The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-07-12

Il can guess why you refused me a
| glance at the picture in the locket ??
Noel pursued, not calmly now. His
voice was passionate, his countenance
| curlousiy eager aud imperious. He
| was obviously regardless of Mr.. Roland
OF me, of everything except sweet
lrlxy, who was pale as snow and mute
| as stone : Can guess whose portal,
IL is; and L will see it-you shall not
prevent me" he added, with an abrupt
| effort at playfulness, as he bent
toward her and put half hesitatinp
hand upon jeweled locket that dangled
rom rich chain, that had become
somehow loosened from her lovely neck
AS he touched the ornament, the case
sprung open and the miniature WAS re.
vealed to his quick and exultant glance
out at the same moment Trixy had
started back from him in a scared and
angry way, and turned hastily to leave
him.
what next happened was all over in
an instant. AS Trixy, half blind with
tears OF confusion, turned swiftly, she
struck with violence against tall old
cabinet, that, like everything else in the
ancient house, was rather fragile and
shaky. There was a dull, rafting
sound; the lofty mahogany obstruction
swayed forward with clnk of break.
ing vases and thud of falling books
and then Trixy with plaintive little
ejaculation, reeled back as if fainting.
There was blood on her fair hands, and
ruddy drops were trickling all down her
| ashy face; and atoms of the murderous
glass glistened like diamond dust in the
| dlsheveled masses of her black hair.
AS Noel with great cry caught her
III his arms, sprang to nay feet, utter
| ing L know not what inanities in nv ag-
itation and alarm.
My poor little love, my fault has
done all this" Noel was murmuring in
tenderest contrition, as Mr.. Roland and
l hurried across the parlor, Il was cruel
to force your sweet, sorrowful secret
from you, my dearest one. knew well
enough that you loved me-that the
picture was mine you wore always over
your brave little heart"
Just then he lifted his excited face
and agonized eyes, becoming more
heedful of my nearness.
Il cannot help it, Rhoda," he said
almost piteously, and yet the least bit
defantly, too.
at does not matter" I answered him
very practically, indeed. my anxiety
just now is for our darling and for her
good and content" continued with a
meaning he did not misinterpret; 81
yield everything now and always. You
may be sure of that, Noel"
My sister softly kissed me as I drew
her poor wounded head upon my lap
and sent Noel for the surgical assist
ance that was not so badly needed, af-
ter all.
And later, when Trixy was quite her
self again, / took occasion to convince
her that I did not feel SO wronged and
disconsolate as she might presume.
But how can you really love him
so very much, Trixy?" L queried, slyly
you, who have always maintained
such exalted notions about eternal con
stancy and all that"
II suppose that one cannot condemn
the Inconsistency that is for ones own
sake" she replied rather vaguely.
But you have one lover, Rhoda, who
is certainly changeless. Mr.. Rolands
faithful and patient devotion would
gain your affection some time, 1 should
think"
at did-a long time ago." confess
ed, feeling guilty; for, like the small
Pharisee fear was-I had inclined
to severity against Noel's faithlessness
even when my own heart to him was
untrue.
And just then Ernest Roland, my
true love, and my best beloved, came
to me with such pronounced aspect OF
happy proprietorship that Trixy smiled
in roguish delight.
1There is always compensation for
every i'll" she whispered mischievously
"and yours is treasure"