Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-06-25
o. I've noticed il, > said Avis. 81

! s1-7s. I've noticed it, : sald AVIS. ne
seems to be studying me-. ).
ssPerhaps YOU think that ne, TOO, -
s.~,,ci~ with your charms, said Lillian, In
sarcast;c tone at may be very for
inmate for his peace of mind that you are
to 90 away so soon. o.,
asked sydney Cowan, who nao s.roliec
up to the little group just IN time TO near
Lilian's last words.
.sATotbar i talking about leaving on
saturday ;, said Lillian. 1--WE have been
here six weeks. and if we stay much
longer will not have time Ior our annu"i
trip to the Catskils.
There YOU will see grand scenery,
Miss Bentley" said sydney. gu VIII
be in a state of perpetual ecstasy:
II am not going" SAID AVIS; ana
there were tears in the dark eyes ready
to meet his gaze. MY holiday VIII De
over when we leave here
The tremulous voice, and the sight OIL
the tear-filled eyes, moved sydney
Cowan's heart strangely. Had 1t not
been for the presence of Lillian he would
have been tempted to say something very
tender Every day had unfolded new
charms in Avis to him; and ne had
learned TO like her so well and 10 ENJOY
her companionship so much that the idea
of returning to his allegiance to the
beautiful Lillian never entered his MIND
He no longer thought Avis homely; he
hal learned to see the soul which shone
from her dark eyes; he had learned the
worth of her affectionate, generous
heart.
"Do YOU feel inclined for stroll this
morning. Mr.. Cowanln asked Lillian, who
had made up her mind to make the most
of the few days remaining to her, and to
endeavor to regain her lost footing in
his reeard sssI, have not been out walk
ing ina weeksat least"
/ = Let rs go. then, said Sidney You
] win come, too, Miss Bentlyl"
r. ssTthinlk. pokn said Avis, knowing
that her cousin had no desire that she
should make q third in the proposed
ramble. 81 have some reading | want
| to do this morning" "a
81 am sure the walk would do you
good .7'slIroed Sydney; but as she still
i shook her head, he went off with Lillian.
Avis watched them until they disap-
| ueared around the side of the mountain,
| and then ran off to little arbor about a
I Quarter of mile distant, where she knew
! from experience that she would not be
! likely to be disturbed.
| The arbor was well covered with vines,
/ and was cool and secluded Avis made
herself a comfortable seat with shawl,
kand was soon deep in her book.
Is IAN hour passed, and then she was dis
.turbed by the sound of approaching foot
ksteps, and the loud voice of very lively
widow, whose first words arrested the
attention of Avis so completely that she
iAlistened in spite of herself.
+ 9sLast year there were six engagements
made here, / am told; and this year
there has not been one, laughing stri-
| IDENTIFY. But Ishope, for the credit OF
]. the place, that Mr.. Cowan will propose to
that little Miss Bentley before she goes
/ away. He has been devoted enough to
mean niatrimony. heaven knows"
Eyes; but ass happen to know he
don't mean anything of the kind, and
| Avis recognized the slow drawl of little
Voss. ''lll tell you secret--I know
can trust you with it. You see, | call
myself pretty fair Judge of character,
and told Cowan when first came that
Miss Nelson, toawhom he was devoting
himself them was of a fearfuIly jealous
disposition. He wouldn't believe it. and
/ said I'd prove it to him if he would
consent to neglect her a while, and turn
! his attention to some one else. He agreed
to try the experiment. and selected Miss
Bentley as the one to whom he was to
pretend alteration. That is all there is
/ to that y
/ II thought it singular, to say the least,
that man like Sydney Cowan should
take fancy to girl like Miss Bentley, y
said the widow. 'She is so decidedly
plain, and"
The voices died away, and Avis heard
no more. But she heard enough to make
her more wretched than she had ever
been before. For some time she sat
staring before her as if paralyzed; then
suddenly she threw herself on the floor
of the anbor, and, burying her face in
the shawl, burst into perfect passion of
sobs and tears.
II wish had not come here; / wish
had never seen him, she moaned, when
at last she gaew little calmer
''Why do you wish that, Avis2'' asked
voice close beside her. and, springing
to her feet, she confronted Sydney Cowan,
who had come to the arbor in search of
her, knowing well what fayorite resort
of hers it was.
s'D0n not speak to me, she said. 'Let
me pass, Mr.. Cowan," as he barred her
way with his tall figure. IL hate you'll
Startled and amazed SSr7nav Goxrar