The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-02-21

Didn't you know, Miss 1nglestOn
He is coming back to marry me"
"Youp
The word sounds like a cry. The dog
banks sharply, and hurries from his mis-
tress. 1t is no wonder, for her delicate
hands have torn and wounded Its ear In
the blindness of her pain.
"You are surprised, says Mile. But
always loved him, even when"
40, hush interrupts the heiress.
She gets up with an ordinary remark,
for some village folks are coming along
the footpath, and in silence she turns
away.
The Manor is small, unpretending
house, though the finest park IN the
country surrounds it. There is one
room worthy of the owners wealth and
rank-the billiard-room, which is built
in the west wing. At the lower part OF
the room is an immense bay-window
that looks out upon the croquet-lawn.
One bright morning, soon after her
conversation with Mile, Miss Ingleston
stands in this bay-window, by little
round lapis-lazuli table. A desk is open
on it, and she is turning over its con-
tents.
There are very few-half-a-dozen letters,
in bold, manly hand, little silver
cross attached to a luxuriously-worked
chain, and a portrait. This last Miss
Ingleston takes out and looks at earnest
| ly 1t is the picture of a young, eager,
handsome face, with eyes that smile and
Lips that seem trembling with fun.
Eight years ago, when Miss Ingleston
had been a penniless girl of seventeen,
living with her mother close to Millicent
Leighton's home, being daily visitor at
the farm, Mr.. Leighton's nephew had
come to the village for change of air af-
ter long illness. He was the son of
the farmers only sister, who had married
a clergyman, poor curate, and their
only child was trained and educated
carefully by his clever, refined, scholarly
father and his bright original mother.
He was a child of "many prayers" and
he we'll fulfilled his friends dearest
wishes. When Miss Ingleston first saw
him, he was in his early manhood
bright and eager and impassioned, and
it was no wonder that he soon learned to
love the girl who seemed to understand
all his vague longings for fame, and who
alone, of all the friends of the farmers
household, could appreciate his scholar.
ship and his varied knowledge of books
They seemed one of those couples
whose course of true love was indeed
fated to run smooth. They were en-
gagged, and everybody was delighted
and no shadow was in the future but
the shadow Of brief parting. Ernest
was an engineer, and he had just obtained
an appointment under the Russian Gov
eminent 1t was decided that he should
go out and prepare his home, and thai
Eleanor should go to him. The future
appeared as sure as the past, when, by {
freak Of fortune, Eleanor's uncle became
the lord of the manor Eleanor was hi.
heiress, and she and her mother lief
their little cottage for the Manor House
and new life began for the heiress
Alas, love was not proof against the new
temptations, and there were those arounc
her ever willing to lure her to neglec
her old friends. Her lover was to-
proud to try to win back the heart which
pride was stealing from him; and, befor,
, he started for Russia, their engagement
was broken, and Eleanor was set free.
Eight years have passed since then
!. and she is still free-the thought send
strange thrill through her heart-free
, and he is coming home-her old love
,, her only Lowell Pride cannot stand in TIL
way, for he is fitting mate in rank am
: wealth now for the heiress, and th
? world would smile upon their union.
She puts the picture back and with
smile locks the little desk. There is
!. mirror in the room, and Eleanor look
2 into it for moment as she passes Out
s Those eight years have only ripened he
= beauty; and, looking into her rich, dar
. eyes, she thinks of Millicent Leighton
! simple face, and smiles again.
C Mile is in the fragrant garden, Blu
not alone. One would not recognize th
5, face Of the bearded man beside her "a
5 the portrait in Miss Ingleston's desk; bu
n the eyes are the same still, though the
r smile has grown more thoughtful. lei
8 arm is round his companion, and he
u looking down at her blushing, happ
;" face as he talks and tells her of the hon
le that is ready for her in Russia.
g. "Only for time, Mile; then we WI
d, come home, and settle down in SON
" pleasant English house."
e est?' ~ =
ID always, darling forever and eve
in | am going to dine at the rectory.n /
st continues, after pause. "Any messag
I'D Miller
ne She shakes her head and laughs an
ge bushes at his gay whisper. He %
IN, away presently; and Mile watches III
ut across the meadows and along n