The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-07-11

way about you, ana you re very often in her
society for instance, you've been sitting by
her side all the afternoon and I'm not quite
sure that she understands you mean moth
ing. watched her rather closely to-day"
Il sat by her because it was the only seat
vacant, and she's nice, pleasant girl, said
Geofirey. We've always been capital
friends; but she's much too sensible to mis-
take friendship for love-"
"Perhaps SO, replied the other, with a
sigh "but it's just tbis-if you are not in
earnest, am. l know you are not the fel-
low TO stand in my way willingly, and /
thought, if l told you, you wouldnt-that
is, you would mean you'd keep away
rom her. You're nasty rival to have.
Never fear, my dear fellow" answered
Geoffrey, putting his hand on Toms
shoulder ''Ill never get in your way again,
and, as to Miss Dayrell, she quite under
stands me, assure you"
probably she does" sighed Tom. 81
know she's a good deal pleasanter to you
than me. Anyhow, shall be awfully CRATE
full if you keep out of the way-and it's very
good of you to take it 80. Good night. |
shall be late for dinnrr if don't turn back. !"
Good night and good luck to you"
And then Geofrey Chetwynd walked on
with thoughtful face, pondering what Tom
Lee had said. Was he so sure that Eva
Dayrell understood his feelings? He had
spoken in all honesty, but, now that he
looked back to that afternoon and its events,
there were one or two things that caused
him slight feeling OF misgiving. Had he
not seen, when she opened her purse, tiny
dead lii of the valley that reminded him OF
a bouuuet he had given her in the spring,
when his friendship for her was at its warm
est? He wonld not have thought of it had
it not been TOR the quick look she gave him
MS she hurriedly closed the purse, and her
heightened color rs she met his eye. Bah !
that only meant that she feared he had seen
il and would chaif her. Some other fellow
might have given it to her-perhaps Tom
himself. Certainly she had been very snap.
pish about Mrs Elton-but then no pretty
girl likes to hear another praised In her
presence. So Geoffrey comforted himself,
but registered firm vow meanwhile to be
more cautious for the future. Tom was
very good fellow, and would make her q
capital husband, though she would rule him
entirely, as his heart was stronger than his
head.
Here Geoffrey's meditations ended, as he
entered his tiny lodgings, and dinner took
ths place of Eva Dayrell. II was dark, save
for the light of the stars and very young
moon, when he had finished, and, lighting
his pipe, he strolled up the village toward
the cottage Mrs. Elton was singing when
he reached it. and, more careless of being
discovered, he leaned against the gate and
listened, 1t was not 1.-The Banks of Allan
Water this night, though old songs still
aye banks and braes," soft in the shlly
night" "Auld Robin Gray"-all songs of his
mothers; and Geoffrey's eyes were dim as
he stood gazing seaward, or paced slowly up
and down the solitary road. The music
ceased, and two minutes later she stood at
the gate, tall, slight figure in white, look
ing like some lovely spirit, Godfrey thought,
in the uncertain light. She started as he
came forward, and turned as if to retreat
but stopped when she saw who it was
I'm afraid startled you," he said, smil-
ing 'please forgive me. I have been en-
ioying your singing. Those dear old songs
took me back to the days of my childhood
when my mother used to sing to me. One
never hears them now"
"They are in an old book that belonged
| to my mother" she answered 9ravely u
never get new songs in this remote part OF
he world. do not know what are pretty
"NMy send you some when ! go back to
town. he asked, trying to speak carelessly
81 often attend ballad concerts, and | think
1 know what would suit your voice and
please you"
Thank you prefer the old ones" she
said.
Godfrey felt rebuked II was tantalizing
to be so snubbed by this young, lonely
creature, and it probably made him more
in earnest than he would otherwise have
been.
''At any rate I will send you the names
of the prettest" " he answered, after slight
pause, "and perhaps, when you know me
better, you will let me send some songs,
II am not very likely to know you bet
ter, she said quietly. Il live here, and you
will probably return to town soon, and never
see this place again" =,
II am quite sure | shall come here again.
he returned quickly; 'and do not feel very
anxious to leave it. The place takes my
fancy" She did not answer, and, after a
pause, he went on: 81 have been lunching
with the Temples to-day. Lady Temple
spoke of you, and seems sorry that you will
not make friends She said you repelled all
her advances
Lady Temple is very kind" she answered
| SLOWLY. ''DuJ 40 NOV hitIlt w eAkeSt 'hvC
society. In my small experience of it, l
have not found the world very kind"
"Not kind to you! can hardly credit
hat"
"It is true nevertheless" she answered
sadly. "Do look like a woman on whom
life has smiled?"
No; but life has hardly begun for you
yet. Brighter days are before you, | feel
| A al, cfta1, 11pg ont /,
sunny day, you know" he said, smiling
down at the fair young face
But he met with no answering smile.
The pretty mouth quivered for moment
with very different emotion as she an
swered, slowly and dreamily:
There can be no sunshine for me now.
The calm gray of my present life is all that
[ can expect, and that may be taken from
me at any moment. But good night Mr.
Chetwynd. | must not stand here talking
to YOU, careless as l am of the worlds
opinion.
She held out her hand over the low gate,
and he took it in his for the first time and
never before had Geofrey Chetwynd's hear
quickened as it did at the touch of those
soft, warm fingers.
GOOD night, Mrs. Elton" he said warm
w. 81 shall stroll along the cliffs while the
music of those dear old songs fingers in my
ears. You do not know the pleasure you
have given me-"
Il am very glad" she responded in hel
grave tones and then she turned and walkoC
toward the house, whilst Geotfrey wandered
slowly on.
Relighting his pipe, which had gone ou
during his conversation with Mrs. Elton, he
thrust his hands deep into his pockets ant
took himself to task as he had done before.