The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-04-01

Adela book on carnations, could depart with
an air of pleasant unconcern When ne was
alone with his aunt the artful young man went
into no raptures, but began coolly talking OF
his own affairs. Miss Shafto, a naturally impa-
| tient woman, who wished to be the soul OF pru-
| dence, but could not always manage 1t, soon
bursto out into questions ibid he admire Lady
| Adelasn
"She seems nice little thing said Edgar
"Innocent; fond of plants and animals"
| but so pretty! Don't you think so!' ex-
| claimed Miss Shafto, in amazement.
eyes pretty little face" said the proyok-
| ing Edgar. ''What makes her live down
| here!' ~..
ssShe has not been very strong, and this place
agrees with her particularly we'll know Mrs.
| Sackville is very anxious about her." .. .
| "She looks well enough"
| "Well, Edgar said Miss Shafto after a
! pause" am glad you are so sensible. think
her lovely, and that was what made me so
nervous when you arrived. | was afraid you
might fall in love with her. to tell you the
truth, and that would be such misfortune. I"
Edgar laughed slightly 8 am getting to
| old for that sort of thing" he said.
THAT is nonsense, of course But Mrs.
Saclville and her friends mean her to make a
great marriage-very rightly and naturally,
too--and if my dear, penniless nephew-oh ! it
would seem too dishonorable, somehow! Mrs.
Sackville would never believe that had not
asked you down on purpose"
"Well, we all think, you know. Nothing
positive yet. Mrs. Sackville limited the other
day at Lord Elton and, of course, there could
be nothing more suitable; in fact, he is the
only man in the county worthy of her."
That little brute ~ said Edgar, forgetting
himself.
"Why, what do you know about hm?''
Nothing" he said rather shortly. eff
knew him to be scamp and a ruffian, what
would be the use of telling youl You and Mrs.
Saekyille would think alike, no doubi. Lord
Elton! What can his little faults sgnify?'
-" Don't talk in that disagreeable way" said
Miss Shafto laughing. Eyes, We should think
alike; and Lady Adela would agree with u.s.
She is very sensible girl, with no absurd ro-
nance about her. She will never throw herself
away"
at would be pity if she did, said Edgar.
Then he began to whistle, and then to talk
about something else, with such an interested
air that his aunt smiled at her own anxieties.
de stayed on from day to day, and saw
Lady Adea many times, keeping up success
ful selt-con rol that surprised herself 1t was
new thing to exert himself like this: to be
strong in holding back and hiding from other
peoples quick eyes the first real passion that
he had ever known. Only the knowledge that
discovery would mean Punishment, could have
given such resolute power to the idle, self
indulgent Edgar The strangest chances were
always bringing him and Adela together dur
ing the fortnight that he stayed at South Ha-
eel. Every day she became more attractive,
She had the high, wild spirits of child, yet
with such dignity that no one could treat her
as a child. Edgar saw her look naughty and
scornful once or twice, and that was enough
Tor him; it added sort of bitterness to his
love for her; if she knew, would not she turn
her little head away, with curl of the liz
that was enough toplunge one into purgatorv!
lie called himself fool and lost all hope if
he ever had any; but then next morning he
w0nl1 har ri har
and smiling as the day; or would find her
walking with the dogs, or gathering flowers;
or would see her sweet, grave face in church,
listening to the rector's long sermon He
himself, in his effort to commit himself, ap-
peared to be more languid, lazy and indiffer-
ent than ever before. He seemed to care less,
as he grew every day to care more, and was
thoroughly, sharply and comfortable misera-
bic. The touch OF her hand made him turn
pale, and when she passed him it was only by
violent struggle that he could prevent him
self from kissing she fringe of her dress. All
this time he managed to deceive his aunt and
Mrs. Sackville Whether Lady Adea herself
was equally blind may, perhaps, be doubted:
for the most resolute person cannot always
command his eyes. But she was a very sensi-
BILE girl, as Miss Shafto said, and also, in those
days, a little hard-hearted. 1t would have
been unnatural if the man had not admired
her, and she did not find it necessary to deny
him her smiles.
Miss Shafto liked having her nephew with
her, and was only too glad that he should stay,
as long as his behavior was so perfectly salts
factory. For anything she knew or cared, this
state of things might have gone on through
the autumn; but fortnight of it was enough
for Edgar. He soon found that there were
limits to his endurance of this kind of life. in
which joy and pain were mingled in such
maddening way. ~
One morning he went out about ten, with
out telling his aunt where he was going As
he came near Hazel House he saw a figure
moving far away in the garden. He dashed
through the garden door, fortunately meeting
no one; for he would have found Il difficult to
give an account of himself.
Lady Adela was on her favorite sunny ter
race at the end of the garden--a high walk
sheltered by evergreen hedges, and divided
from the field beyond by a low stone wall quite
covered with ivy, with red pots full of flowers
set upon it here and there. Here she was
amusing herself with a cat and kitten, which
were racing each other and playing up and
down. She met Edgar with her usual sweet
ness, laughing at her own childishness, for
the cat and kitten had most eager playfellow.
lis Miss Shafto here. Are YOU come to
fetch mep' she said; but then startled look
came, and drove her smiles away.
Edgar had come to the end of his restraints
and his subterfuges. tH
81 am going away" he said at is all very
well for you-of course you don't care andyou
have never thought of me-but shall 20 mad
if stay here any longer"
Lady Adela blushed violently She looked
at him for moment, with some expression in
her blue eyes that he could not understand
but he soon found out that it was only sur
prise and ANNOYANCE.
Then you had better 60" she said, in low
voice.
Don't be so awfully cruel" said Edgar,
trembling. Odd you think that man could
see you every day for a fortnight, and not wor-
ship you! Some fellows might have gone
away and said nothing, but could not do that
Are you so very angry with me.' f. .t,.
Yes. You ought to have gone away. 1t
is not right" .... .e ~ 3
As the stern little lady said this, turning
half away from Edgar, her kitten made a
spring and chung to her dress. She took it up
and fondled it in her hands; the little thing.
purred, and rejOiced in her kindness, while
poor Edgar looked on with dark gloomy eyes
why isn't it right, if / love YOU better
than life!o he said. "Why shouldn't l tell
you so! Now forget everything else, and tell
me the truth. If you were girl with nothing,
would you find it impossible to marry me. Do
you hate me as much rs tha5!n,
There was a long silence It seemed that
Lady Adela could not, or would not, answer
Edgar gazed at her, and she at the kitten,
which went on purring, while the cat rushed
about in the bushes and the wind rustled Che
trees softly and far away here was a sound of
singing. 1t was very provoking, certainly to
be made love to by an impossible person on
such morning, when all creation was enjoy
ing itself