Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-12-03

lancled ne should like to knock Mr.. Rolau
Cavei down; for, of course, he was after n
good, though Janet might think he was; bu
prudence restrained him from both thos
acts, and suggested that he h ad better defe
his revenge, and make his escape before b
was discovered.
Accordingly he began to retreat in tn
same stealthy manner as that with whicl
he had advanced; but q backward movemen
Is not always accomplished with the sam
de1terity as forward one, and in few
minutes an accident happened which be
trayed the curious footman's proximity.
John fell over the root of tree which wa
growing about two inches above the ground
"Hsllo!" cried Roland Cavel, runnin,
forward "Who is there ?''
And he soon saw who was there; for Johr
was sprawling on the ground, pinned iu tina
PROSTATE position by half dozen rittlt
thorns.
"Oh !' gasped Janet.
tsyou have been listening, you rascal p
exclaimed Roland, collaring the man-ser-
want, and elevating him with violent jerk.
"No, I ain'tp' growled John, almost
choking. 81 was too far off,
"Do you think that is true9" asked Ro-
land, looking at Janet for an answer.
But Janet was too frightened to speak.
SIS it the trnth?" demanded Roland of
his prisoner, giving him shake, and loosen
ing his hold, in order to allow him to reply
clearly.
eyes, sir; true as am born?' shouted
John, '1didn't hear any of the love- making
indeed, didn'tV'
Glove making ~ echoed Roland Cavel,
suppressing a smile. "That's what you
think it is, do you?"
"Ain't right?" inquired the footman,
with look which convinced Roland Cavel
that he was interested in the answer.
Greatly, john" interrupted Janet, step
ping forward, ''how can you talk in that
way? 1t is an insult to Mr.. Roland Cavel
to suppose him making love to me. Meth
er he nor I was thinking of such a thing"
swell, you were very close together, all
the same" muttered John, "closer than I
like to see; and you were whispering, un-
common familiar"
Janet laughed.
''It is good thing we did whisper she
said. "Perhaps we suspected eaves-drop-
pers. do not think any better of you,
John, for creeping silly in among the SHRUBS
to see what was about, just because you
heard me talking to some one.
You knew quite well that was waiting
for you in the park, and therefore you ought
to have come up in straightforward man
ner. Suppose Mr.. Cavel aoas speaking to
me, is there anything strange in that, or in
his happening to be in the parx during the
time of my waiting? Had you permitted me
to do my own errand, perhaps such an un-
usual event would not have occurred. Jeal-
ousy has made you construe the words we
have exchanged into love-msking. Go
home, John, and smother your suspicious if
you wish to recover my good opinion"
eyes, go homs," added Roland sternly;
land if hear any more about this matter,
1t will be the worse foryou. Doyou under
stand ?''
eyes, sir, I understand" replied John,
hanging his head in much the same way as
a dog hangs its tail when it knows it has
done wrong, and has been scolded.
Then, without another word, he picked
UP Janet's flowers, which he had laid aside
in the shadow on first hearing the voices,
and turned in the direction of Weldon Hall.
"Do you think that fellow heard more
than he chose to acknowledge ?" asked Ro-
land, anxiously, of Janet, as the conquered
footman disappeared.
"No," answered Janet; "but 1 wish he
had not seen US together"
"Why?"
glance with one which made her cast down
her eyes.
Then he took her hand, and bending low,
pressed his lips upon it for the second time.
'Jauet," said he, with voice full of enc
tion-"Janet, perhaps Johns suspicious
might be realized in time"
"And perhaps not" answered Janet,
quietly. 81 assure you, Mr.. Roland, 1 feel no
more than sisters sinterestin your welfare
I have no ambition to be lady by marri-
age, if I am not one by birth"
"You are very proud, " remarked Roland,
gazing at the pretty dignifed lady 's-maid
with admiration.
eyes" replied Janet, smiling. "Too
proud to linger any longer in such strange
talk with one superior in position. I am
pleased to serve you, Mr.. Roland; but will
not risk my fair name to doit. There must
be no more private meetings, for Johns in
terruption may make this one cost me dear;
though trust we have warded off the effect
it would have caused had he escaped with
out discovery
This speech delivered, the little maid
bowed to Roland Cavel with exceeding
grace, and walked with the dignity of an
empress down the path which had just been
traversed by the footman.
ITO be continued.]