The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-03-01


our hopes. The wedding-day was fixed,
my trousseau was nearly ready, the sojourn
for the honeymoon was decided on, and as
far as human ken could reach nothing APP
peared which could possibly interfere with
the event which was to place coronet ON
nay brow and make me the wife of dark,
stern Eustace Rutherford.
My aunt paused moment, and looking
dreamily out over the distant scene of orch
ard and garden, dimly glimmering in the
last faint rays of the red sunset, sighed
SADLY
l seem to see those scenes of the past
still. 1 could almost fancy that figure pae-
ing there beneath on the lawn, and pausing
every now and then to look at this window,
was that of Eustace Rutherford. 1t was
just such an evening, l remember, when as
sat there on that seat, Mabel, over which
hangs that rich laburnum, was startled
by Eustace's hurrying up in breathless
state, and seizing my hand, exclaimed;
''Magdalen, l must leave you; my mother
has been taken dangerously i'll, and l must
90 to her. 1 have only an instant to say
but 1 will write.
And then, before 1 could say a word, he
had kissed me hastily and was gone.
I turned pale and cold, though scarce
ly knew why, and without further delay l
went into the house to tell the news to my
sister Alice.
''This is indeed sad. Poor Eustace !
He loves his mother so devotedly," she ex-
simply.
"Yes," | answered; "and it will put off
our marriage for-heaven knows how long"
All, in my selfshness, was true
prophecies. "
Alice looked up, gravely.
"That should scarcely be your first
Magdalen." :"
Il know it ought not; but I'm not a
good young person like you, Ally, and be-
sides I'm in love, you know" | replied
lightly, as | was wont to do when | felt l
ought to be ashamed of myself; and then l
sat down to the piano and began dashing
off brilliant waltz, till my sisters light
hand laid upon my shoulder suddenly
checked me.
Don't play that now, Magdalen; come
to tea and calm yourself little, she said.
''You are unwise to give way to such ex-
citable moods. Lord Rutherford is not
the nature to stand it.
II know that, and l do not indulge in
them before him, replied.
"But if you allow this habit to grow,
when you are married you will not find the
restraint easy" she exclaimed.
Il shall not trouble myself then; my
husband must take me for what | am, y
was my reply.
81 needed not Alice's firm 'You are
very wrong, Magdalen," to make me aware
of the fact; but somehow that evening
felt as if some great pressure had been
taken off me, and my own true nature,
evil though it might be, would out.
| went out again into the garden to
avoid continuing the conversation and to
calm myself.
The next day l watched anxiously for /
letter-for, truth to tell, 1 was particularly
anxious that my wedding should take place
at the time named, and if Lady Ruther
ford died knew this could not be. Blu
to my surprise Eustace did not write for ;
couple of days, and then only hurried
note to say that his mother continued i'll
but that he thought there were still fain
hopes of her ultimate recovery; he did MOI
even mention his return.
| Twas disappointed; but at the same tint
l knew Lord Rutherford's cold nature, anC
| therefore comforted myself with the
thought that he probably had not the gif
of warm love-letter writing. l was natur
ally of lively disposition, and putting th'
epistle in my desk, l certainly troubled
myself but little about it, turning my atten
ton to such amusement as Eustaces alb
sence now gave me leisure to join In.
Instead of confning myself to the rector,
garden, went visiting among the neigh
boring families, and-alas for my weakness
and idleness again fell into the compan.
of Guy Deveril. Since my engagement tt
Lord Rutherford | had done my best t.
avoid Capt. Deveril, feeling that it wa
better for my own happiness and also NOR
pleasant to Eustace, who, though he woult
not stoop to outward demonstration Of jeal
ously, was one who | knew would brool
no rival. Now that | had nothing to do
however, no one to be with me constantly
the temptation was too great for me to re
sist, and, insensibly, from meeting Guy il
company, and talking generally with him
[ passed on to strolling with him apart from
others, and finally to tete-a-tete rambles anC
moonlight saunterings, much in the sam'
free way which | had been wont to indulg
in before my betrothal.
Guy was more on a level with mysel
than the stern, intellectual Lord Ruther
ford, and the effort made to comprehend
and appreciate Eustace was not necessar.
when l was with the gay captain.
He loved pleasure, romance, poetry
music-all that could give sunshine to life
but which gives no help to weather it
storms-and was of the same light nature
His company charmed me, and that gallan
attention in little matters, which LorC
Rutherford would never have thought o
paying, charmed me. But though in
dulged my vanity and love of gayety, m.
conscience was still on the alert, and as ye
l was faithful in my thoughts to Eustace
and if he had but returned then, as hope'
and expected, all might have been well
All, how different indeed might my fat
have been
Days, weeks passed. couple of month
went by, and Lord Rutherford only wrot'
that his mother fingered still, but in sucl
state that from day to day they expecte'
her to breathe her last. Our union he nevel
mentioned: only once or twice did he speal
of his return and though his letters cam
regularly enough, and always breathet
affection, I began to receive them as
matter of course, and to grow slowly les
interested in their contents.
I was a little displeased at Eustace a
thus deserting me for his dying mother
and the attentions of Guy Deyeril wert
therefore all the more welcome; aud
know not whether by design or not, JUS
N 1al. 1