The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-04-26
from Temple Bari
Monica.
BY THE AUTHOR OF ''PHYLLIs," !" MRS
GEOFFREY." ETC.

Monica.
BY THE AUTHOR OF ''PHYLL1s," MRS
GEoFFREY," ETC.
"You think rightly. She viii not
resign the property. Only yesterday
she told me she could not live without
it. In six months then, she will still
have everything, and-you into the
bargain!
Almost as these last words escape
her she repents them, and growing
pale to her very lips, turns her head
aside and becomes painfully anxious
about an. Insignificant tear that a
struggling brier has created in her
gown.
81 am not so sure of that says
Norwood unsteadily. Monica, look
at me. Nay, you must" trying to
compel her to return his gaze, which
has grown impassioned.
He has taken one of her hands in
his, and is trying to draw her nearer
to him.
Release my hand" she says in a
low tone, yet with so much authority,
that at once he obeys her. There is a
strange flash in her beautiful eyes
that warns him to dare nothing fur
ther, and yet makes his pulses throb
madly. What strange proud glance
it is, and yet what grief, what angus h
it contains.
Il am tired" says the girl wearily.
Il will go home-yes, you may come
with me; but for the future'-she
pauses and resolutely, but with evident
difficulty, forces herself to look at
him-"for the future you must prom
ise me never again to forget"
Il promise you faithfully" inter-
rupts he quickly, II shall neue''
forget"
She sighs.
Presently, turning to her almost as
they reach the cottage, he says, "Are
you going to the ball at the Grange
tomorrow EVENING""
mo"
''But you told me you were asked" :"
so was. I am not going, never
theless.''
"Why?'' There is terrible disap-
pointment in his tone.
''If you must know" she says
gently, st is because | have not got a
gown good enough"
s"That dress you wore at the Court
last evening"
''Is fossil-almost an heirloom.
The whole county knows it by heart
by this time. No! pride forbids my
exhibiting myself in it again.
IF you asked your father"
Il should have one at once-at the
expense of his being even duller than
usual for a month afterward. He
would give me every penny he poss-
esses, would probably sell some Of his
dearest possessions books-to get me
few yards Of muslin, in which to
enjoy myself for an hour or two. Do
you think I should enjoy those two
hours, knowing that? What purga-
tory they would mean"
''They would indeedr' he says
reverently, gazing at her fair, loving
face with unaffected admiration. He
does her full justice, and understands
perfectly the loyal affection that conld
find no happiness in pleasure secured
at the expense Of beloved object.
Then he wonders why Julia, who has
more money at her command than
she quite knows what to do with,ahas
had no thought for the poor little
cousin in the cottage; and then I am
afraid he thinks bitter thoughts of the
woman he ought to marry.
Y ou must come to see me the day
after the ball, and tell me all about
il" she says lightly. secondhand
to hear Of it will be better than moth
ing"
'Yes, will come," he says absent
ly-but it is plain his thoughts are
roaming, and that he is thinking of
something far removed from the soft
evening scene that surrounds him.
The morrow passes; the day dies.
Night comes on apace and covers
everything. At the Grange the fddles
are sounding, bright forms are moving
to and fro; the air is heavy with the
breath of dying flowers. It is eleven
o'clock, and the ball is well begun;
the music grows sweeter, fainter; fans
are waving gently.
Down in the cottage girl is stand
ing in white gown at one of the |
Onen windows and ia pazinu aauor1v |