The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-08-09

loub ilN Niu ilOb tOIlt bhNh III LWO years
nor in twice two, nor in four times
two.
He had delayed his return, now for
one reason, now for another; once for
three years tour to the Holy Land,
once to accompany some friends to Aus.
tralia, and the last two years because he
had met his fate at last, and was too delr-
iously happy with sweet Aura Brian to
ever think of coming home
But eight, nine years after he said
goodbye, he was on his own shores
again, after such experience as he would
rather have died Thousand deaths than
have suffered again, and all because Of
Aura Brian-tbe fairest, most gracious
woman the sun ever shone upon and the
only woman who had ever taught him
the difference between fancy and pas
sion.
He had met her at Paris with a party
of friends with whom she was travelling
a6road-a charming little lady, with
eyes like brown diamonds, whose very
first glances had their effect upon him.
She was accomplished and refined,
and carried just trihe of gracious
haughtiness in her high-bred air that
was the one charm Sinclair thought
most bewitching in woman. She was
very beautiful, fair as a lily--leaf, with
bright, golden hair, and
Alan Sinclair lost his head, his heart,
his will, and worshipped Aura Brian as
only those men can worship who have
lived till middle age with no serious
damage previously done their affections.
And Aura Brian reciprocated, and
there ensued an engagement, when it
seemed to them both that there was
heaven on earth whenever they met, so
perfectly contented and happy were they
in each other-days when Sinclair would
wonder if such bliss could last in human
hearts, and wondering and half fearing,
send up breathless prayer that he
might never fail in keeping his darling's
love.
And at last half dozen or so of the
English colony in gay Paris returned
home, Sinclair and Aura among them
he eager to show her the home to which
he would take her, she equally glad to
go with him.
He eager, she glad, until the very last
night of the voyage when they were
promenading the deck arm. .in-arm, talk
ing as lovers talk.
"There is just one thing am anxious
to speak to you about, my darling
something 1 have heretofore neglected
to tell you-and that is, little Winnie
Mayne, who lives at Roseleigh, our
home. want to bespeak your kind
ness and sympathy for her-a plain, re-
served, little thing, too old for her years,
and entirely friendless but for me-but
you and me, Aura. You will help me
to be good to her, dear ~
He put the question somewhat anx-
iously, for there had come a look of
surprise and-was it distastefulness on
her lovely face Y'
Winnie Mayne You never men,
toned her before Alan. And she is to
live at Roseleigh with-usY"
Such grave curious questioning was
in her eyes. Somehow it aroused vague
dismay in his loving heart.
With us, my darling. She will be
no dc trop party. She is reserved and
very shy. She has no other home
You would not wish me turn her
adrift ?"
A pause, strangely omlnous, follow
ed
"Alan," she said, and she lifted her
rare, dark eyes to his eager face. I" 1 do
not wish you to send her adrift. But t,oh,
my love, want you all to myself-all
to myselfY" and such thrill of passion
flashed into her voice that every nerve
in his body thrilled hotly. "If this
child-she is no longer child, remem-
ber-eight years makes such difference
she may have grown up into some
thing that will please you better than 1
can--oh, Alan, cannot go to Roseleigh
if any other woman has right there
Alan, my darling, am jealous already
of her. Take me and let her go.''
He was astonished beyond all former
experiences of his life. This from Aura
this cold deliberate injustice to a sis.
ter woman, and, in the same breath, /,
this thrilling passion that was SO in
expressibly sweet to him.
1t was supreme moment to him,
looking in the eyes of the woman he