The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-03-25

And afterward, when you moved away
by yourself. and stood by the place n
which the engines work-you are sure
you won't think the wor. Of me IL I tell
your
| "No, nor
"Your face frightened me---I can't
describe i'll went 10 your friend, and
took 1t on myself to say that you wanted
him. 1t was an impulse--I meant
we'll"
II am sure you meant we'll" As he
spoke his face darkened little, be.
traying amomentary feeling Of distrust.
Had she put indiscreet questions to his
travelling companion, and had the ma
jor, under the persuasive influence of
her beauty, been weak enough TO answer
them. "Did you speak 70 my fiend,"
he asked.
"Only when told him he had better
go to You. And / think said after
ward was afraid you were very Ill.
We were in the eonfusion-of arriving at
solkestone-and, even IL I had though
It right to say more, there was no oppor.
tunity."
Romayne felt ashamed Of the suspi-
cion by which no had wronged her.
"You have a generous nature" he said,
earnestly. "Among the few people
whom know, how many would feel the
interest in me that you felt?"
"Don't say that Mr.. Romayne You
could have had no kinder friend than the
gentleman who took care of ysu on your
journey. Is he with you now in Lon
donY'
emo"
-"I am sorry to hear IL. You ought
to bave some devoted friend always near
you"
She spoke very earnestly. Romayne
shrank, with strange shyness, from
letting her see how her sympathy af-
fected him. He answered lightly:
"You go almost as far as my good
friend there reading the newspaper" he
said. "Lord Loring doesn't scruple to
tell me that ] ought to marry. I know
he speaks with q sincere interest in my
welfare. He little thinks how he dis
tresses me-"
"Why should he distress you ?"
"He reminds me-live as long as I
may-that must nve alone. Can
ask a woman to share such dreary life
as mine? 1t would be selfish it would
be cruel I should deservedly pay the
penalty of allowing my wife to sacrifice
herself. The time would come when
she would repent having married me-"
Stella rose. Her eyes rested ON him
with look Of gentle remonstrance.
| "I think You scarcely do women jus.
tice," she said, softly. "PerAaps some
day Q woman may induce you to change
your opinion" She crossed the room
to the piano. "You must be tired Of
playing, Adelaide" she said, putting her
hand caressingly on Lady Lorings
shouider.
Will you sing, Stellar"
She sighed and turned away. "Not
tonight" she answered.
Romayne took his leave rather hur-
riedly. He seemed to be out of spirits
and eager to get away. Lord Loring
accompanied his guest to the door.
"You look sad and care-worn," he
said. "Do you regret having left your
books to pass an evening with usY'
Romayne looked up absently, and
answered: 81 don't know yet"
Returning to report this oxtraordi-
nary reply to his wife and Stella, Lord
Loring found the drawing-room empty.
Eager for little private conversation,
the two ladies had gono upstairs.
"Well," said Lady Loring, as they
sat together over the fire, "whst did
he sayY''
Stella only repeated what he had said
before she rose and left him.
"Whst is there in Mr.. Romayno's
life," she asked, (which made him say
that he would be selfish and cruel if he
expected woman to marry him? 1t
must be something more than more i'll
ness. II he lad committed crime, he
could not have spoken more strongly.
Do you know what it is p
Lady Loring iooks' uneasy.
AZ promised my husband to keep Il
Q secret from everybody" she said.
"It is nothing degrading. Adelaide
am sure OF that"
"And you are right, my dear. I can
understand that he has surprised and
disappointed you: but II you knew his
motives she stopped. and looked
earnestly at Stella. "They say" she
went on, "the lo1e that lasts longest if
the love OF slowest growA. This feel
ing of yours for Romayne is Of sudden
growth. Are you very sure that your
whole heart is given 10 man-the best,
the noblest of men-but sSll man Of
whom you know little ?" rNl H
at know that love HING said Stella.
dmply.
"Even though he doesn't seem. a. yet,
to love your Lady Loring asked.
i "An the more because he doesn't
should be ashamed to make the confes-
sion 10 any one but you. 1t is useless
10 say any more. Goodnight"
Lady Loring allowed her to got as
FAR as the door. and then suddenly csllod
her back. Stella returned unvillinglJ
and wearily. "MS head sohss and my
heart aches." she said. "Lot me 81
away 10 my bed"
at don't like you TO 60 away. wrong
ing Romayne perhaps. In your
thoughts," said Lady Loring. "And,