that she never suspected the truth.
Her faith. like her love. was unwayer-
ing. She believed in Lester Sinclair as
she did in her own loyal love.
The lady on his ARA was a delicate lit
lie thing, with certain kind Of beauty Of
the wax-doll order. with big blue ewes,
dainty features and clustering fiaxea hair.
They came forward TO where Renee
stcod.
Glare" he said. ''this is the young
lady ! told YOU Of, Miss CORTLAND. Res
CORTLAND. my betrothed wife, |
Aln Duvane!"
His oetxothed wife!"
Tho woedh rang IN Reneo's eaxR. TIL