The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-27


Five years had changed the girl-friend he had
left into beautiful woman, whom he was
bound to love, not by promise only, but by keen
appreciation Of her worth, grown now and
ripened even as she herself. And for weeks his
task seemed very easy, while to Agatha, in
creasing knowledge of her betrothed increased
her happiness. OF surety the course of
their love promised to run smooth. Proud Mrs
Orde's air Of dignified graduation over her sons
excellent match grew day by day; the village
grew deeply interested in the coming wedding,
and the bride-elect began to be busy exceedingly
over plans for her wide circle of humble friends
well-doing while she should be away. Jestingly
Godfrey OTde would tell her he grudged the
time she spent in combinations with Aunt
Helen over the many trusts to be left in her
or the rectOrS hands, but the eager confidence
with which she would seek to draw him into her
projects, and her delight in his approval, dis
armed him of any passing chargin and left him
no shadow of excuse for complaint.
They were all Of them certainly very happy
perfectly content. And yet. How cloud
rose on this fair sky none knew exactly Those
who it overshadowed most acknowledged it last
of all For it was so easy, so right of Leonie to
glide into treating her almost brother with the
free winsomeness that kept her childish spite OF
nineteen years. He was of necessity almost as
often her companion as Agatha's. She had been
fond OF him long ago, and-was it not her duty
to be fond of him nowl To what precise depths
this duty led her she didn't stop to measure,
until alasl they were unfathomable
And Godfrey Orde his word and honor
pledged to Agatha felt himself safe to bask,
pleasantly amused, in the animated presence of
her younger sister, never finding out, till Mays
warm weeks were entered, and his wedding
fixed for the first day of June, that he was turn
ing traitor to his troth; that the charm of Leo
MES gay nature was stronger than the sweet
gravity of that to which he owed allegiance.
But not to himself would he allow this possible
at first
81 think, urged his mother, anxiously, one
kxrxho
do think, Godfrey, as Agatha sings no duets
with you you would be wiser to sing fewer with
Leonie.n
'And whyY1 said her son shortly.
We'll, Agatha7-may not like it. Other peo-
pie may-at least, they do notice it
Agatha is entirely above any wretched jeal
ousy,s said Mr. Orde impatientlv.
STILL should be sorry, his motherventured
on, that you should even seem to slight your
wife that will be. People might say you were
serve that. Godfrey"
with or without money, she deserves the best
any human creature can give her, returned
Geoffrey. warmly. Don't fancy I underrate
her. mother And with that Mrs. Orde had to
be satisfied, though the ambiguous speech left
her disquleted.
Still, he meant to be-nay, he vowed he would
be-loyal; and strong in self-trust, went next
day to The Beeches, and found himself listening
for Leonie's step, watching for Leonie's coming.
made infinitely glad by the dangerous hours
music which unsuspecting Agatha pressed on
them while she gave audience to homely guests
That hour he vowed though, should be his
last of dalliance with a temptation that was get
ting too strong Resolutely he would avoid
Leonie henceforth resolutey devote himself to
Agatha And so for days he did, dulling his
own spirit into unutterable aching, bewildering
Agatha, who thought the two had quarreled, and
filling with pain unspeakable the heart that was
just learning its luckless secret
How the child frets over your leavingln said
Aunt Helen, pityingly; and Leonie's sister, gaz
ing at her, white and listless wandering through
the garden, wondered, with sudden fear, was it
for that alone she sorrowedl
A doubt, double barbed, shot through her
mind. Guiltless herself Of falsity in a single
thought, it seemed unworthy, evil treason
able to two she loved. But truth or treason it
must be. Which, for the peace of all, she must
find out
1t wanted only two days of her marriage, and
on the last evening but one her nearest friends
were gathered at The Beeches, all noting APP
provingly the close attendance of Mr.. Orde at
her side.
Once only he left his post, when Leonie, who
had obstinately refused single song, suddenly
yielded and sang, not the gay air that used to
suit her best but the very saddest of her strains,
with tremulous pathos that ended in sob.
Then Godfrey Orde drew slowly towards her,
as if scarce master of his steps, and as the notes
ceased looked down into her fever-bright eyes
with such glance as love of Agatha had never
wakened.
Standing near, with his young hostess. was
the rector, looking ten years older than when
he came to Wynford. People said the place
couldn't suit him.
said he, and waiting vainly for response, saw
to his pain that tears were trembling, too on
his companions dark lashes.
II am-tired said Miss Temple Twill you
tell Aunt Helen to bid all goodnight for me2'
and, turning swiftly away, abruptly left her
guests, of whom one departed soon, sharing, if
not comprehending, the pang that drove her
into solitude
.'She was tiredn-a plea that barred all talk
with Leonie that night, all share in next days
preparations for the festive morrow. Godfrey
Orde, coming, as usual, early, was met by
message only-.sWould he return towards even
ingp And when he did return, for the first
time Agatha descended from her own room and
went for last hour with her lover.
Leonie too restless for all company, wan
dered hither and thither, now flushed, now pale;
betaking herself at last to the small ''study,"
where, with her more than sister, she had
worked and played her way. from childhood up
to now. and thence, with door fast locked, she
watched two figures pace across the lawn intent
on speech so earnest neither turned or noticed
her.
A book was in her hands; what book she
never knew. A rose she had idly plucked fell
from sight the self control, so difficult to her inn
pulsiveness, forsook her utterly Back into the
room she shrapk, covering her face with
sharp cry of pain whispering $50 falsel so false
Ten thousand times have deserved it all. And
yet it is so hardp
While she sat shivering through her trouble,
sunbeams sank into twilight, wood pigeons cooed
forth their slumber songs in boughs without,
and in the gloom she dared at last to weep-for
herself; for him who, worst pang of ALL shared
her great grief; for Agatha. before the very
thought of whom she covered guiltily.
;, But she shall never, never knowt' she cried
through her tears IF only she can go, and
can die why, she need never know
Never know whatlp said soft sad voice
close by; and the next instant Leonie was in her
sisters arms.
20, Agatha" she entreated, striving to get
free let me go! Don't come so kindly to me!
Don't ask me what nneanr
''Wait!n answered Agatha, with a wonderful
calm on her pale face. II can tell you, Leonie,
what it all means. That two Of us have nigh