The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-08-29

result in your dishonor, for though you
may steal his heart from me and make
me wretched, you cannot win his hand.
That is engaged to me, and l will
claim it." PF 80 Ee ..aN 80
Lily, with white face and great di.
lated eyes, now suddenly, with one
sharp cry Of pain, fell down fainting
at her enemy's feet
The blow had been SO sudden. With
cruel pitiless hand Mrs. Vane had
placed hcr face to face with the secret
of her own unconscious heart.
She knew. In that moments anguish,
that she loved George MILFORD, and that
he was the promised husband of an
other.
Farewell, Lowell Farewell, hope!
Farewell, peaceful home, in which she
found brief deceitful happiness! 1t
seemed, at first, as IL she had said fare
well to life itself, as she lay, white, and
motionless, ut Mrs. Vane's feet
She was such slight girlish crea-
ture that that lady managed to lift her
to the sofa without help. and was bend
ing over her. and sprinkling water on
her white face. when the blue eyes few
open wide again, and consciousness re-
turned.
The pale cheeks grew crimson in
stantly, and she drew her little hands
away and put them over her face.
''Oh, madame, what must you think
of mep" she cried with burst of pas
sionate sorrow. "Oh, I must leave
this placer'
Mrs. Vano's black eyes flashed tri-
umphantly.
II was sure you would see the neces-
sity for that" she said. '.After what
have told you. this is no place for you.
You owe 1t 10 your own self-respeot to
leave Immediately. And to do you
Justice, / must confess that my cousin
has not been Tree from blame. lrve
heard him make you idle fattering
speeches that might we'll turn young
girls head. But it is the way with
men, child. II n girl shows her pref
erence. as you have shown yours. they
will amuse themselves at her expense
even the best of them. l hope you
understand now. that no good could
come of it." ,'..F
Lily had risen from the sofa, trem-
bling violently.
IL did not show my preference uD-
sought" she said with bitterly wound
ed pride. II thought Mr.. Milford too
good, too noble, to trifle with woman,
even though she were only a governess.
He gave me cause to think he cared for
me; yet'-anxious to excuse and screen
him-''yot that may only have been his
kindness, and have deceived myself
1t certainly is SO, since he is engaged
to you. have no wish to reproach
him. only let me go away at once.
Spare mo the pain of meeting him
again-this man whom thought the
very soul of honor, but who, it seems,
could triie with a friendless girl even
while he was vowed to another woman.
Oh. let mo 60 at once!'
Nothing could have suited Mrs.
Vane SO well.
II shall place no restraint upon you,
my DEAR" she said. II see that l can
trust your honor. But where will you
gop" Not that she cared at all, ex-
cept as Il matter of precaution.
ITO London. l have money enough
to live until find another situation"
"And will interest myself to get you
one. You shall find n warm friend in
me, be sure of it You and 1, dear,
have not wronged each other"
And the deceitful woman actually
pressed kiss on the pale cheek of the
girl whose life's happiness she was try
ing to DESTROY.
For Mrs. Vane was in the best of
humors, her plans having succeeded SO
we'll.
Her victim had offered no resistance,
and expressed no doubts.
''And only let me get her out of the
way" she thought, ''he will forget her,
and the field will be clear before me"
So Lily packed her one little trunk,
preparing to leave by the o'clock
train that same evening.
Mr.. Milford said that he should not
be home that night, and the poor girls
one anxiety was to leave without again
seeing him.
So, when her preparations were done,
she stole down the garden to bid the
place where she had dreamed such
happy dreams last goodbye.
1t was yet but three o'clock. As she
stood near the rose-bushes, brushing
away the fast coming tears, Mrs. Vane
joined her hurriedly.
There was look of alarm upon her
face.
miss Deane," she said, .'my cousin
is returning. saw him from my win
dow slowly riding up tho lane. You
must not meet him. You can slip out
by the back way as he enters ut the
front. You can walk to the station-it
Is not more than a mile" ct was
more than two miles, but Mrs. Vane
was not trammeled by any painful rev.
erence for the TRUTH "Here is your
money, and tomorrow will send your
trunk. Will you do this, or'-with q
look of insulting suspicion-.'will you
stay and try to steal from me my hus-
bandP"
The young girls face flushed, and
she threw back her head with proud
GESTURE.
'You insult me, madame" she said
with dignity. II have shown no incli-
nation to do you wrong"
Then she took her wages from her
enemy's hand, and fastened away to
the house, Mrs. Vane following her.
''Hastenr' she cried, as the door-bell