Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1882-08-26

preparing for the profession of a
teacher. How her cheeks burned
when she thought she had told false
hood
-Four weeks since Leila arrived at the
farmhouse, and she still fingered, though
she received letters almost every day
from Mrs. Malcom, urging her to join
her many friends at the seaside.
ST wonder why I like to remain here, I"
she said to herself, glancing over one of
these epistles at the table, where the
family were assembled to breakfast.
well, Mrs. Parker, I must leave you
on Monday"
Frank Studley was the speaker. A
pang shot through Lela's heart; the
words seem an answer to her unspoken
question.
"Yes-dear me, how the time flies
yes, 1 suppose you must. Well, this is
your last examination, isn't itY'
"Yes. When you see me again 1
shall be full-blown M. D." he return
ed, laughingly.
The next day was Sunday, and Leila
attended church. She was simply
dressed, as indeed she had been during
her whole stay. In the afternoon she
wrote some letters, and in the evening
went to church again, accompanied by
all the Parker family.
She had not seen Mr.. StUdley during
the whole day, and felt delicacy about
inquiring for him.
Daisy walked beside Leila, and after
about half the distance to the church
had been accomplished, began of her
own accord to give her fuller informa-
tion about their other guest than she
had ever had before.
He had spent four summers with
them. He was studying medicine under
gress.. difficulties, for he was very poor.
She believed he was engaged to be mar
ried to Miss AustrI.
How cold Leila grew whez she heard
this; how dull and dark the twilight
seemedl
"They got acquainted right here in
our house." said Daisy, triumphantly.
They were now in church, and Leila
saw Studley sitting in pew near her.
His eyes met hers, and rested kindly
ON her pale face, for she had turned
white, the pain in her heart was so
keen.
She knew very little about the ser
mon, listening to it in a dazed manner
with great apparent attention, while in
truth her th oughts were far away with
Aggie Austin, the fortunate possessor
of Studley's affections-Aggie, the girl
she had pitied because she was poor!
Oh, what words could describe how she
now envied her?
"Aunt Nellie said harm would come
of it, and SO it has," she said to herself
bitterly.
When the service was over, Leila
found Studley beside her as they passed
out of church, and he continued beside
her as they walked home under the stars.
He was unusually silent till they reach
ed the little gate; then he said sudden.
ly, in a voice unlike his own:
"Miss Leila, will you walk on with
rue? 1 have something to say to you"
She was too much aeitated to speak,
but she passed the gate.
"In the first place, must tell you
that I correspond with Aggie Austin,
and she has told me who you are. I
can't plead ignorance as an excuse for
my madness, and yet l must give way
to it SO far as to tell you. l love you
with my whole heart-T, a penniless
mani You are silent; il is my most
merciful answer. Well, will only say
farewell. We will never meet again.
God bless youl''
He wrung her hand and turned to
leave her, his face ashy grey in the star
light, despair in his strong, manly
heart.
As he walked away, Leila found her
voice, and called after him family:
"Mr. Studley, Il"
"Whati"
Joy was in the tone, though no other
word was uttered. And what Joy was in
his face when she held out her hands
to him, saying fondly:
"You cannot love me half Sc we'll as
love you, for am not worthy of such
love-"
When Mrs. Maleom was introduced
to LeIa's intended husband, she was
satisfied, and rejoiced that no greater
harm had come of Lela's summer spent
at the old red farmhouse.
Tho SuIIivan farm in Illinois onca