The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-11-17
TRUSTED TOO WELL.
.Casstll's Magazine.

10 MT. NoDeft f1eAolcy, uSutendnt m ner majes,y's service, after an acquaintance of only three weeks. It was easy to talk asou, love at first sight, to assert that in this brief space of time they had reached a degree of intimacy which many happily married people had failed to achieve in three years, to point out that his ante eeden;s were as completely satisfactory as his presence, which no one denied to be singularly straightforward and win ming. In spite of all plausibilities, two sets Of cavaliers remained-those men and girls, namely, who were jealous either of him or of her, and those few older people who had some actual or personal experience of untoward possi- bili,ies in love affairs. Besides, in this case the shortness of the acquaintance was not the only hazardous circumstance of the engagement. Only few days later. Headley and Captain Erskine lthe friend at whose house he had been stay ing. and who had introduced him to the Laihams) sailed for India, and Beatrice was left to live on the memory of a months surpassing happiness and to wal, patiently for the return of her lover The girls trust in him was absolute. She had. as it were, been taken by storm, for in the unreserved ardor of Headley's l wooing she did not perceive the want of i depth, the absence of selfrestraint in his nature, but only an entire devotion to her i self. which made her brim over with de- l light and responsive affection. Thus her l passionate belief in his loyalty enabled ] her to face the weary years of separation with marvellous courage, which served to increase the respect and admiration already accorded her as one of the sweet est and most beautiful girls in the wide district of kersham. Captain Erskine, who was an old playfellow of the Laihams, regarded her as little less of an angel than her sister Connie, and when at the final leave-taking she appeared to him to stand by Headley through thick and thin, he registered a silent VOW that his promise given in return should not be an idle one.
 For more than a year Beatrice never had moments anxiety. Headley was well and happy, and his frequent letters breaihed the same ardent affection that she had learnt to believe in from his lips When, however, the report of difficulties in Afghanistan was followed by the news ,ha, both Headley and Erskine had been ordered 10 the front, ii was no wonder that she should be sorely tried by the fears and uncertainties of the long cam paign. Letters reached her only a, long intervals. and were usually so shor, and hurried as to give her an increased sense of the hard work. the insecurity, the stir and turmoil with which her lover was sur rounded. She bore up bravely by din, of constantly impressing upon herself the necessity of fortitude in soldiers bride. but her great love made confidence and oomposure very hard sometimes. Then at last one day letter came which dis sipated all her fears and filled her with joyful antieipations. Connie, who was in the room when it arrived, noticed the star, she gave and the light that flashed into her face as she read. and asked. smiling
 Well. dear. what is the news 7:
 Beatrice rose and impulsively riuns her arms round her sisters neck,
 ! oh. Connie' she cried. Rob is coming home.'
 No; really. Bee
 Yes, really. repeated Beatrice. half sobbiag with excitement and gladness {: 1" suppose ought to be sorry, for he has been wounded bu, he says II is nothing 10 speak of-only jus, enough 10 get leave for and can think of nothing but seeing him again. He and Richard Erskine were s,de by side and both got hurt. They sail this mon,L-how long does !, take: Connie, Connie, he will be here in few weeks
 Hush. Beatrice. you musn', excite yourself. said Connie reprovingly: bu, her own heart was beating now d, the though, of Erskine's return. and she added nervously. "I hope Richards wound IS only slight. too
 "Oh. yes" said Beatrice. laughing and kissing her. they will both be near well by the time they reach England And Bob has go, his captainoy-isn'; ,ha, i splendid -
 The girl grew gradually more com posed. bu, she could not sober down al- together, and every day tha, brought the vessel bearing Headley nearer home seemed 10 add to the brightness of her eyes and the indescribably happy light hear;edness of her manner. Headley sent d letter overland whenever they V. from Gibraltar, he wrote iha, he hoped 10 be with her on the following Sunday but she must not wonder if he were de layed day or two ; he would telegraph the moment he landed.
 To the impatient girl the intervening days passed with almos, in,olerable dila- ,onness: they were so long. SO hot. so still, so full of a summer drowsiness out of all sympathy with the highly strung state of her emotions. She could no, wal, quietly unless every hour was illed up by some active occupation she fre,,ed and ehafed against the unhas,ing leisure liness of time. and wore herself ou: with restless longings for Headley's coming.
 On the Saturday the La,hams took part in large nusting party. and it was a general comment that no one stood the heat so well, or worked with such un- tagging perseverance, as Beatrice. As the shadows heightened. one couple stole of for stroll, and Beatrice, turning round to toss bunch of nuts into the