Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-11-05

a touch of embarrassment crept WIN
the flush INTO her listeners face. as she
answered
ITS about Mr.. Thornton | wanted
to speak to you, Mabel. l hope you
Won't take it wrong, my dear, but he's
seen so much with you. and-and-'
And what, Mrs. BurchardT she
calmly questioned, although she no"
felt the blood pouring its hot torrent
into her cheeks.
1t was not only brought there by the
words to which she had listened, bat al
memory of o her words, low whispered
on,y last evening. at the gardan'ga'e'
She bad just descended from her
horse. and as Mr.. Thornton still held
her hand IN assisting her to allght' she
had laughinsly declared she no longer
needed tuition.
No. Mis- Mabel he had answered
but ou have already taught me my
lesson. Shall | tell YOU how sweet a
one il has proved? Some day' perhaps
nv teacher will let me tell her?
Then she had slipped her hand away
and run lightly into the house ; but
since that moment the world had grown
brighter aud faircr, for a something III
his tone, more than in his words had
told her what the lesson was TO which
he had referred. And now the little
town vas already busy with their names
To her proud. sensitive nature, it seem
ed sacriege.
We'll, YOU know, my dear the good
woman continued. sort of felt myself
responsible. having introduced him to
YOUR mother, and all that, and l thought
that maybe you hadn't properly under
stood him 10 be married man =
A married man?' Mabel fairly
gasped the question. and MIS- burch-
ard stole one plying glance at the
blanchcd face, from which all brightness
had fed with the recording blood. What
had his words meant, then, to her? II
could not be. 'Youare not mistaken !"
she said as calmly as she could.
4 have bis word for it, the other an
swerel.
Aud wiping of bar hands, she cross
ed the room, returning with letter,
whlsh she put into Mabel's trembling
fingers.
1t was the letter he had written Oh
his application for board:
Mrs. Thornton will want rooms in
t1e summer-on her return from Eu-
rome. For the present, desire only
accommodation for myself
Thank YOU, Mrs. Burchard,' Mabel
answered, so quietly that she wondered
at herself. as she returned The letter.
1t is very kind in you to tell me. Not
that it makes any real difference, she
continued, laughing. SUI, suppose
q married man ought not 10 give a young
lady riding lessons. BeJo that no
serious harm is done
Poor young thing! poor young
,hlneu sollIoquizsd the worthy woman,
watching the recediug figure. / wish
he, words were true, but l fear mott
fear notv -
And could she have looked an hour
later. into Mabel's room. where she
Law on the bed, her slight frame racked
with the cruel scbs that convulsed her
her tone of pity would have been deeper
still. But pity was something SHE
could not bear.
He shall never know!' she cried.
starting to her feet, and dashing away
her tears never know that had lal-
Ion 40 low as to believe his false words,
and love bim-love him in return J!
'Mabel?' 2
The voice. close beside her made her
start and tremble. For three days she
had avoided him as much as was posi-
BILE. never seeing him alone. She had
watched him 60 from the house. this
morning. and bad not known that he
was near, when bis low, tender utter
ance Of her name surprised the tears
trembling on her lashes.
'Well? she answered. Have you
forgotten something? Can l help you
find it?
Il have not forgotten. Mabel he re-
piled but you can help me in my
search. Aud yet hardly dare ask you
YOU seem so cold, 50 changed. What
is it. Mabel? Tell me in what way L
have Ohended you
Nonsense, Mr.. Thornton. 1t is on
ly your imagination at fault. l assure
YOU an not offended, striving to smile,
but still her head turned from him.
Not offended? Then, something else
is wrong-something which checks on
nv lips the words l long to utter ;
which
stop Mr.. Thornton-say no more !!
the girl cried, with flashing eyes and
burning cheeks, as she turned and faced
him.
is the story Of my love so hateful to
you? be questioned. Am l never to
tell you The secret lesson you have
taught me, and which, in my blindness.
I hoped returned? what have 1 done p
For Mabel had burst into bitter and
unrestrained weeping.
You think me weak and silly. and
childish she said, at last; but, in
spite of these tears, know that / despise
YOU. Mr.. Thornton-despise you as you
deserve
AS l deserve p he echoed.