The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-12-23

that she could never like this man.
When his calls began to be repeated fre-
| quently, fear came to her that made
her sick in soul. Did he intend to make
love to her sweet friend Victoria Could
there be possibility that Victoria might
learn to love him The very thought
filled her soul with strange dread. Yet
why should it
She had no tangible reason for her
opinion of the master of The Cedars, she
knew. Nothing but the consciousness,
confessed to no one but herself, that
there was something fierce, vicious, tiger
like, about the man consciousness
that would cause her to withhold from
him any one that she loved, even as she
would withhold that one from beast of
prey.
Then came the question, what could
she do ? What indeed ? Should she
state to Victoria her impressionsY
What would that avail ? She had no
foundation for any such statement save
her own vague fears of evil. If Victoria
had aught of regard for the man, what
could it avail for her to say simply that
she believed him to be bad man Love
had never been uprooted in any such
manner. Victoria was gentle and affec-
tionate, it was true I; but if she loved
man would she cling to him any the less
firmly for her gentleness No.
Barbara was compelled to acknowl-
edge to herself that she was powerless
in this matter-that she could only let
affairs take their course. 1t was highly
probable that Victoria would care moth
ing for the master of The Cedars; but
Barbara believed that it was not SO with
him in regard to Victoria.
Yet, after all, she was utterly mis-
taken. Her fears for her friend were as
baseless as castle of air. Victoria filled
scarcely thought of the master of The
Cedars.
Some invited guests came to DeVere's.
Among them was young man by the
name of Vincent Sherwood. He had
met Victoria before and che had i'm
pressed him strongly. Now he was evil
IDENTIFY very much attracted by her, and
his attentions were rather marked.
Barbara expected to see the master of
The Cedars angry with jealousy. She
was disappointed She saw that the
advances Vincent Sherwood was maxi
ing did not affect him, and were not re-
garded. He came to De Vere's as often
as ever, and seemed to rather like Vim
cent
Barbara began to understand that she
had been mistaken, and for Victoria's
sake she rejoiced greatly; at last she was
made fully aware that the master of The
Cedars cared naught for Victoria.
One afternoon he came, and, as il
happened, found her alone in the parlor.
He seated himself, and began to con-
verse; but he grew distracted in man
ner, and seemed unable to keep up his
share of the conversation.
Excuse me-" said Barbara presently,
"and / will summon some of the fam
ily."
She rose to her feet; but the master of
The Cedars sprang before her.
wait, Miss Lindsey, - he exclaimed;
sit is you WISH"
Barbara's gaze sought his face ques-
tioningly. His eyes were cleaning upon
her, and in an instant she read the
truth. How terribly she had been mis-
taken Her strength seemed to leave
her, and she sank into her seat with a
kind of sob. She lifted her hand with
deprecatory gesture; but the man needed
! her not.
" Miss Lindsey, | love you ~ he
cried. "Will you be my wife 7"
Suddenly strength and calmness came
to her.
"Mr. Cashel, you surprise me,'' she
said. 81 did not dream of this"
"Tell me: do you love me ?" exclaim-
ed the man.
Barbara saw that it was best to end 1t
all as soon as possible.
81 am sorry for you, Mr.. Cashel, - she
said firmly; but.I do not love you. 1
cannot be your Wife"
"You love some one else," he ex-
claimed angrily.
His white teeth showed his eyes
blazed upon her with wicked light
Barbara Lindsey could not but remem-
Der the beast that had tried to take her
life.
"No," she returned 81 love no one
else.n
But rich, musical voice echoed in