Daily globe., 1879-06-08

hidden in the tlossy gold of her lovely
hair. 1850 4. .'.r., r. '.--
! / had heard of this fair girl, and that
her home would henceforth be at Gray
Fell. But for the first time, it occurred
to me that she might beIdestincd to. step
between me and the man I'had slowly
learned to think of only too tendcrly
+ With sharp, jealous pang extended
my hand to Albert Lalor, who had hast
ened tome, his fine eyes glowing withad-
Emiration and pleasure.
His greeting was cordial and evidently
pleased his mother. gaf
"But why don't you kiss her, my son,
/ as in the old daysg'' she smiled gayly...f
j And, with an answering smile, Albert
bent his grand head and pressed his
bearded lips. lightly to mine. @
'sAh, what "a charming blush?" laughed
my stepmother, touching my glowing
cheek carressingly with her soft, white
| fingers.
I smiled, but my heart throbbed pain
fully under the ruby velvet bodice that
became me so WE'LL Beneath the pres
sure of those bearded lips my wayward
woman's heart had leaped from tender
ness to a full, fierce, passionate love.
| II lifted my eyes, lustrous with the
new born feeling, to the handsome smil-
ing face OF my brother, and again, my
heart swelled with jealous pain at the
sight Of its unruttied calm.
| But the next moment Madame Viele
claimed my attention.
''Vi, dearest, my great-niece, Peri Hol-
brook" She smiled.
turned my eyes from Albert's face to
meet the eager, half affrighted gaze Of the
golden-haired girl I could not but admire.
I bowed, and somewhat coldly accepted
the proffered hand, and answered the few
musical words Of gentle welcome. Then
I involuntarily flashed q swift glance at
Albert.
All! how the blood leaped through my
veins! And how hated the charming
creature standing before me, so regally
graceful and sweet. Yes, hated her; for
there could be no mistaking the brooding
tenderness and passion with which my
stepbrother was regarding her.
But only for an instant did his eyes be-
tray him; and as the pleasant hours of the
evening flew by, grew half disposed to
laugh at my jealous pain. Nevertheless
when my stepmother followed me to my
loom smiled lightly.
"Peri is very lovely, mamma, and AL
bert seems to admire herr
Madame Viele turned q glance upon
me that covered my face with a food Of
color
"Nay, nay" she laughed softly the
next instant, winding her arms caress.
ingly about me. "You have no cause fol
jealousy, my love. Albert is heart-whole
and knows we'll that it is my dearest wish
to see him your husband. knowing this,
she added, with naughty sternness, he
would not dare brave me by loving anoth
er." Then, with swift return to he1
former tenderness, she continued: "My
dear child, I trust you can make me hap
| py by loving my handsome and noble
son2n &
could not bear the gaze of her pene
trating black eye, soft as it was, and m,
face dropped blushingly to her friendly
shoulder.
II am eloquently answered, love-" sht
whispered softly; s'and let me say that
with your rare beauty and winning grace
you are sure to garner his whole heart
May Heaven bless you, my dear!'
Then as she kissed me good night, she
cried earnestly:
1 "'Don't rush into jealousy, vi. Peri il
q good and beautiful girl; but Alber
gives her only cousinly affection. Though
she is in no way dependent upon me pc
cuniarily, promised her dying mothe
to give her home at Gray Fell, as yo,
know and you can see, my love, hov
very unpleasant it would make it for yo,
to brood over foolish jealousy. So
dear, put all that nonsense out of you
charming head and rest assured that
am right. Ny eyes are keen, and in tn
eighteen months she has been at Ora
Fell must inevitably have penetrated
secret Of that kind.''
"Of course mamma is right" I mur
INJURED as the door closed on her imperia
form, and summoned Manton.
But my maid dismissed, sat down i
r my dressing gown and stared at the glow
ing Goals, my thoughts and feelings in a
anxious whirl. After time rose, sigf
: ing impatiently.
II can't sleep, I will go down and g
= book
! With the words l crept out into tn
hall.
e. I had traversed half it's length whe
y the sound of stealthy steps on the stai1
: sent me with bated breath behind IL
= heavy damask curtains Of a window ne,
+ me.
:? Burglars were in my mind, but mao
] L 4,
s paused few feet from me and I W;
quickly undeceived
h A voice I well knew, murmured
e hushed tones, "Don't grieve, my darlin
n it will all come right. Only be patien
0 my own"
And felt more than heard the so
d kiss that finished the sentence
It was Peri's voice that answered.
e "Oh, Albert! Albert" she breathed, ia
o teringly. "Where is it all to end? "
: have done very, very wrong, deare
- And oh, Albert, she loves you! 1 saw
d in those great, passionate, dusky eyes
st hers tonight, and in vague terror of Il
IS future stared almost wildly at her
If Aunt Ray presented me-
IL Z! ."!Nonsense Do you want to make II
L vains" laughed my stepbrother softl
u And then he murmured in graver accent
It "You say we have done wrong, darlin
Remember that we had to choose betwet
Y two evils. Remember that my moth
v possesses an iron will. She would ha,
ground us both to powder rather ths
/, consent to what we
e yes, yes, know" sighed Peri, befo
+ he could finish the sentence was panti1
e to hear.
''Then cease to grieve, darling
y whispered. Sand now, once more, goc
n night"