The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22
CHAPTER


I strange, and sorrowful to tell you.
@What is it, dear p
Mrs. Darlington lifted her eyes from the
Tauchnitz novel she was reading and looked
at her daughter standing in the circle OF
the freight on the hearth.
''lt is something that makes Inc feel at
once honored and ashamed, proud and sor-
rowful y
"Well, what is it =
The girl came close to the chintz-covered
couch on which her mother lay, with a
colored Afghan rug over her knees-for to
Mrs. Darlington the mountain air was al
ways chill-and stood there hesitating.
lis it news from home p
'Oh no; it is only this NJ. de la Roche
loves me.
''Dear Connie, 1 am so glad
"Why, mother ?"
Because he is good man and gen.
tleman, and | am sure he will make you
happy
darling mother, you surely have not
forgotten?"
@No; but | think it is quite time you
had, Connie, l am ashamed to think that
you should ever cast backward thought
on Frank Dalby, shamefully as he behaved
He is not worth remembering
Perhaps not; but still l cannot forget
him" the girl answered, crying softly, with
her hands clasped about her knees, and
her fair hair tumbled over her forhead,
Mrs. Darlington rose and came over be-
side her daughter, and drew the fair trou.
bled face to her breast ''You were Away:
my favorite child" she said, huskily; ''tht
first and the dearest, and / have tried al
ways to do for you the best | knew.
have no interest in life that is not bound VI
with your happiness. | have been your
slave and servant ever since your unde
served sorrow came Do not, therefore
merit a little thanks and consideration Z"
''You do; and am trying all | can t
please you; is it not for your sake that
have consented to 90 back to Farnleigh Z
eyes; but now | want something NOR
of you
'tWhat is it" There came the hunted
look of a brave animal into the girls blu'
eyes as she spoke.
at is that you try to love NJ. lie Pasteur
Oh, indeed, it will not be difficult, Connie
if you only try. He is so good, so true
gentleman, so grand Christian; and thel
you would make him so happy"
at would seem like sacrilege, and
would not be fair to him" the girl answered
below her breath.
sQuite fair when he knows all. Sh
rested her face against her mothers kne
for an instant, and then she looked up
smiling sadly through her tears.
"Two years ago, had loved NJ. lie Pas
teur and desired to marry him, you woul'
have thought me mad.
Eyes; because two years ago | was prou'
and FOOLISH" but in her heart the mothe
was thinking 1.-TWO years ago your lit
was unspoiled; now there are only frag
ments left for its rebuilding
''Could it be right to marry him 7"
That was the question the girl sat askini
herself over and over as the wind rose ant
whistled among the pines Once she woul
have thought it wicked to do so, but now
it would make him happy, and if he ehos
her, knowing the truth. That kiss whicI
he had placed on her lips an hour befor
had convinced her that she cared for him
not with the proud, shy fondness of tina
long ago love, but with tenderness tina
perhaps was as worthy of him.
And then to be here always with hin
and the simple mountain folk, while sh
faded from the minds of her Englis
friends and was forgotten. That would b
pleasant. She loved the blue valleys, tn
misty heights, the silvery music of tn
r cow-bells, and the simple faces that smile
on her with mingled awe and admiration
Yes, she could be happy here, not in tn
old, full-bodied, triumphant way, but ia
happier than by any other coming poss
bility.
She sat smiling at the freight, and tn
tears had dried from off her face, and the