Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-06-30


Dering would find his way to the rec
tory garden, Or the rectory parlor, to
spend long hours with Its fair young
mistress.
She understood 80 we'll why he came,
because now and then Lillian's name
drifted into the idle talk, and because,
40 he grew stronger, he dared speak OF
her and the love he had borne her. 1t
was a mingled pain and pleasure 10
listen, If only she had not learned
her own heart, the pain woald haye
boon less. But she was destined to
learn it more fatally, yet, as, one mern-
ing, strolling through the woods toge-
ther, the sharp report OF hunters gsn
close beside them startled them both.
The next instant her companion sank
white and seuseless on the sward be
side her, while the afinghted hunter,
whose mis-almed charge had entered
his arm, FASTENED forward.
Bring assistance, quicklyV eIclaim-
ed Edith, while she raised the heavy
head to her lap. Oscar, speak to me !!
sh moaned. Oscar! Oscar!
Over and over again she repeated bis
name in the same accents Of despairlng
love, until they seemed to force their
way into the life-pulses Of his being,
and rouse them to activity.
He opened his eyes with a half wan
dering look, as though delirium must
have overtakcn him.
At this instant the hunter returned
with assistance, and q half hour later
the wounded man had been borne to
the rectory, the wound dressed, and the
knowledge given that it was merely a
flesh hurt, painful but not dangerous
yet his recovery was q tedious affair.
He grew moody and abstracted. 1t
gave him more tine to think OF Lillian
and his loss, Edith thought, even while
she wondered why his eyes followed
her with such a strange, questioning
look. Once she entered bis room with
some freshly cut flowers in her hand.
Where shall I put them, Mr.. Der
ing'' she questioned. va,
Mr.. Dering" he answered. Did
not once hear you call me OscarP Or
was it sweet fancy-wafted from dream
land?'
Again the crimson tide dyed her face
'Don't!' she said, MS though he hat
hurt her, and hastensd from the room
bearing with her the flowers, and Il
seemed to him the light and sunshine.
Had he been blind all this time, and
was he jus. beginning to sce'
A frand ball was 10 be given a
Ames Court, at which Lillian insisted
that Edith should be present. The IN
valid was fully recovered now, and he
too, was summoned to the feast.
Miss Ames had plunged into con-
slant gaieiy since the breaking OF he
engagement TO Oscar Dering, but 1t al
had failed to Gil the empty place 10 he
heart.
On the evening OF her ball, she pick
ed up the paper sent down by the after
moons mail from London. Glan:ini
| idly over Its pages, she suddenly start
ed at seeing the name OF the man te
whom she so lately had been betrothed'
1t was published decision OF tn
court, that, owing TO some disability
the title could not descend to Osca
IDering's cousin, but, together with tn
estates, must remain in its possession.
He was, then, Lord Dering still
Fool that she had beenl But the de
cision had been made public but fe'
lhours. He would never dream OF th
accident which had brought it TO he
knowledge. Tonight, while he oil
thought her in ignorance, she must wi
him back. =.
l Never had she been more 'capriciou
with her toilet never had she locke
more ravishingly lovely than when sh
descended to receive her guests.
1t was late when he entered the spa
eious drawing rooms.
i have been waiting for you,' Oh
said, in her sweetest, lowest tones.
You honorsd me too greatly, Mi'
Ames,' he replied.
Let us 60 int the conservatory
added, 1T Is cooler there
Hid offered her his arm.
From a distant corner Of the room
Edith saw them.
'She need not have feared sf
thought bitterly-only, the next me
, ment, to reproach herself with be
] seI6shness. Il will not begrudge mir
. any happiness she said to herself.
Have you forgotten the last tin
1--we we're here together, Mr.. Denng
. Lillian was asking at this moment.
0 No. he answered, grsvely, lookir
u quietly bat surprisedly into the hsaut
, Ifal face beside him.
Al .Can one ever retrieve . mistake