The Portland daily press., 1880-03-20

the mirror. 81 think he must. for man who
never smiles certainly would not jest won
der papa never told me 500
She seated herself by little table. resting
her chin upon the palms of her hands. II
do really wonder if | could do something to
make him like me,' she unused. ooh. have
it," springing up and clapping her hands.
"Pll comb my hair before 1 retire at night.
and leave it tumbled in the morning. and see
what he says to that
so, next morning, when she appeared at
breakfast, her hair clustered in little golden
rings all over her head.
Good morning." said Paul; show won-
derful!y your hair is like your fathers to-
day, Miss Lily;I always admired his, l re-
member, when we were boys.''
Lily laughed.
II was trying.to look homely," she said, $50
didn't curl my hair this morning."
Paul smiled in return.
Il like it better So" he said.
70" said Lily, "you really look passable
when you SMILE"
''Do you really think sop
BY this time the smile ran over his face.
and discovered a dimple in either cheek.
Lily could not repress her delight.
1t transforms you completely" she said.
81 should never be afraid of YOU if YOU
would always SMILE"
You are afraid of me, then?'
"A little. was, | mean; l am not now"
And you must never be again.
Before the meal was ended the icy barriers
that separated their hearts had melted away :;
they had begun to understand each other,
| and were already firm friends.
Charity, waiting on the table in silence,
| for once opened her eyes wide in astonish-
ment. But there was sort of pleasurable
| feeling connected with the look, and when
| the table was cleared away, and she sat
down to her own lonely meal she gave sigh
OF relief, saying, II can see how it will all
end, and it is best so.''
Meanwhile Paul and Lily had adjourned
to the piazza, still engaged in animated con-
| versation.
"You must drive out with ME to-day" he
said. do you ride on horseback, Miss
Lily?".
mo, do not; but should like to, o. so
muchv'
"You shall learn he replied, ''and will
teach you. Comanche is splendid saddle
horse, and very gentle, despite his name.
You have no riding habit. suppose?''
mo, have none," said Lily in slightly
perpleXed tone.
Mrs. Binn, the principal mlliner and
dressmaker of the village. visits a neighbor-
ing city every season for the purpose Of fiji
ing orders and securing the latest styles. /
saw an advertisement to that effect in the
village paper yesterday. She can select a
habit for you while in the city; it will be the
very thing. We will drive down to the vii.
lage at once and give the order'
81 think shall be able to make one out
OF dress already have" returned Lily,
her face flushing crimson as she remembered
that the funds left her after her fathers
death were exhausted in procuring her
mourning.
SHOW is this?' asked Paul "a moment
ago you were all sunshine, all smiles, and
now you are perpleXed, frowning All, [ see
You will not accept gift from your fathers
friend.''
Lily" he resumed after pause. 'sdc
you know that have not relative on earth
Do you know that before I saw YOU I was
not bound by any feeling of real love to a
living soul except your father? 1 never had
a sister, l never had daughter, but I love
you with love entirely different from that
which have ever felt for a human being be.
fore. When you are dignifed fancy / feel
toward you as a brother to dear sister; but
when you are childish, as you are now, you
seem to me more as daughter would to an
atfectionate parent. Now, once for all, lei
us decide this question. Will you let me
care for you as though you were my own
sister? Let me be your protector as youl
father designed?'
!. The tears beaded Lilys lashes as she
placed her hand in his. He tenderly kissed
her forehead as seal to the compact, and
as he did so newborn joy and hope thrilled
his heart.
The habit was ordered, and whenit arrived
Lily went up to put it ON for a ride, hardly
realizing that anything so elegant could be
hers. Paul had given all the directions con-
corning it, at her request. She looked won.
drously beautiful as she came out upon the
piazza, the rich black velvet skirt trailing on
the floor, and the jaunty hat with the sable
plume making her hair so bright and golden
by contrast. Her violet eyes were sparkling
with pleasurable excitement, and her cheeks
were rosy with health and happiness. Pau
thought he had never seen fairer picture,
She had often petted Comanche in the sta
bic, but now, as Paul assisted her to mount
her head grew dizzy and her hands trem.
bled.
Paul observed it. and, taking the rein, he
instructed her how to hold it, and, after Civ
ing at length some general directions, he
placed in her hand small riding-whip, and
pointed to the golden ferule, upon which he1
name was engraved.
She smiled, and the blood rushed to he1
cheeks as she thanked him, and, graspino
the reins firmly in her hand, she said, s'Ido
not think shall be afraid now''
Paul mounted his horse, and they rode
j away, very slowly at first; but by degrees
Lily's fears all vanished, and she gave her
self up to the spirit of abandon-the wild,
free emotion one feels when mounted upon
a safe but spirited horse, and dashing along
a smooth road, surrounded on every side by
grand, picturesque scenery.
Bright, happy days followed. And when,
one evening Paul whispered his love for her
in endearing words, and asked her to be his
wife, she placed her hand in his and said,
II love you; have no one on earth but
you."
Charity, passing the door at that moment,
congratulated herself upon her sage prophe
cy of the previous month and Immediately
placed box of raisins on her list of wants
for the following week. 81 will make the
plum cake at once" she said, Gas it i'm
proves by keeping"
Two weeks afterward Lily received letter.
1T is strange" she said, as she opened it.
81 cannot think who would write to me.
and the handwriting is not familiar"
1t proved to be from a distant relative; he
had been her schoolmate, her boy lover, and
Paul marked the flush on her cheek as she
read it.
SIT is from distant cousin" she ex-
planned as she placed it in his hand He
wrote in friendly strain, not in the least
lover-like, saying that he was obliged to pass
|
Using himself the pleasure of visit at the
house of Mr. Geary, if agreeable, on his re-
turn.
''Write to him to come, by all MEANS"
said Paul.
A pang shot through his heart as he well
coined him week later, for Edgar Wilde
was very handsome, with something in his
look that reminded Paul of the traitor friend
Of his youth.
He admired Lily, and openly expressed
his admiration in looks and actions, if not
in words. Lily would have informed him
of their engagement, but Paul objectd. ED
gar would not feel so much at home,'' he
argued, "and 1 want you to be unre-
strained sssa
Lily's face grew shade more thoughtful
as the days passed. Edgar was with her
constantly, and Paul often left them to-
| gether; while days would sometimes pass
without her being single moment alone
NTH Paul. He seemed almost as distant as
in the days when she first knew him, and
she missed his dear love sadly.
Paul observed the change in Lily. 'sShe
already regards the yoke burdensome," he
thought; STOOL that I was to trust her
| again." But, somehow, when he met her