The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-07-25

cousin, he said, turning to the other lady
But when Miss Clay's familiar features
met his eyes, he asked
aWhere is Mabel, have you left her be
hind"
s'Don't you know me, Cousin Chaun-
cey ?" asked merry voice beside him, and
the beautiful apparition he had mistaken
for stranger put out her gloved hand In
half-playful. half-friendly way.
From that time the young students tor
ture commenced.
Mabel, who had left home a half-grown
girl had gained with maturity the rounded
suppleness of form as well as the queenly
dignity of young Diana; and with the
rich color, which had chased away the
palIor of her cheeks, had come that delic-
ious, delicate complexion so rarely seer
with dark hair.
An older and more experienced judge OF
beauty would, years before, have seen Its
promise in those regular features, and
straight, though at that time, angular out
lines-but to her adopted cousin it was q
surprise.
He looked upon it as upon a miracle
and every new glimpse of her bewitchine
face served but to deepen the impression.
But Mabel had changed in other thing:
beside beauty. She was incomprehensible
to him in her varied moods.
| Now grave-now gay-now majestic as
princess-now gentle and simple as 9
child.
Chauncey knew not what to make ol
her. But he was fully conscious of one
truth; that he loved the very ground hel
tiny feet had pressed. He was her shadow
At last he grew desperate.
She should not thus hold him aloof and
play with his feelings any longer. Itmight
be amusement to her, but it was making
his life torture.
So he captured her in the library one
morning, before the rest of the family had
made their appearance, and pressed his suit
with an earnestness which would have
moved heart of stone.
But to all appearance it had no effect
upon Mabel. She answered with care
less smile:
'.In house, like this, where 'one ol
more doesn't matter, it would be well fol
you to think twice before offering yoursel
to me-" and she swept from the room, leav
ing Chauncey lost in maze of bewilder
ment and anger.
Her debt was paid ? But was Mabe
happy? 1t was hard to tell from her ap
pearance in society.
Chauncey made no attempt at reconcilia
ton; and the two young hearts daily drifted
farther apart, until one day it happened
that the same spirit stirred within then
both-a longing for walk in the garden
Winter had passed, and summer haC
come, and SO had the flowers.
They met beside the same luxuriantly
laden bushes from which Mabel had carried
the clusters to her sick mother.
Their eyes met involuntarily. In spite
of his wounded pride, Chauncey's wild love
sprang into renewed life, and he held ou
his arm entreatingly.
20, Mabel, forgive me! [ was but ;
careless, thoughtless boy. 1t is the maj
who now appreciates you, and loves yol
better than his own life"
Another moment and Mabel's queenly
head was resting on his breast.
at was because loved you even ther
that your words had power to sting me 81
cruelty. They rankled all through tn,
years that followed them. But the pain i
gone now"
So amid the flowers was told anothe
one of those stories as old as the first love
tale in Eden, and yet as young as the morn
ing which ushers in a new day.