The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-03-26

tell me the truth"
He looked at her with pitying
kindness How strange it was that
ne had never before noticed how
bright and spirited was her face
how softly brilliant her eyes.
"She is jewel among women" he
said to himself. And it is | that
am doomed to cut her so cruelty to
the heart. feel like the vivisector,
with the knife at the lambs white
throat"
But as he turned over the draw
ings mechanically, other designs fell
out-the very ones that Octavia
Weston bad at different times
given him for birthday and anniver-
sarv gifts-the beautiful drawings
which Octavia had claimed as hsr
own work.
Are these all yours ?" he asked,
abruptly.
Yes" she answered. Let me
have them now. Mr.. Anderton. Mrs.
Sedley needs me at six, to get the
infant class ready for tea"
That evening Octavia Weston
gave her lover the illuminated letter
G that he had seen in Miss Dents
portfolio.
&c is for Gerald she said, arch
ly. See what | have been doing
for you ~
Professor Anderton looked sharp
ly at her.
rs this all your work, Octavia ?"
said he, with a curious sensation, as
though his faith in all the world was
being undermined.
"All mine she answered, and
pouted little.
Professor Anderton observed her
gravely. OF late he had begun to
question himself, now and then.
whether blue eyes and rose leaf
cheeks could meet all the needs OF q
mans existence. And now that
those full, scarlet lips had deliber-
ately uttered a falsehood, the pure
spirit-lOve died out at once, almost
without a pang.
Was it because he loved Olive
Dent? Had one affection supplant-
ed the other? He scarcely dared ask
himself the question.
He was absent and silent all the
evening. Octavia had never found
him so little entertaining, and when
Tat last he went away. she drew a
long sigh of relief.
Now" she said to herself. Il
shall have a chance to talk a little
with poor, dear Algernon. The pro-
fessor grows 'prosier every day, |
think"
And winding her head in fsecy
Shetland scarf, Octavia Weston stole
down into the dewy garden. where a
handsome young man was yawning
in a summer house, with only the
crickets and owls for company.
Sweetest" he cried, Il thought
you never were coming"
"And go did t. said Octavia,
laughingly, releasing herself from
his clasp. IL thought that tiresome
old professor never would 20"
1t was nearly midnight before Oc
tavia Weston crept into the little
room which she shared with Olive
Dent. But, quiet though she was,
Olive heard her
"Octavia,' pleaded the elder girl,
is this right ?"
Dear old Miss Precise, leave off
scolding,' said Octavia, playfully.
"Of course it's right"
You are cold you shiver."
mo, l don't" said Octavia, begin
ming to be impatient.
Does Mrs. Sedley know?" asked
Olive.
"No !" sharply retorted Octavia
"Octavia, are you treating Protes-
sor Anderton right ?" urged Olive,
growing more serious still
Professor Anderton is quite ca
pable of taking care of himself" re-
tort.d the beauty.
"0ctavia." persisted Olive, II be-
lieve it is my duty to consult Mrs.
Sedley as to this new whim of
yours
If you do cried Octavia, IN
elope tomorrow night.
But what shall | do?" pleaded
poor, conscientious Olive.
why, mind your own business,
Of course" said Octavia, silencing
her with a kiss. And now go to
sleep, there's a darling, and don't
preach at me any longer"
But Octavia herself did not 90 to
sleep. For almost the first time in
her life, she lay awake until dawn,
thinking.
For she felt that the turning point
in her life had come at last.