The Penn's Grove record., 1885-10-17

dNulCDCO ~ hOhhCAJ boOobos
That hour he vowed, though should
be his last of dalliance with a tempta-
ton that was getting too strong. Reso-
lutely he would avoid Leonie hence
forth, resolutely devote himself to
Agatha, And so for lays he did, dull
ing his own spirit into unutterable
aching. b~ewildering Agatha, who
thought the two had quarreled, and
| filling up with pain unspeakable, the
heart that was just learning its luckless
secret.
"How the child frets over your leav-
ingl' said Aunt Helen, pityipgly; and
Leonie's sister, gazing at her, white
and ~listless, wandering through the
garden, wondered, with a sudden fear,
was it for that alone she sorrowed.
A doubt, double. barbed, shot through
her mind. Guiltless herself of falslty
in a single thought, ii seemed unworthy
evil, reasonable 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 mar
riage, and on the last evening but n
her nearest friends were gathered at
the Beeches, all noticing approv1ngly
the close attendance of Mr.. Orde at her
side
Once only he left his post, when Le-
onie, who had obstinately refused a
single song, suddenly yielded and sang,
not the gay air that used to suit her
best, but the very safdest OF her strains
with a tremulous pathos that ended in
a sob. Then Godfrey Orde drew slowly
towards her, as IL scarce master of his
steps, and, as the notes ceased, looked
down into her fever-bright eyes with
such a glance of love as Agatha had
never awakened.
Standing near with his young hostess
was the rector, looking ten years older
than when he came to Wynford. Peo-
pie said the place couldn't suit him.
"Your sister sings with tears in her
voice." said he, and, waiting vainly for
response, saw to his pain that tears
we're trembling too, OIL his companIon's
dark lashes.
81 am-tlred," said Miss Temple.
"Win you tell Aunt Helen to bid all
good night for mep" and, turning swift
ly away, abruptly left her guests, of
whom one departed soon, sharing, if
not compromising, the pang that drew
her into solitude.
"She was tired"-a plea that barred
all talk with Leonie that night, all
share in next days preparations for the
festive tomorrow. GeoffIey Orde,
coming as usual, early, was met by a
message only -"Would he return
towards EVENING"" And when he did
return, for the first time Agatha de-
scended from her own aud went
for q Iaot hNI1r with har t0Var
Leone too restless for all company,
wandered hither and thither; now flush
ed, 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 ros she had idly
plucked fell to the ground uncared for
As the two passed from sight, the self
control. so difficult to her impulsive-
ness, forsook her utterly. Back into
the room she shrank, covering her face
with a sharp cry OF pain, whispering,
$50 falseI so falsel Ten thousand times
l havd deserved it all. And yet it is so
hardtp
While she sat shivering through her
troubles, sunbeams sank into twilight
wood pigeons cooed from 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, be-
fore the very thought of whom she
covered guilty.
"But she shall never, never knewf"
she cried, through her tears. "If only
she can go and | can die why, she need
never know"
"Never know whatp" said a soft, sad
voice close by her; and the next instant
Leonie was in her sisters arms.
30, Agatha" she e~ntreated, striving
to get free, s'let me gol Don't come
50 kindly to mel Don't ask me what |
meanl'
"Waitl" answered Agatha, with a
wonderful calm on her pale face. 81
can tell you, Leonie, what it all means
That two of US have nigh made a mis-
take, but have found 1t out In time. 1
was slow to see 1t, LonO, but l know it
now. / have no right to Geoffrey. He
loves you best"
"Agathai"-
"Hushl He belongs to you, not me.
1t has been a tangled skeln for US, but
this is the only right way out of 1t; and
Godfrey sees that it Is So"
"But Agatha, urged Leone, trem-
bling between exceeding pain and mar
vellous Joy, The has never said''-
"a word. know he has not. Both
of you meant to be faithful to me.
Perhaps"-with a wistfal faltering in
her voice-''it vas my fault he could
not be. There darling, therel"-as
Leonie wept ~passionately on her bosom
-siet Godfrey come to your this step
was sounding on the path outside),
land thank God for all of US, this hour
is not too latei'
How this extraordinary news was re-
ceived, by poor, disappointed Mrs. Or
de, by the whole startled parish, VI
must leave to our readers imaginations.
Long before the ferment of excitement
had subsidized, a quiet marriage had
taken place-so Agatha had willed it
and all yielded to her-and with his
bride, mot portionless, as, to his con-
trite surprise and his mothers comfort.
he d~iscovered) Godfrey Orde was speed
ing away to the far east.
Till the hubbub of discussion was
past. Agatha Temple deserted The
Beeches, and, returning after weeks of
absence, brought back in her brave
serenity, scarce q trace Of the trial that
had driven her away.
"Leenie is happyl" she says, and al
lows no n to blame her sister In her
hearing.
Perchance her home. her people make
up TO her what she lost. Perchance
the very power to renounce what she
did, wakens mlstrust as to her fitness
ver to have filled the state she missed.
Or perchance land this way run many
wishes), 1t may he dawning on her, that
womanhood's fair crown Is yet waiting,
IL she will but wear; it that In her hands
lies all the happiness of a man who has
loved her from the first moment he saw
her. and that the sure response stirring