Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1883-02-03

| 6iauCCo WAtCn 1uhJ mcdu 30 MucuI OF
nothing; no tangible sign of its being
anything more than summers fiirta-
ton. But he had meant more, and she
knew it. Even now he could fancy that
earnest, loving little face sad with
''hOpe deferred" Yet he knew that he
did not now love Flora Blake as he
loved this other woman into whose sweet
thralldom., he had driited half.uncon-
conc ciously. And Fred Marsburg, who
believed himself to be man of honor,
felt his cheeks flushing painfully in the
darkness, as he threw himself into a
chair beside the open window and tried
to think it out.S
As he did SO, he observed two figures
entering through a side-gate into the
grounds, having Just TUNED off from
the street, and half-mechanically, he
watched them steadily approach, too
busy with his own thoughts to notice
who they we're. But as they came
nearer he became aware that the lady
was Miss Haggerty, for there was no
mistaking that graceful, gliding figure,
partially disguised, though it was in a
long, dark cloak which completely
enveloped her. He saw with, surprise,
that she was in the company of some
strange man at that late hour of the
night when he had supposed her to be
sleeping the sweet sleep of innocence
| at home. They were speaking rapidly,
and in low tones, the Italian language,
but he could distinguish nothing save
the fervent "addio," which the man
muttered as he left her.
A jealous pain shot through Fred's
heart az the sight. What could that
strange italian be to the woman whom
he wished to honor with the proffer of
his own name and fortune? Forgetting
Flora Blake entirely, forgetting, also,
that he Lad no right, as yet, to question
the actions of his sisters governess, he
ran swiftly down the staircase to meet
her at the side door as she entered.
Miss Haggerty looked pale and wor-
ried, and met her lovers questioning
look, he almost roughly seized her by
the wrists, with eyes that showed
astonishment and fear in their dark
depths.
"My brother, signor," she said
quickly, without waiting to be cate
chized, and as if dropping unconsciously
into her native tongue, she has led
wild life and given me world of trou-
BILE. hoped that 1 had escaped him
when came here"
"But you were conversing in italian,
Miss Haggerty," he said, with almost
fierce suspicion is his tones. {" l had no
idea that you were not countrywoman
of my own.S
"You understood what we were say
ing, then?" she asked, with a quick,
searching glance into his face.
"No."
At this unexpected answer sudden
look of ineffable relief swept over her
features.
"Our mother was Italian, Mr.. Mar
burg" she said, "and Antonio prefers
her language to our colder English.
Though, save in conversation with him,
I rarely use it myself" Then, with a
sorrowful look of wounded pride that
went straight to his heart, she added
81 am panied to read in your face, Mr..
Marburg, that you think some evil of
me-"
'I do not-Heaven forbid |" exclaim-
ed Fred, fervently, ashamed of his brief
suspicion. 81 was startled ont of my
senses by seeingyou out when thought
you were in your room, asleep-that is
sion in his heart surging up in hot
words to his lips at sight of her beauti-
full, panied face SO near him. But
something-his better angel, perhaps
checked the wild words ere they were
spoken. 81 beg you to forgive my
rudeness,-' he ended, in a6ifferent tone,
letting go her wrist and turning hastily
away. ''Good night I"
Perhaps Miss Haggerty wondered at
his sudden change of manner, but she
only looked after him with quiet
smile.
Mrs. Lord had returned, and was
once more sat home" to select com.
pahy which filled her lofty rooms,
resplendent with jewels. dreamy with
Gsrman waltzes, and heavy with the
fragrance of thousand flowers. Yet
among all that brilliant crowd none was
SO distinguished for rare attrs 5tiveness
as the poor governess, Miss Haggerty.
Fred Marburg meant to speak this even
ing, for the ghost of that. October mid
night and the low-spoken addio waited
to his jealous ear, which haunted him
often enough, had not had power to
break her spell.
He watched her moving about, with
her striking beauty and unconscious
ease, as much at home in that polished
company as the hostess herself, and felt
sort Of pride Of ownership already in
his heart. He believed that she loved