Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-05-10


how good and uDselflsh he was But, more
than all, he had been brought into close contact
with the man himself, and he had had time end
opportunity to become acquainted with bis dis
position. and to mark the many little ways in
which his generosity and true nobility of charac-
ter showed themselves. The result was a total
revulsion of feeling towards Mr.. Maitland al
most - complete as that towards his daughter
1t was the evening before Whit-Sunday. the
time about g. Henniker, who had been out rid
ing: went to the drawing-roOm, not expecting
to find any one there, for Lily had driven into
the town to make some purchases and he hard
ly fancied she could have returned yet. He was
mistaken, however, for she was seated before
the fire and in so deep revere that he had to
speak to her before she became aware of his
presence
"YOur Thoughts seem to be pleasant ones Miss
Maitland. if one may judge from the expression
of your face" he said as he took seat near
her.
She started violently and hot color stole into
her cheeks. Henniker wondered why she should
blush so much at such apparently innocent
words.
1t was but momentary, however. and when
the flush died away it seemed to leave her face
paer than usual. -.
Thoughts at Whtsuntide ought to be pleas
ant. Mr.. Henniker," she.sad; "but don't know
that mine were particularly happy. Did you
enjoy your rider
Very much. Sam. as think you call him,
country about Manchester was so interesting
1t is really very pretty out beyond Cheadle."
Il am glad you liked it; you will, at any rate,
have one pleasant remembrance Of Manchester
to carry away with you"
There was something in the tone in which she
said this-sOmething half sad and reprOachful-
that caused Henniker to lose his head
There is one remembrance that will ALWAYS
be inexpressibly dear to me-" he said, in low
voice.
Tho moroon+ bo bod ,,,,-,, -, ~. a.. l.. :,
betrayed himself. There was no turning back
now; come what might, he must go on. A
choking sensation rose in his throat but he resO-
ntely forced it back, and steeled himself for the
coming ordeal
The flush again rose to hercheek. 1t was i'm
possible to mistake his meaning. For moment
what he would have construed as almost a
happy look came over her face; but It passed
away quickly, and her features grew hard and
set.
Il hardly understand you, she said neryouslv:
and he noticed that, despite her efforts to re-
main composed, the hand nearest him was
trembling violently.
1.-The dearest remembrance shall have when
| leave Manchester will be of yourself" he said
81 scarcely intended to make this avowal 80
sOon Miss Maitland, but now that circumstances
have led up to it, 1t would simply be cowardce
II did not speak plainly. love you! know
that this is great presumption on my part, and
that am not half worthy of you, but indeed
COoluu uyStll II was Impossible De
In the same house with you without loving you.
On my darling, If You only knew how much
love You, how passiOnately, since came here,
have hung upon every look and every smile
you have given me, surely your heart would
come ont to me as my heart has gone out to
be my ', ,fe!"
He had dung himself upon the ground beside
her as he spoke and had clasped her hand in
MIS- For moment she permitted it to remain
inr 10 l,o- ,l~oIa
nature seemed to respond to his appeal; then,
with sudden effort she drew herself away and
rose to her feet
"No, will not be your wife," she said, with
flashing eyes and quiverng mouth. ''Mr. Hen
mixer, you came here despising US Door Man.
chester people. You thought we were half
savages, devoid of all cultivation and refine
mont. From the height Of your intellectual
superiority yOn looked down upon us and rid-
culed US. saw it in your manner, in your
spise was my father, one of the best, the noblest
OF men. You scOrned his speech and manners
because he did not happen to have been so fOrtu-
nate as yourself in receiving a good education.
but had worked his way upwards by energy and
industry from comparatively low rank in life
saw quite clearly what was passing in your
mind. And do you suppose + would marry
such man? No-a thousand times no."
Hennker had grown very pale.
VIII you listen to me for moment, Miss
leave the room.
For what purposei" she asked, the tone of
passionate indignation still thrilling her voice.
DO you fancy you could alter my decision?
Never. Even the daughter of a Manchester
merchant has some little respect for herself and
her relatives. l am ashamed of the man who is
ashamed of my father If YOU would go down
on your knees and offer me all the riches the
world contains l would not marry YOU! The
subject had better be dropped between u.s."
m Shn hn1
too steadily, assembled the stairs. and was living
on her bed. her face pressed into the bedclothes
sobblng as if her heart would break Only a
woman after all!
Whit-Sunday that year was a glorious dav
All nature seemed at her brightest
MIR. Maitland, Henniker and Lfly went tn
church. Coming back, the merchant Joined
friend, and Henniker and Lily were perforce
thrown together
He had seen very little of her since the affair
OF the previous evening. When they had met
she was shy and constrained. In church he
had once or twice cast quiet chances at her
indeed his thoughts We're far more OCCUPIED
with the pretty figure dressed in black at his
SIDE than with the service but her eyes at such
times were always downcast, and her attention
seemed wholly riyeted on her prayer book.
Hennik er was terribly detected, and he looked
quite pale and haggard. He felt that he could
endure this torture no longer. To be in the
SAME House WIFI tilS girl whom he loved with
all the strength and ardency of a particularly
strong nature. to feel the constant charm and
attraction OF her presence. to know that she was
not nor ever could be his, and to realize that il
was entirely through his own fault that he had
missed winning her, was more than he could
bear. He would go away but before he went
he would explain matters to her.
They walked along in silence for some dis
lance. At length Henniker said, with slight
effort:
Il am sorry. Miss Maitland. that should still
stay to offend you by my presence. Believe me.
would willingly have gone away last evening
could have done sO-indeed it is misery for me
now to remain here. But, as Mr. Maitland ex-
pressly asked me for Whit Sunday, it seemed
rude to run away on the very eve of 1t; and in
deed | could think of no excuse that would
justify such course without introducing your
name into the matter"
IL hope you won't think Of leaving on nv &C
count" she interrupted hurriedly.
Gas this, however, Is perhaps the last time
shall have the opportunity OF speaking to you
alone, he went on, without noticing her remark,
81 should like, If you will bear with me, to say
word in answer to your charge Of last night
l will speak frankly to you, Miss Maitland /
did come down to Manchester with the views
you describe, and l was an ignorant man in
doing sO-far more ignorant than the very peO-
pie whom / despised l did not think your
father well educated or well bred; but see now
how wrong was to judge man by few extei-
nal characteristics, for have discovered that he
possesses a true nobility Of disposition before
which l. with my small narrow mind, ought to
blush. / am all the better for having known
your father. Miss Maitland; and have received