Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-04-02

And was content again until, pass
ing Lilian's door, long after we had re-
tprned home. heard her sobbing.
What allied the child? For weeks she
had been growing pale and nervous or
6tfuIly gay. and never had her music
moved me to tears as it had done oflate.
Amt Charlotte seemed changed tos'
tender to me with an added Sentleness'
and over .crupulous about leaving me
alone with Rudolph.
I wished sometimes that Rudolph was
mot quite so careless and merry. lie
i.sted about all things, and yet L have
heard him sigh over Lilian's sad song as
60 No wos broken-hearted. 1t made me
Cool old that so often their merrlmeht
;orrod npon me, for when Rudolph trst
came he treated Lillian like the child he
had left five years before. When we
rode they would race their horses leav-
inc me far behind for am not a brave raw!
horse woman. while Lilian' so sehsl'l'e
and gentle at all times, is fearless on
Tbsv would sing gleeful duets togeth-
or. Rudolph's clear tenor well support
mo Ljlian's sweet, pure notes whlle l
hur,il,otinc to confess, had become 50
Hsarsted with leading childish fingers
,hrouoh scales and exercises that uev-
or touched a piano when it could DC
avoided. ,,.
7 looked upon it all complacentiy
onourb often turning to smile at John
80 those two tested or made merry at
NV cxpeuse, butt did not like 10 see II
al change. Of late Lillian had seldom
como into the drawing-roem during hu-
1o,nh,s visits. and Rudolph missed her.
7 yos sure of that; for, while he was
a,rovs ofrecticnate and kind, he was
abstracted often.
John too, stayed away more tnan
.,oro1 ord John was my best friend.
moa rot even as confidential to Rudolph,
for he had been five years away ana
was not changed as l was.
II was altogether strangely uncom,
aLo, ono considered that l
'uast ' 70 I've married in October and 90 to
rmrope with Rudolph, whose ancestors
we're German, and who had desire TO
visit his graudfather's home in Muuicn,
,,ion had helped to plan out a most
,om,,inc tour for US through England.
France. Spain. Italy and Germany anu
o9mplimcnted US both upon
our German, which ~" " . = .,..,ooE
his mother having taught him to sp'""
1t at home. ,,,
The day after the ball was stormy
and we slept late. At least L did not
sleep. but stayed in my room. Ihere
,.ore some letters to be written ana
,ros nrenarine a rou h draft ola deed Oh
rirt 70 Aunt Charlotte. did not want
,vo town houses, and Rudolph had
bourht a superb mansion that he was
atting up for his bride. So my house
ro.olyed to give to Aunt Charlotte WIN
.,fT,;ont sum TO maintain her IN COM
fort after had left her. Nobody Kne"
hut .Iobn. and he was coming to take
NV raners and make them out legally
hid I say John was a successful lawyer
Lnew that he would come, even II II
did rain. though scarcely expected
Rudolph till evening, as the rain would
nrevent our proposed excursisn'
Il was late in the forenoon when l
,,ont down to the library, small room
odioininq the long drawing room' ana
scnarated from it by a curtalned arc",
Being a woman's home the library 'au
never been very extensive-more cosy
readinr-room than study.
was waiting there for john nest
limo in an easy chair. and wondering Il
# was the ball that made me so lansul"'
when I heard the drawing-room door
omen. and presently Lillian touched the
KEYS of the grand piano. her hngerS
clidino into a dreamy nocturne that vas
one Of her late favortes. The curtains
were looped so that 1 could see her. IN
hor white dress. with no ornament but
soft lace. and | sighed to see how white
ond wan she locked, what quiyerlhg
main was on her sweet mouth, and III
her large eyes.
Some one else saw it, for, while she
nlaved. Rudolph came in. All the me'.
riment was gone now from his face ana
be leaned on the piano, listening ana
not noting how her fingers ialtered as
he fixed his eyes upon Lilian's iace'
When be spoke, he said;
lam going away Lillan.'
.You are wlse,' she said, family.
& can make some excuse TO Deooy'
and will stay IN town until you all
come-to-the-wedding! was mis-
erable coward last night, Lilian' tortur-
inc YOU and myself; but | will not
offend again.
No she said, gently, L am sure OF
that. We must both be brave, Tor Deo'
by must never know. Neither you nor
I could be false to Debby, Rudolph
Think what she has been to me!
And to me A! My faithful love'
The mist was gone from my eyes,
and I knew the whole secret OF what
had puzzled me. These two loved each
other. Rudolph had found the gentle
sympathetic love that suited his manly
nature, and Lillian the brave protector
loI