Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-08-26

whose ear alone was intended sat without n
girls hand cissped in his-a girls fair head
with his image
Did Miss Aline know that he would come in
oeedlence To her call! Was IL a mere accident
which summoned Miss Flo from his side?
However that might be, when left alone. with
SLOW, reluctant movement he rose and passing
through the open window. walked with uncer-
tain steps into the room beyond. The singer
sang on.
Did che see that figure standing still and 81
lent just beyond the Threshold Perhaps the
evening shadows hid him, as her voice suddenly
died away in a choking sob, and her head bent
forward on the keys.
Instantly he was by her side Instantly ne
had raised her head to hts breast with his
strong, faithless arms clasped about her.
"Alinel" he said, my love. my love,"
And then uplifting the crimson lips to his he
bent and kissed them.
was busy with my silver. knowing naught
OF this, but wondering how L might unfold to
my young mistress my suspicious, when heard
close beside me low, startled cry. glanced
up. Miss Flo was standing on the threshold Of
the MUSHROOM. She had seen all. She would
nave fallen but that, springing forward, caught
her in my old arms, as Mr.. Earle came hastily
toward us.
forgot his rank and my position as I waved
against him, felt for what he suffered when
saw the white look Of misery on his young,
handsome face.
Up the broad stairs carried my young lady
to her room. and laid her on her couch Then
her mother came, and left her. but as passed
through the room beyond saw lying in the
empty crate some torn scraps of paper, Me-
chanically, with servants orderly instinct /
stopped and gathered them up, when my eve
was caught by the meaning of a single SEN
tence, 1.-The heir Of the adjoining estate"
OF course. a gentleman" would have gone no
further, but was but a mere servant, with the
interests of the family whom had served more
than twO-scOre years, over and beyond all else.
carefully carried the little handful of papers
to my room, and there, bit by bit. with hard
work and infinite spelling 1 made them almost
perfect whole.
Delay your coming a little longer, dear
father, wrote the traitress. I" The fish is nearly
In my net could laugh at his weakness We're
there not such stake. He is the heir to the
adjoining estate, acres on acres of which can
see from my window as I write. l shall be
grand English lady yet; and then, who will dare
taunt me with being the daughter Of a circus
rider9 We will wipe out that stain, then. on
my mothers side, and you shall have Your re-
ward for all the sacrifices YOU have made for
me-"
Had discovered a vein Of gold could not
have gioated more over those few words.
All, now indeed could avenge my young lady
and punish her recreant lover. But the time
was not yet ripe. | would wait until he had
given her his old and honored name. and then
would unmask her ere she had reaped the glory
and too late for him to retrieve the shame.
With this determination 1 went back to my
dntles, but, passing through the hall. Mr..
Earles voice, low and yet excited, caught my
ear.
"Ihave been madl" he said "Aline. forgive
me for the wrong have done you, but you
must hear the truth. 1 now know that my feel
ing towards you has been the intOxication of
your fascination. Never can wipe from my
ali
| felt that l had stabbed her to the heart. and
knew then that my soul had never wavered i'm
Its allegiance. though your beauty and marvel
GUS power had turned my brain. Aline. say
that you do not love mel Do not make me feel
that have marred your life. tool
stified voice replied. choked with feeling:
81 can not, Arthur can not Oh do not
turn from me! 1 am doubiy helpless nowi Flo
never again will care for you. Let me teach
you the lesson of love for me. if, indeed, al
ready you have not learned it,"
1t was not my place. knew that: but for
got my anger against him i'm listening to the
few manly words which assured me his heart
was still Miss FlO's, and strobe into the room
and put the paper i'm his hands.
Readthis. Mr.. Arthur, said boldly, 'before
you answer her."
There is little more to be told. I. myself
closed the hall door next morning bright and
early, as the carriage drove Miss Aline Revere
on the first stage on her journey Lon
downward. We never saw or heard from her
again.
For long weeks Miss Flo refused even to see
Mr.. Arthur Earie-for months to look upon him
as friend. Poor felIOwl We were all sorry for
him during this time. for he had spoken truly
his love had never wavered!
But at last there came a day when Miss Flo
learned to believe this and then-ah. then the
light stole back into her eyes, and the color to
her cheeks.
She's been happy wife thismany year now,
and Old Peter is growing almost useless, sayeto
ride her children. as he once rode her, through
the old halls upon his old shoulders, to the
echo OF their childish laughter, which keeps his
old heart young.