The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-08-18

were IN neaft, as In DetIuiS, SeHtIculdH
Other desultory conversation followed,
and soon afterwards / rose to take my
leave.
sStay one moment longer" she request
ed, as she tripped across the room to lit
tie cabinet. II have trife here for your
acceptance; you must not 60 away without
it. There p she added, as she placed in
my hand splendidly executed miniature
of herself. "You will not refuse to wear
this as a memento of your services to me- :"
| bent over it and kissed it fervently,
and also the snow-white hand that she
placed in mine to bid me farewell
"And now, Mr.. Meredith, goodbye
Let nc hear now and then of your well
fare. You will perhaps occasionally leave
town for few days holiday Whenever
Won may chance or choose to come in the
neighborhood of Briteleigh Hall, remem-
Der shall expect call from you Nay;
no excuses. command it !! She spoke
with bewitching imperiousness that awed
and fascinated me.
Miss Wmtock." | stammered. Il shall
be most happy-most delighted toto;
but perhaps fear---
Gazing upon me for an instant with II
fixed look of astonishment-"But perhaps
what?'' she asked.
'Miss Wintock, [ appreciate your kind
ness far more highly than any poor words
of mine can express; but, in fact, [ dare
not trust myself. 1t is for me extremely
painful to decline your kindly meant invi-
tation; but it would be even more painful
for me to accept it; and it is quite posi-
ble," [ blurted out, scarcely knowing what
[ said, ''that Major Courtly might not en-
tirely approve of my doing So"
Both ladies regarded me with looks of
intense and puzzled wonder, as if they
thought [ was going distraught.
"Maior Courtlyr' each involuntarily
repeated very slowly and in the same breath.
The next moment both burst into stimuli
taneous peal of merriment; and Miss
Wrightly, with both hands to her face, to
conceal her confusion, hurried out of the
room. Miss Wintock was the first to re-
cover her composure. For myself, [ was
completely COMPOUNDED, and stood speech
less
'Mr Meredith" she gravely replied,
'sthis is serious matter, thong Oh I have
been silly enough to laugh at it. What
can Major Courtly have to do with you
giving me friendly call now and then at
my own residence, if [ choose to entertain
your
d thought that he had right to
I have heard that you were"
"Major Courtly is the affianced suitor of
Miss Wrightly, the lady who has just left
the room" she quickly interrupted. ''What
next
There was mischievous archness in her
glance 1t flashed upon my mind that she
half suspected my secret. | lost all self
command Out it came in headlOng
torrent of words that would not be con-
trolled In the frenzy which shook me,
I had taken her hand in mine, when she
gave me one startled look, and with her
face averted, stood motionless as statue,
her color alternately fading from crimson
to the pallor of swooning, and then as
quickly flushing to the brightest crimson
again. [ told her all-of the love first
kindled while she bent over me by dim
candle-light in her dark prison-chamber-
how, through the long dreary months which
had since elapsed, it had gathered inten-
sity, until it had become the quintessence
of my existence-now that, realizing the
impossible gulf that yawned between her
station and mine, had resolved to come
and bid her farewell, and then to see her
no more, but to bury my secret within my
breast for ever, and bear my burden as best
| might. Bending for an instant over the
hand that cold as marble, still rested in
my own, | raised it passionately to my lips,
and was about to rush from the apartment,
when a sudden dizziness seemed to over
take her. But for my assistance she
would have fallen to the floor.
| was sobered in an instant, Mortified at
the consequences of my own impetuosity as
[ conveyed her to the sofa. | was about
to ring the bell for assistance, when she
languidly opened her eyes. ado not ring,
at least for minute or two; | shall be
better presently. A little water''-point
ing to the table.
[ fastened to comply but my hand
trembled so violently that [ could scarcely
help her, as, kneeling on one knee, [ raised
it to her lips ''Ohr' | cried, ''forgive
me- Miss Wintock, the alarm and pain
have caused you believed that intense
terror at my excited manner and speech
commingled with anger at my effrontery,
had caused her to swoon. II will summon
Miss Wrightly: and never intrude my hate
full presence upon you again. Would that
my tongue had been"
She laid her hand gently on my arm.
"Do not speak, please; | cannot talk yet
She sat for some minutes without NOV
ing or speaking, and with her eyes cast
down. Presently, few pearly drops be-
gan to steal gently from under the dark
penciled eyelashes. For my own part, |
scarcely dared to breathe At last the
color began slowl y to tint her cheeks.
Suddenly she removed her hand from my
arm, and with great effort stood erect.
John Meredith she said, II know you
to be brave; believe you to be sincere.
Tell me solemn was that your whole
mind and soul, or only mistaken feeling
of enthusiasm in parting with dear
friend ?'
dearest Miss Wintock, it was indeed
my whole mind and soul, MY
''Then take me to your heart, John
Be my protector through life, as you have
been my gallant deliverer from worse than
death"
1t was not till some time afterwards that
| left the house. Miss Wrightly did not
return to the library; and we sat sweetly
conversing of the bitter past, the joyful
present and the hopeful future. At length
the supper-bell warned us that we must
part, and tore myself away, once more to
dream-but this time blissfully Maria
Wintock
A few months later, we had quiet
wedding in the metropolis, Mr.. Wrightly
officiating as father, and his daughter as
one of the bridesmaids. But at Briteleigh