Daily Republican., 1882-03-03

chair back, and gazing at him with q
most childish interest from under he
long lashes.
"This is Elfrida Maverick, Angus,
said Barbara's soft voice. "Yo,
remember her, surely; tho little Frida
whom you used to let ride on you
horse %
~ remember Iittle Frida, of course,
answered Angus. bowling low unde
the steady gaze Of those clear brOwl
eyes; "but I can scarcely believe tina
this Is she. You have changed great!
Miss Maverick"
"ALd 90 have you;" the red lips part
ed In smile az bright as 1t was sud
den. 81 remember you - handsome
young man, when was . wee ugly
smoky faced child Of eleven, and
nOw-"
"Now I am old and ugly, and you
alb, we'll, a. l said to Barbara, eight
years is quite long time"
at has not seemed 20 to me-" said
Elfrida, laughing lightly : slime goes
faster than like. sometimes wish
that the days were three times their
length, for mother IL always saying
that youth Is the happiest time of all. Z"
II can scarcely agree with her." re.
piled Angus, glancing at Barbara
fair face as she sat silent, listening
with half smile on her face. II ex-
pect to be . great deal happier
in the future than have ever been
yet : l was just telling Barbara 80 when
you came in"
~ trust you may be-" said Barbara
quietly.
Poor Barbara How hard 1t was to
sit there and seem calm and Indifferent
seem like her usual quiet self-when
her heart was almost aching with its
new sweet happiness How hard 1t
was to meet Angus eyes carelessly
when she thought Of the words that
had just been spoken between them !!
How hard it was to enter into the light
talk, when she was almost wholly alb.
sorbed in the realization of all her past
dreams, when she was quivering and
thrilling with q joy so deep that 1t
seemed almost holy
She was lady, however, by birth,
breeding, and BY nature, and in her
gentle unselishness she exerted herself
that Elfrida might not suspect that her
coming had been unwelcome, or that
her presence was not wished for.
was little hard, she thought, that
Elfrida must interrupt their first even
ing together, but it was-ah, simple
minded, credulous Barbara entirely
accidental on her part, and it would be
cruel to let her suspect that they would
rather be alone. And SO Barbara res.
olptely turned away from all consider
atoms of self, and was the kindly,
cordial hostess all that drearily long
evening, until Elfrida rose to depart.
John promised to come after me-, 81
she said, pulling her white, feecy shawl
over her shoulders, "but 1 fancy poor
little / am forgotten-brothers never do
treat their sisters properly. However,
it MAKES no difference, since the house
is 80 near. No, Barbara, you shall not
send a servant. No, Mr.. Fairseas, in!
deed it is not necessary"
But Angus saying that it was late,
anu he must return to his hotel, consti-
tuCed himself her cavalier, and badel
Barbara good night. 1t was late, but
Barbara, with n vague hope that he
might return, after parting with Elfrida
for word or two more, waited by the
window until her aunt came in, and,
finding her shivering in the night air,
advised her to retire; but it was not
until she was halfway up the stairs that
hurrying footsteps came. up the gravel
walk, and Angus, with disappointed |
look at the closed windows and silent
house, turned on his heel and disap |
peared in the night.
81 thought that little beauty wouli
never lot me 90, he said, half angrily, |
as he thrust his hands in his poe 6ets |
and strobe through the darkness.
"Confound those babyish girls! they
get around a fellow before he kno VS. it. |
What beauty she is though! If were
a painter, | should be crazy to paint
her as slie looked tonight in the moon.
light, under that syringa bush by her
gate.
The next day, as early az was per-
missib BILE, he went up to see Barbara,
but once more Fate was against them.
The house was full of visitors, who |
had come from an adjacent town to |
spend the day, and as Mrs. Raymond /
was not feeling well. Barbara had
scarcely a moment to spare from her
duties as hostess.
at is too bad" she said, with regret
full smile. II am afraid you will feei
but they are Aunt iiaymond'sI
friends, and must be civil to them.
Appreciate the situation, please; for.
give me, and entertain yourself for this
once
81 am treated shamefully, he said,
Il l.
ed hand, "but it is not your fault.
are against us, that's
all. Never mind, | sail have you
all to myself soon; till then-pa-
tience"
"You will stay to dinner" she said,
a pink flush sprea ling over her fair
face at his words; but he shook his
head.
81 am bad example of all that is
SELFISH" he said, self.reproachfully.
II will have all or none. If ! cannot
have you all to myself, / won't stay
Ind see you monopolized by others.
will cone Tomorrow" and SO he
eft her.
At the turn ofthe road small figure
was standing under syringa bush,
OOklng OUT over Jne gate. III was
llfrida, and she smiled brightly as he
lrew near.
81 knew you would come" she said,
opening the gate with childish eager
less," "Mother il ever 30 anxious to
90 you"
"And you?"
He could not resist saying this, just "
o see the shy light in the brown eyes 4
$ she glanced up at him and she
aughed and dimpled bewitchingly.
81? of course l am pleased to see
n old FRIEND" she said, with co. ,.
uettish toss of her pretty head, "es-
ecially one who used to be so good to
le az you were.'
And SO the two went into the house
,gether Some way when Angus
airseas met Barbara the next day he Il
lit guilty and oppressed. He had
hut nd