Sharp County record., 1880-05-20

| SaSn Wllu uGI SlCluCI NllitO Ill VIZ
every well," said Walter, tossing
the brown hair, which the damp even
inc air had made into soft brown rings,
from his forehead. George bowed.
"If am ill.," said he, "and send for
you"
"rn never 90 to you, Walter Mars
ton, neverm interrupted the young
girl. s
lips of Walter, as he turned half reluct-
antly away. ,
"Take this, if you please" cried
George; and l could see her draw
hastily golden circlet from her finger.
"And this" snatching from her neck
golden cross; 81 want nothing OF
yours about men'
"Do not dare to thrust such paltry
trifes in my face, George Abbott, or
even you may find that there is bound
to nv endurance" said Walter.
AsI sat trying to soothe my per-
turbed thoughts back to the quiet chan
mel in which they were wont to flow, l
heard the quick step of Walter Marston
in the corridor that led to my room,
and before | could wipe the tears from
my eyes he raped hastily at my door.
81 am come to bid you goodbye" "
he said, as | met him. 81 shall start
for home tomorrow.
$50 soon, Walter! How is this?" I
asked. placing him in chair 81
thought your visit was to have ended in
very different manner.
"Oh, there seems little use in re-
manning here longer" he replied. " l
am not feeling very strong yet, and a
home atmosphere is better than any
other for an invalid"
"In some cases, though l should
hardly think so in yours" =" | answered.
"Will Miss Abbott return to Cadlands
with you?"
81 think not" said he.
"And why?" l asked.
because, Elsa, she hates me, be-
cause she has never loved me-" he an
swered, with vehemence that quite
startled me.
1t was useless for me to try and con-
ceal from Walter my knowledge of
his quarrel with George; so l told him
as plainly and simply as could what
| knew of it, begging him to be led by
calm, cool Judgment in the affair,
rather than the fierce, passionate coun-
selings of his meaner nature, which
threatened to oyerpower the good.
"But George does not love me" said
he.
"You are mistaken, Walter; she does
love you," l replied. "She has been
hasty, even as you have been; but can
you not pardon her as you hope to be
pardonedP"
"Did you ever love?" he asked,
quickly, fixing his dark hazel eyes
upon my face, regardless of the ques-
ton | had asked him. "And if so,
would it have been possible for you
to allow such words to fall from your
lips, as fell from Georges this even
ing?"
1I haze loved, Walter,n I said, in a
quivering voice. 81 loved fervently,
and with all the strength of a warm,
passionate heart; and more, l spoke
Just such cruel words to the man |
loved as Georgia addressed to you this
evening. My words were like keen steel,
They ran between his heart and mine,
seyering them forever. That is why my
life is a sad and lonely one. Oh, let it
be lesson to you"
Tears shone in the dark eyes of Wal
ter, and with rapid movement he was
by my side with outstretched hands,
saying:
"Oh, Elsa! l have your secret at
last. Elsa, dear cousin Elsa, you once
loved my brother Robert! Donot shake
your head-I am sure of it; and that is
why you are moping your life away
here, and why Robert stays away from
home so long"
"Do not speak of this, Walter" l
said, eagerly clasping his hands. eff
you have any regard for me do otspeak
of it to-to-n
"WhomP" he replied.
"To him." l replied.
"To Robertpn said he.
l bowed my head.
"lt shall be as you WISH" he an
swered, very thoughtfully.
"And now let us talk of George"
said, anxious to turn the conversation
into a new channel.
"And what of her?" asked Walter,
growing chilly as an iceberg at the mere
mention of her name.
she loves you," repeated.
"That remains to be seen," was the
crustily-given reply.
"And may l prove it to you" l
asked "Will you allow yourself to be
convincedp"
eff l can nothelp it, most certainly" "
was the answer.
"And will you trust everything to
me, and do as bid yOu?"