Democratic messenger., 1881-04-09

the ulSIleS every now ana tueu TedcueO
Scots ears where he sat dreaming in
the porch.
He was happy, and the few weeks he
anticipated remaining seemed likely to
lengthen into months. He had been
somewhat surprised and perhaps not
altogether pleased to find an acquisition,
for he feared young woman i'll the
family might prove a restraint. But
when they gathered around the tea
table he was glad the slight figure OPP
posite him had youthful face.
The shy eyes were seldom uplifted,
and Scot, as he talked with Uncle John,
Aunt Melancy and his good mother,
found for his life, he could think OF
nothing to say to the young girl, who
sat so quiet under his glance.
A week passed very quickly. All day
Scot hunted and tished, and in the
evening read and smoked He had
become fast friends with Betty, who
| listened eagerly to all he said of city
life. She was so pretty and quaint,
Scot found it pleasure to talk to her !;
but still, there was something in her
| disposition that bafiied him-s something
he did not understand. She seemed to
have some sorrow that made her older
than her years.
At the end OF fortnight Scot had
! telegram from Cyrus, saying he would
be with him On the morrow. He was
honestly glad. Cy. would have pienty
of gossip and new books, and a coIu-
panion on his daily excursions would
be acceptable.
Mother" he said at dinner, "my
old friend Cyrus Kemble-you remem-
ber Cyrus-will be here tomorrow. Let
him have the room adjoining mine.
He glanced across the table at Betty
to see how she took the news, hoping
with plausible conceit that she might
resent little the coming of a stranger,
who would necessarily take his atten-
ton.
Vain hope Betty was nervously
crumbling her bread, but no resent
ment was visible, though Scot imagined
she seemed a trihe pale.
On rising from the table, he followed
Betty ont in the porch where she was
throwing crumbs to the birds. She was
paler her hand trembled. A sudden
thought struck Scot
"Do you know Cyrus Kemble ?" he
asked, abruptly.
81 met gentleman of that name two
summers ago." said Betty, with COM
pressed lips. "He came to my old
home in Maine to hunt and fish.
"Was he stout and fair % inquired
Scot, cautiously.
"No, indeed" said Betty, quickly,
"he W as tall and dark.
So thought Well, Betty, to-mor-
row You will have the pleasure of re-
newing your acquaintance with my
friend. I have no doubt he will be
charmed at the ,'encOltre :" and lighting
his cigar mechanically, Scot strolled
down the narrow path, raising his hat
politely to the young girl
1t was dark dull day. Winter was
coming. The thick gray clouds be-
! tokened snow. The wind tore sharply
through the forests, rafting the dry
leaves against the bare boughs. He felt
| gloomy and embitteerd his thoughts
were of Enid there was a fascination
! in the subject 1t was forbidden him
| to think of this woman, the affianced
bride of his friend. He wandered aim
lessly around for hours, smoking innu-
merable cigars, musing and thinking of
Enid, Cyrus and Betty. The day was
the longest Scot had ever known.
On the morrow, Scot went to meet
! Cyrus at the train, and was surprised to
see how white and worn he looked.
The moment they turned their faces to-
ward the farm, he ques stioned him.
"Why, Cyrus, old friend, what is the
matter? Are you i'll? You've been
working too hard.
Nothing of the Sort" said Cyrus,
moodily, Il offered myself to the
woman love and she refused me. I
have no hope, no happiness left"
"My friend" replied Scot, his voice
full of sympathy, 81 can do you no
| good in words, but if rest and quiet are
remedy, you will find them here But
old fellow, in return for your conf
dence [ have something to confess"
And calmly, in clear, concise manner,
Scot told the history of the portrait-up
to the time he left New York TO avoid
meeting Miss Taylor.
81 do not say, Cyrus, that l am in
love with Miss Taylor" he said, "but I
( udNc HSI uuNc
vowed that she and she only would be
my wife if could find her free, unmar-
ried. ] could not foresee that you
would have the best right, and | am
sorry, more sorry than / can tell, that
she has refused you. rs there no hope
that she may retract her decision p
Cyrus paused moment, his selfish
ness at war with his better self: but
manliness conquered. Scots noble ex-
ample prevailed.
eco back to New York, Scot" he
said, "winher. L know you can. You
are far worthier than T. May God bless
you As for me, / ask nothing but to
be able to spend week or so here to re-
cuperate, and promise to be best mau
at the wedding"
Once installed at the farmhouse Scot
thought of Betty and told Cyrus to pre-
pare to meet an old acquaintance.
When he heard the name, Cyrus was
a little embarrassed, and confessed that
he had amused himself by flirting with
Betty who was but school girl when
he met her, and after the summer was
over he had gone back to New York
without sending one line to his little
friend,-to all appearances forgetting
her completely.
He frightened considerably when he
saw her, in fact was quite his old self.
Scot made up his mind to wait week
4 -, NJ, 20 N.-xv