The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-09-16
Select Storg.
l. A FL =


knotted by cardinal ribbon, in dress of
pale violet-the whole a peculiar, pictur-
esque effect in the old wood. Leah Lyn-
don was looking idly at the busy workers
of an ant-hill at her feet, and waiting.
A leafy old tree arched over her; the
sunshine fell warmly into the glade; the air
was full of the balsamic scent of the pines.
Leah waited quietly, full of the pleasure
which surrounded her.
Suddenly the bushes cracked and man
sprang lightly down the bank to her side
slender man, of less than thirty, perhaps,
with piercing black eyes, and a smile so
disagreeable that it was almost distortion.
Leah was not startled, but she looked sur
prised
"Is it you, Brette ?" she asked, putting
on her hat, which she had been swinging
in hand, and so shading her face.
eyes, it is me" he answered, coming
close to her. "Who did you think it
was ?" E. E.t ....@. ... ta
II did not have time to think" she an
swered, evasively.
He could not see her face. The un-
pleasant smile died.
"Don't be disappointed, Leah. Perhaps
he will come yet, y he said, mockingly.
She did not answer. Suddenly he threw
his arms around her and attempted to kiss
her, but she put her hand across his black
bearded mouth and struggled until she re-
leased herself.
'You hate me, do you?" he asked, look
ing at her with savage, cruel light in his
eyes ''Who has taught you that p
II do not have you. But l do not love
you, and-I cannot let you kiss me r
painted the young girl, replacing her hat,
her beautiful hair loosed by the struggle.
oI will not stay with you to be treated SO. "
And she turned away, yet looked anx-
iously down the glade. There was some
one else whom she had expected.
$50 am never to kiss you" he sneered
standing with folded arms and regarding
her. "You are tired of me, are you? And
I am thrown by, like a glove. For whom
pray?"
She stepped back few PAGES and looked
at him, at last, fully.
II have been kind to you-for Annie's
sake" she said then added, as if the words
were forced from her: "You were moi
kind to her.
'Who taught you that 2" he asked.
II can remember-I understand now
though she never complained" she an
swered, sadly, looking again down tn
glade. =.
But no one was coming.
'Do you think | do not know who Il
talking me down-who has come betweel
us-who has supplanted me?' he cried
"You have avoided me for week-sinc
Preston Atherton has been here"
Her lip curled family as she turned away
"Come between us p she repeated, scorn
fully. .
He sprang to her side, walking besid
her.
GA mans private affairs are his own
But he was always spy in the house.
would have turned him out Of doors, bu
that he was my wife's brother. And nov
he comes here, falls in love with you, ant
tells you that I ill-treated Annie, to max
common cause with you-to set you agains
mel By heavens he will repent Of TIN
business" u.a 4ls
"Preston Atherton has told me nothin
but the simple truth, " said Leah, glad tina
they were nearly out of the wood, wher
she felt much safer. "He has nothin
against you, I think. And if [ choose
walk in the wood with him, when we ar
both at leisure, it is nothing to you"
He ground his teeth.
"Do you mean to tell me that you oil
not know I loved you-that you do no
mean to marry me p
"Marry you? Neverr' blazed Leaf
wrathful and beautiful.
s The look with which he regarded he
was not good to behold
"He will repent this he muttered. "S
will you. ;"
They came silently down the shady roa
to the old mansion of Larchlawns, whel
they were both guests. The grand ol
place had been in the Lyndon family for
hundred years, and in the summer Crane
sire Lyndon liked to gather his grandchi
dren about MIN, SO tnaI al Iha1 seaSon
the year it was always gay.
There was a merry party playing tenn
on the lawn beyond the larches, and in tt
avenue bright group or two. just inslo
the gate was a rustic bench, from which
young man sprang up and lifted his hat.
: He was singularly like Brette Delfor'
though it was only a chance resemblanc
there being no relationship in the case
the same height, complexion, features an
general air, though Preston Atherton W
unmistakably the better man of the two
A gentle yet assured spirit looked out
the large black eyes; the smile of the we
cut lips was bright and harmonious.
Leah crossed instantly to his side, al
he looked down at her questioningly. .
"Did you come through the wood, att
. all? he asked. II should have come
meet you, but was told you were comil
home in the boat. The others are fishiI
by the ford"
And he looked questioningly at Bret
: Delford, who turned silently away, with
! rude sneer.