The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1879-01-02

{ cealeu from an interested WOflu. MISS
Royston seemed, too, to be receiving
his attentions with favor and complai-
sance.
Daglish might witness thepostion OF
events with despair of spirit, but as her
guardian he could make no reasonable
objection to Arthur Young, who was
an honest, handsome young fellow, and
heir to good property. Beforehand,
though, he would not have supposed
him the kind of man to attract bright,
original Nell Royston. Her preference,
however, was clear enough; in fact,
with the encouragement Young re-
ceved, the only marvel was that he did
not urge his suit more boldly.
The new year had come in, and all
the Hall guests were gone save Arthur
Young; and lie would appear to have
taken up permanent residence there.
81 wish had one of those crimson
roses thatare in the conservatory, said
Miss ROyston late one afternoon, as
they all sat in the drawing-room.
"They are all well out now, you can
have twenty" said Graham Daglish,
looking off his paper for a minute.
Let me get them for you, Miss Roys-
ton," said Young, with very unneces-
airy alacrity Graham Daglish thought.
"IIow shall | lind them!"
"Thank you, you are always kind.
| will show you the tree" replied
Miss Royston, with still more unneces-
sary alcrity ill-used Daglish considered.
The pair strolled away into the con-
servatory, Daglish wishing, too late,
that he had offered to get the blossoms.
To torment himself further he pulled
out his watch to observe how long the
offenders would be gone.
But at length the guilty ones reap
peared, just as twenty minutes were
completed; not bad allowance of time
for plucking a couple Of roses. Dag
lish surreptitiously pocketed his watch,
affecting not to notice their return; but
every gay laugh of Nell's went into his
bosom like poniard thurst.
The next day was one of singular
beauty as regards weather, and the sad
dlehorses were ordered round early, for
Arthur and Elinor proposed to take
long ride.
As she stood by her steed, Daglish Of
fered to help Miss Royston mount.
"You need not trouble" J." said Elinor,
coldly, the incident of his neglect with
regard to the flower ranking in her
MUD. 81 prefer the groom; you either
lift me short, or nearly fling me over
on the other side"
At tbs same time Young rushed for
ward, and seeing only a servant in at
tendance, cried
"Let me put you up, Miss Rogston."
And she accepted his attendance with
the most gracious smile.
Upon their return, which was not
until three or four o'clock in the after
noon, Daglish noticed that ElinOr was
very much subdued in spirits.
TO this circumstance, though, he did
not attach much meaning orimportance
until an event the following morning
gave the depression and ailment new
significance. The event was Arthur
Young's making the startling an
nouncement in the course of breakfast
of a necessity for his leaving by the
first train.
sis it possible Mr.. Young? and so
suddenly, too" exclaimed Mrs. Dag
lish.
"YOu don't really mean it, old mani"
cried Graham Daglish.
The only person who showed no sur
prise was Miss Elinor Royston.
"Well, Nell, are we to have we'd
ding?" asked Mrs, Daglish, while they
were still sitting in the unsettled state
that hasty departure of one member
leaves any family.
AT that same inoppOrtune moment
servant entered with message from
poor widow, a pensiOner at the Hall,
begging she would see her with respect
to some trouble that she was in.
OF hustled the kindly old lady, leav-
ing Graham and Elinor to discuss the
delicate topic she had introduced.
sis that true, Nell?" asked Dagllsh
in a low tone,
'What if it be?" said Miss Royston,
flashing defiance upon him from her
eyes. "It is nothing to you"
"Nothing9" he cried. cit is much,
Elinor," he said, speaking calmly, but
with a certain tender gravity, "Your
happiness is almost my chief concern.
Arthur Young is good enough fellow,
his position suitable, and all that, if
you feel that he is calculated to make
you happy, and you love him."
at is something to be loved--to feel
that one is cared for. Love to me Is
what wateris to man dying Of thirst"
she cried passionately.
"Elinor! Is that speech the fit re-
ward of your treatment here?"
"Forgive me--torgive me ~ she said,
into tears. II am ungrateful;
but that is just my trouble; am spe-
cies of dependant; the recipient Of cha
rlty-klndly, generous charity, still
charity"
"Well," he said, The took both her
hands into his and looked straight at |
her. 81 think you should know how
much your presence is valued here. TO
my mother you are almost necessary,
and as for myself" he added; with a
curious break in his voice, "gone, you