Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-11-21


heard: and Hal, who was very fastldI
Gus, pronounced her pretty.
Truth pushed away her marisne un-
tasted.
The color did not come back into
the round cheeks.
She went up stairs and tried TO think
what she would wear to Mrs. st.
Roses.
Weatever it might be, she was sure
Maud Myrtle's would be prettier.
She was very fashionable, and Nell
had an eye for dainty costumes.
No sign of Neil that evening, nor all
the next long. bright day, though The
St. Rose carriage had gone by-Neil
driving with his beautiful cousin.
Miss Myrtle was beautiful!
Truth saw that she was a charming
brunette. with cherry-red mouth, and
curling black lashes.
She was talking 10 Nell with the
most delightful animation, and he was
listening with an enjoyable smile.
If she had been crying again, when
she ame down dressed for the party.
cologne and dash Of pearl powder had
concealed all results about the pretty
lid..
She wore viii and nots Of cherry
blossom, and looked gentle and sweet
enough for nun Cf a BRIDE, Nell
Gaynor thought, when he saw her.
He bowed pleasantly.
He had Maud Oh his arm ; he seemed
devoted to her, Truth thought.
lie finds Ter kinder than |. aud she
is far prettier y she murmured.
She felt as il she were choking, hul
she must now 1ot be a baby there.
She forced herself 10 chat and eat
ices. keeping for the most part with
Hal. though he was strangely pre- occu-
pied, aud spilled cream and blundered
over ladies' dresses in most unusual
way for him.
Truth asked him to take her out into
the garden at last, aud he did so.
Part was Illuminated with Chinese
lanterns, aud part in lovely moonlight
and the fragrance, and music. made
Truth want to cry more than before
that strange lonely pain at her heart
was so very hard TO bear.
Hal brew himself down on the seal
ola little ro,e-covered arbor, with a
long sigh, which Truth observed, and
asked hun if his new boots hurt him.
He replied gravely that they did not
although they were a snug fit.
You had better run and sing that
duet wilo Mrs. ST. Rose. which you
declined TO do awhile ago, while L
smoke a cigar be said. 1 will be
here when you come back
Perhaps she hadn't been nice to de-
clue: il wouldn't do TO NOPE there any
way. Truth knew; she certainly should
be crying-the music OF the band hidden
among the acacias was so sad; so, never
suspecting that Hal wanted to be rid oi
her. she turned away and fitted back
TO the parlors.
Again Mrs. St. Rose urges her TO sing
with her, and this time she consented.
But the words 1urried and the light'
dazzled her, for Neil, with Maud upon
his arm went out as she came 10.
Ater the song she hirted desperately
with Bert St. hose for twenty minutes,
and then slipped away 10 rejoln Hal.
She ran down The piazza steps, turn
ed around a clump o. shrubbery, and
there in the shadow OF locust tree,
stood a pair Vf lovers.
She could only see the outline OF the
penileman,s form in the gloom, bat oi
course it was Neil Gaynor, Tor the
glow ofa Chinese lantern struck Maud
M,rtle's face while it was lifted tender
ly TO his. as bending, he kissed those
beautiful lips, and as Truth paused,
breathless. she saw a ring slipped on
that snowy hand.
With a sob shc tprned aud fed noise,
lessly as a zephyr.
She reached the rose arbor by another
path.
She rushed into the fragrant gloom
and flung herself upon the halt incum'
bent figure on the rustic seat. ,.I
on. dear Hal, take me homo II
want TO 20 l cannot stay here! Neil
lGaypor is engaged to his cousin. and
Ilr. all my fault. | refused HIN.
didn't dare toll y.p, But oh, Pm so
miserable You don't need to scold
me, Hal. As soon as he had gone L
knew l loved him, He's 80 Grave,
good aud splendid. How could help
it? was silly; but L am unhappy
now, oh, Hal, take me home ! my
heart will breakv
The arms which had closed so quick
" about her drew closer.
In all bis life Hal had never failed
to be tender when she repented OF her
follies.
Don't scold me, Hal? l am punish
ed enough. love him so, and ! have
lost him!
Are you sure little girl p .'
1t wasn't Halls voice. ..t
Truth caught quick breath as that
strange vet familiar voice went on.
Are you sure that you love me,
ThrutLie darling ? Because 1 hold you
so dear / cauuot be trihed with again.
Nell