Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-06-04

II
make that part of the bargains that
she's to be let home afore dark, and IL
gets dark now by six-fall days are
shorter than summer ones. So she'll
be here soon. It's clearing up
1t was clearing up, and it was also
growing dark, so promising to send
home the borrowed dress in the morn
ng. Alice started for home.
She smiled at herself as she stood be-
fore the cottage mirror, for she had not
worn gay color since her fathers
death, five years before.
Lizzie's blue dress, scarlet shawl aud
cav Sunday hat were oddly out OF
place upon the slender figure, and
setting of the pale, refined face of
Alice Hill.
Dear me- said the old woman. i
hope You'll soon chink up bit, Miss
Alice, and take Off your black. The
oil gentleman has been dead year,
now. Them roses do suit you beautl'
full
Alice glanced at the staring red
flowers reflected IN the mirror, and
smiled as she said;
Il will take great care of Lizze's hat
Mrs. Mason. Goodbye, and thank
YOU
II was nearly dusk, and there was
ouarter Of mile to walk before home
was reached, so Alice hurried through
the grove. where the trees had already
shut out the lingering daylight.
She had tied a small veil OF gray
tissue over the gaudy hat, as she left
the cottage, and she hoped, if she met
any acquaintanc.s, she would escape
recognition.
When She was half way through the
grove she heard quick footsteps coming
from the village. and moment later
voice said, You are punctual,' and she
was caught for moment in Godfrey
Hill's arms.
She knew his voice and tried to free
herself, before realizing that he had
mistaken her for the village beauty.
POOH he said, d,releasing her. Don't
nut on airs. liz. We're You going to
the house,
Yes she answered family indig-
nant and yet curious, her woman'S wit
quickly seeing his error.
Unjust 90, too, before long, though l
had far rather stay here in the wood
with you, sweetheart
Your sweetheart is at the house
Alice sald, trying 10 assume the jealous
tone Of an uneducated girl.
What! That chalky-faced girl in
black? Not a bit of it. Didn't love
yeu long before she came to take what
Is mine Z
Anda curse followed.coupled with her
own name. that thrilled Alice Hill with
horror.
But they say you will marry her.
she persisted, calming her voice as well
as she could.
'They say right I will marry her.
and have my own! Then. when she IS
dead YOU shall have your old beau
AGAIN. Lizzie. and come to the great
house my wife. 1t IS only waiting a
year or two.'
But she may not die " gasred the
horrow-stricken girl.
She will die! I will have no line
lady taking what is minc-mine' tell
YOU! But what ails you: You are
shaking as ifyou had an ague fit I've
talked it all over often enoug before,
and YOU never went of into such
shakes! 1t is nothing new Pm telling
you
Observation-Disclosures T.
her?' the poor girl gasped, drawing her
veil closer.
Come now. none Of that was the
rough answer; you're not going back
on me. now, after all you've heard OF
nv plans. You've sworn TO keep my
secrets. or I'd never have told you
them. But what is the matter p
Andhere Alice found herself shaken
with no gentle hand, to her great indiS-
nation. But her fears overmastered
anger. Godfrey was heir-at-law to her
newly acquired fortune, and ifhe sus-
pected her identity,in those dark woods
she did not doubt, after what he had
already said, that he would take hel
life.
1 am not WE'LL she said, freeing her
self from the rough grasp on her arm
and l must hurry on. wait ior me
here. until l do an errand at the house
and come back
BE quick then,' was the grufi reply
And as if in haste, the scoundre
might well be satisfied at the rapid''
, with which his companion left him.
She scarcely knew how she reached
her home, tore of her borrowed finer!
and wrote to Godfrey Hill, declining TN
honor he had proposed TO her, but glvIni
no other reason for her refusal than tn
: statement that she did not love hin
sufficiently to be his.
Mamma she said, coming into IN
drawing room. 4 have written to GOD
frey, refusing bis offer, and sent IN
letter to him by James. | have re
membered who and what he is.'
Mr.. Godfrey IIill's amazement wa
Lo,odod whom returning TO III