Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-01-08


ment himself farther, he pulled out his
watch to observe how long the offenders
would be gone.
But at length the guilty ones rcappear-
ed, Just "a twenty minutes were completed;
not bad allowance of time for pluCking a
couple of roses DagliSh surrcptitiously
pocketcd his watch, affecting not to notice
their return; but every gay laugh of Nells
went ,nto his bosom like poniard thrust,
The next day was one of singular beau
ty rs regards weather, and the saddle-horSes
were ordered around early, for Arthur and
Elinor proposed 10 take long ride.
AS she stood by her s,eed, DagliSh offer
ed to help Miss Royston to mount.
You need not trouble" said Elinor
coldly, the incident of his neglect with re-
gard to the flower ranking in her mind.
Il prefer the groom; you either lift me up
short or nearly fling Inc on the other side. '
AT the same time Young rushed for
ward, and seeing only servant in attend
ance, cried:
'.Iet me put you up, Miss RoySton.'
And she accepted his attendance with
the most gracious smile.
Upon their return, which was not until
8 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon, Daglish
noticed that Eliuor was very much suhdued
in spirits.
To this circumstance, though, he did not
attach much meaning of Importance until
an event the following morning gave the
depression and ailment new significance.
The event was Arthur Young making the
startling announcement in the course of
breakfast of a necessity for his leevlng by
the first train.
''Is il possible, Mr.. Young? and SO sud
denly too" exclaimed Mrs. Daglish.
You don't really mean it, old mani"
cried Graham DaSlish,
he only person who showed no sur
prise was Miss Elinor Royston-
"Well. Nell, are we TO have a weddingf'
asked Mrs. Daglish, while they were still
sitting in the unsettled state that hasty
departure Of from one member leaves any
family.
At the same inopportune moment ser
want catered with message from poor
widow, pensiOner at the Hall, begging
she would See her with respect to some
trouble she was in.
Of hustled the kindly old lady, leaving
Graham and Elinor TO discuss the delicate
topic she had introduced.
'.Is that true, Nelli'' asked Daglish in a
low tone.
.sWhat if it be?' said Miss Roysten,
flashing defiance upon him from her eyes.
1T is nothing to you"
''Nothing:n he cried. 1T is much, Eli
nor" he said, speaking calmly, but with a
certain tender gravity. Your happiness
is almost my chief concern. Arthur
Young is good enough fellow, his posi-
tion suitable, and all that, if you feel that
he is calculated TO make You hapay, and
you love him."
1T is something to be loved-to feel
that one IS cared for. Love TO me is what
water is to a man dying with thirst, she
cried passionately.
"Elinor. Is that speech the fltreward of
your treatment here:"
Forgive me-forgive mo-" she said
bursting into tears. Il am ungrateful;
but that is just my trouble. am aspecies
of dependent; the recipient of charity
kindly generous charIty-still charity"
"Nen," he said, and he took both her
hands into his and looked straight at her.
Il think YOU should know how much
your presence is valued here. To my
mother you are almost necessary, and as
for myself" he added, with a curious
break in his voice, ''gone, you leave me
solitary man for l:fe. But heaven forgive
me! | never meant to distress you by say
ing so much"
why should you not' Your-your con-
duct"
Then Miss Boyston's tears flowed afresh
choking utterance. Her head she turned
aside to hide her tell-tale face,
But not before Daglish had caught some
thing of its tell-tale expression.
''Child, let there be no misunderstanding
between us in this supreme moment. If
you have given your heart to Arthur
Young marry him and happiness go with
you"
You have no right to say such thing, ,
pouted Ellnor. interrupting him.
''Much right and much reason, l think, -"
he answeted, although he will very likely
set it down for jealousy
Over Miss Royston's features brilliant
smile fitted sufficiently expressive of sue
cessful mischief. But her triumph was
his also, for he saw and interpreted the
smile not altogether incorrectly.
Nell, could you ever learn Glove mef'
he asked abruptly.
Miss Royston apparently needed time to
gauge her capabilities in that respect, tor
she gave Graham Daglish no reply for a
minute or two; and while she hesitated two
strong arms stole around and q voice
whispered;
care You mine, to be my darling cher
ished wife2'
Miss Royston seemed still to be afflicted
with a difficulty of speech, but she suf-
fered without opposition or even remon-
STRANGE, the bondage in which she was de
tanned