The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1880-12-10

Nell IS taken to dinner by Lord Hawk
hurste. with whom rumor had already
coupled her name and Captain Drum
mond has the felicity Of facing her and
seeing the ..hateful puppy summing him-
self in her smiles and apparently absorb
Ing all her attention, though why Nat
should object he himself could hardly say.
Whether by chance or design, Nell and
Drummond do not exchange word that
night but he feels her presence and OBJ
serves her every look. and when she siugs
again and yet again, he listens, batting the
siren voice which has allured him to des-
truction- yet lovingly drinking In every
sad cadence. He halt resolves TO leave on
the morrow !; but then he thinks Il would
be shame TO miss the twelfth. while it
will be amusing 10 watch her weli prac-
ticed arts. ON the silly moth who hoyeTs
round her.
50 be judges her; the pillow Of the
girl who has been 30 gay aud winsome
that night is. however. wet witt. bitter
tears. and her faithful coily, who sleeps ON
the rug at her feet. Is disturbed far Into
the night by his mistress sobs.
The shooting has been excellent. Some
OF the guests have left. and Others have re-,
placed them I; bnt Nat Drunmond still
fingers. He sees Nell Tempest at meal
times and on an occasional picnic excur-
sion. but he has NOT exchanged q dozen
words with her during the ten days, SO
well has she avoided him. She has grown
paler and thinner. but this IL no doubt
owing to the heat, which daily becomes
more intense.
The sportsmen are indefafigabie, as
their well-fiIled bags proclaim and this
afternoon some OF the ladies have driven
up to the moor with their luncheon. Nell
does not care to go, and has established
herself with Jock, the colley, ana three
shady tree. There she lies anaoug the
cushions, looking up through the flicker
ing green leayes at the deep blue sky,
while Jock pensiyeiy watched the fish.
which splashed up close under his nose.
And 30 the afternoon wanee. Nell knows
they have all returned from, the moor, but
she IS too lazy to join them yet she
Graves little quiet rest before putting on
the weary semblance OF light-hearted
gayety.
The fragrant scent OF a cigar rouses her,
and she silences Jocks betraylng bark.
80
smoker stoops TO look across the lake. and
then perceives at his feet white figure
recnmbent among crimson cushions in the
punt. Nell looks up and sees Nat. AT
last they have met.
..How comfortable you look rs he says
throwing away his cigar. MAY stay
few minutes We haYe been nearly broil-
ed mp ON the moor yontier.''
'.Yoa may come in if Jock viii let you''
which Jock magnanimously does.
Now that they ara alone together they
have not word to say. for how can they
utter commonplace when their hearts are
beating with tGmultuoHs joy She has
raised herself to a sitting posture. while
he throws himself among tho Cushions at
her feet.
How you love that dog rs he says
Lord Hawkhurste has given
him to Nell-as Jock rests l.is head in his
mistress lap. unconscious that he is reduc- |
ing her hat TO an unrecogr.izable shape,
and gazes with loving eyes and lolling |
tongue into her face as she caresses him.
Yes he loves nae.
us that the royal road to your heart 20
mot with Mr.. Forbes''-mcaning q |
little nompous man whose ridiculous at
tentions have amused them all-and they
both laugh at the remembrance of several |
scenes in which his filsay, pertinancious
devotion did not meet with the gratitude
it meritcd.
II believe have to congratulate you
on your engagement to Lord IIawkhurste?''
rs receiving a dog from man eqniv,.-
lent to accepting his offered hand ?''
mo; bu. the world congrstulates Miss
Tenpest-on making the match OF the sea-
son.'
How unlucky did not know what |
. catcl. he was before refused l,ina. .
Refused him Aud yuu are still tree ~
"Way, what is It to you, Captain Drum
nond ?''--haughtiiy elcvating her head.
III Is this tn me, y he says. raising him.
'eif and speaking In low. quick tones
that still love yo,a-tFat cannot do
without you. Notwi9llsta ntling your
reachefy to me. must have yo,s. You
nave loved me In the past, and I could
T..