The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-09-03


Alton Woods, a miniature forest adj
joining the grounds of Beech Hall,
where | engaged to initiate her into the
art of crayon sketching. | shall never
forget the quick change from somber
dependency to radiant hope and pleas
ure which transformed the pale, tear
stained face into one of rare brilliancy
and loneliness. So much does happi-
ness involve of beauty that when we
parted l could scarcely recognize in the
blushing, smiling maiden before me the
pale, sad girl of short half-hour ago.
Truly, child's April nature had this
same Hilarie Graeme.
My subsequent meeting with Clare
was of the same lover-like description,
and her parents greeted me with their
usual warm expressions of welcome. !
had always been a great favorite with
them, especially with stately Mrs.
Beresford, whose affection for me had
been mainly instrumental in bringing
about an engagement between her
daughter Clare and myself
Clare was five years my junior; fair,
aristocratic little lady of twenty sum-
mers. She was extremely devoted to
me, while l was proud to know that
| only q few short months must inter-
vene before the time fixed for our mar
rage.
In the confidential chat with Glare and
her mother before luncheon was served
in the quaint old dining-room, | was
made painfully aware of the necessity
for concealing my encounter with Hila-
RE and the consequent arrangement
for Alton Woods on the morrow. Mrs.
Beresford was loud in her censure OF
the improvidence of her husband S
brother-in-law, Arthur Graeme, which
had resulted at his death in the advent
of Hilarie under her roof as g useless
dependent upon her uncle" Clare's
laughing suggestion that Hilarie replace
her in companionship to her mother
after our marriage hurt me even more
than Mrs. Beresfords EXPLANATIONS
against the orphan; there was such an
utter want of sympathy in smile and
voice that contrasted oddly with the
sweet emotional face l was longing to
see again.
1t was not until dinner that my wish
was gratified, when, after a careless
introduction from Mr.. Beresford, Hill
arie flashed one warm grateful glance
into my face, and throughout dinner
preserved grave silence, my few we'll
meant endeavors at conversation with
her only eliciting low monosyllabic re-
plies, and the cold surprise in the
faces of Clare and her mother that l
should address her warned me for Hila-
rie's sake to appear to maintain the
same indifference toward her as dis
tinguished themselves.
lndolent Glare retained her town
habit of keeping her room until the
morning was far advanced, when she
would descend in the most bizarre of
morning toilets, in time for the late
breakfast with mamma; consequently
during my sojourn at Beech Hall | was
free to pass the early morning hours in
whatever way suited my fancy, else l
had not dared to appoint the meeting
with Hilarie, for Clare was very ex-
acting little bride-elect indeed.
All, that delightful morning in Alton
Woods; the first of many such when
Hilarie and wandered, sketchbook in
hand, among the tall, straight pines,
the shadows of their murmuring branch
es flecked with amber CLEANS of sun
light, or threaded our way through fern
and bracken to some specially dainty
bit of woodland scenery, where seated
on fallen tree-trunk, or moss grown
bowlder, with waving grasses around
her and velvet masses at'her feet, Hill
arie Graeme seemed to my excited
fancy The embodiment of some fairy
denizen of the forest
None knew but. ourselves of these
daily meetings. Though no words had
passed between as to the need of Sc
crecy, we had tacitly accepted it as a
fact, and apparently our mutual indif-
ference to each other when in the soci-
ETY. of the Beresfords was as marked as
ever.
Sometimes my conscience smote me
that in her sweet innocence Hilarie SUBJ
mitted herself so entirely to my guild
ance, for | knew if we were discovered
hard things might be said of her, but |
was prepared to defend her with NV
life if need be, and hall and wood being
so isolated discovery was scarcely to be
feared.
Days had heightened into weeks, I'M
til more than month had elapsed since
my arrival at Beech Hall, and still Clare
urged me to stay little longer" and
against my better judgment stayed on,
unable to deny myself those blissful
hours spent with Hilarie, my beautiful
love. Yes, it had come to that. knew
now that Hilarie was more to me than
Clare ever had been or ever could be,
and the knowledge that was in honor
bound to the one and dare not reveal
my secret to the other was daily, hourly
torture to me. Heaven knows | tried
hard then to be loyal to my troth; but
Clare's evidences Of affection grew daily
more distasteful to me, and found my
self constantly comparing her unfavor-
ably with beautiful, high-souled Hilarie.
| fancied, too, that my betrothed had
become conscious of some change in the
warmth OF manner toward her, for lat
terly she became strangely pale and
anxious-eyed, while new clinging
tenderness in her demeanor towards me
seemed conscious reproach to nv
faithlessness. Yet how could | wound
sensitive Hilarie by suddenly ending
those meetings in Alton Woods. Clear
ly 1t was my duty to return to town at
once, ana on the afternoon of the day
on which arrived at this determination