The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1882-02-23


ly yon have refused me for month past
and say yes to-day
Roland Clean looked down from the
saddle on bis pretty ward. and shook his
head
am going 10 ride IN the park, Ina !
could not take yon there. you know.
Why noiY
Well--yon are too young let Us say, and
too too good-looking And you couldn't
ride in the park alone with any man ex'
cept your husband, and
Aud have none. said Ina, laughing.
withou, noticing bis deepening color.
| What rs more, | don't want one. ia
rather ride with you, Roland, ifyou would
only consent 10 take me-far rather! !
suppose you could not possibly give up
the park for one day, aud escort me over
this lovely country road, where there are
no Mrs. Grundys TO interforeg
She put her graceful. dark head aside,
looking up at him roguishly As she asked
the question.
Seeing that he hesitated, she went on.
Ali, do-pleasel II is so stupid, riding
alone, day after day, with that stolld
groom at my horses heels.
Very well. said Mr.. Glenn, bringing his
horse nearer the steps. Fly and put on
yonr habit. and will order your horse
brought around.
From the window of the breakfast room
Mrs. Hillyard, the widowed only sister of
Mr.. Glenn, watched them out of sight
with serious face.
Ten minutes later they rode from the
door, passing down the avenue at walk,
but breaking into trot as soon as they
were on the high road outside the avenue
gates,
That girl gets fonder OF him every day,
she thought, as she went about her morn
ing's work, giving orders to the cook.
And he--if he is my brother-is fool
not to see where it will all end. Well, If
he does not tell her of his engagement to
Miss Stearns before long. will
The offending pair extended their ride
for many miles, and did not return till the
early autumn evening was verging into
dusk. Ina brought brightly blooming
pair of cheeks to the dinner table, and
looked the very embodiment OF happiness
there. Mr. Glenn looked happy, but
also restless and disturbed Mrs. Hill
yard watched them both somewhat grimly
and silently and bided her time.
That evening they were bidden to a
grand party at the house Of Mrs. Stearns,
one Of Mrs. Hillyard's early friends.
And there it was that a knowledge ol
Mr.. Glenn actual position came to Ina
sooner than even Mrs. Hillyard had III
tended.
They had greeted their hostess, and
found a pleasant corner in the least crowd
ed the of rooms, when Ina was claimed by
one Of her usual dancing partners for the
waltz just then in progress.
As they whirled swiftly around the room
Ina caught sight of her guardian at lit
tie distance, dancing with stately ylook
ing lady, apparently some five and twenty
years of age. She was handsome as wei
as stately; she had large, well-opened eyes
of a reddish-hazel color, heavy masses
red brown hair, arranged in the latest fash
ion, well cut features, and remarkably
| fine complexion, which was owing to ma
ture or art? Her friends said nature; he
enemies said art
Who is that lady? asked Ina Of her part
ner, as they paused to rest
. Don't you know her? He looked sur
prsed Have You never been here before
Never. Why do you ask, Mr.. Walters
Oh, beg your pardonl But it seem
odd that Glenn had never brought yoi
here-don't you see?-or Mrs. Hillyard
She stands in the place ola mother to you
OF course, aud he must seem as much lik'
a father as guardian, ! should think, a
his age. for he will never see five and thirt,
again, will he? And so, as you live at his
home, and are his ward and like an onl,
daughter, | wondered why he bad no
brought YOU here before to see his future
bride.
His bridel Is he to marry marry her
said Ina, lifting ber bouquet to her face T.
hide the sudden pallor which she fel
must be overspreading it.
!, She looked at Roland Glenn with all he
heart her wrung, aching, suffering hear
-in her eyes. What was this shallo'
trifer beside him-this society man, wht
rejoicing in his own verdant youth, dare
to remark sneeingly upon Roland's age?
Thirty.fvel Even If that surmise wa
right? At forty y.fve--at fiity-Rolan
would still be the grandest, the mobiles
man she knew, in outward appearance, a
well as in heart, and mind and soul.
Her guardian-yes. Bat standing
the place OF father to her--oh, neye
could she look upon him in that high
She wished wildly that she could do Sc
when thus in an instant, by chance n
9 mark, the veil Of years was thrown asid
!. forever, aud she was made to nnderstan
thai the feeling with which she had locke
upon her guardian from childhood was nc
as reverent friendship such as she ha
!. supposed but a young giil's FIRST pure b'
&c passionately adoring love.
She faced the thought courageous
when she was free from he partner. B'
!. her eyes stll followed the tall figure
y Roland eileen from the quiet corner
which she had ensconeed herself.
She saw him looking at her, too, no
aud then, with an anxious, harassed expire