Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-07-25

absurd as it seems-if there could have
been ANYTHING between you and Robin
"No, on, mol" cried Meta, vehemently
GLOW could you think SO, mamma, when
he has-neveT@
"She stopped, afraid of her own voice
What was she going to do? To falter and
break down before her mother-to be.
trav the weakness that had robbed her
pirihood of its brightness, and that. in
stead of being conquered, as she had be-
lieved, seemed ready to overwhelm her
now with a sudden, despairing shame?
She paused moment, steadying herself
against the garden seat, and then she
said. with nervous little laugh:
SLOW could you be so absurd, mamma?
I should have thought you knew me bet
ter than that"
The two women were both too much
excited to notice outside things. It came
upon them both with little shock when
q page appeared before them and an
nounced that Lord Castleman was in the
drawing room.
Il will come" said Lady Mary, ner-
vously, and she then looked at her
daughter.
"My dear, what shall I say? You will
not sacrifice your ospects-your happi-
"My happiness is not in question, nam.
ma" said Meta, proudly. you can send
Lord Castleman to me-"
Lady Mary did not venture to ask any
more. She kissed her daughter, and
went off to her guest, rejoicing. Meta
would not have sent for him only to re-
ject him, which the daisies had suggest
ed, if Lady Mary did not believe her
daughters protestations as entirely as
Meta would have wished, she believed
in the healing power of time and the
evanescent nature of human emotions,
with fullness of conviction that Meta
herself would probably never attain to.
She turned for moment, and looked at
the girls Whitehead figure with tender
material pride, and then she went on to
the house and into the drawing room,
glowing with satisfaction and goodwill.
Lord Castleman was standing by the
table with face that was becomingly
anxious and grave, but be flushed into
eager anticipation as Lady Mary came
into the room.
"You bring me good tidings," he cried,
joyfully. 81 see it in you eyes,"
''She will see you," said Lady Mary,
beaming with smiles. "You will find her
in her favorite corner by the conserva-
tories"
He pressed her hand and went. seeing
everything a little mistily through the
sudden dazzle of new hope, but pleading
his cause with as much humility as
though he had not Just seen Lady Mary,
and drawn his own deductions from the
encouraging interview.
And Meta sat with downcast eyes, and
to his tale in a silence he felt to
be still more encouraging; but when he
would have taken her hand, she drew it
back.
"Wait," she said; "there is something I
should like to show you first"
She took from her peck ct a faded leath-
er case, and opened it with fingers that
little in spite of her efforts to
keep them still. Inside we're the Christ
mas cards with the pretty frosted daisies
and the robins that used to be 80 seldom
absent from Christmas cards, but that
had perhaps special reference in these,
and with them letter that was little
frayed about the edgesnow.
Lord Castleman stared, as he might
perhaps be excused for doing.
"What are these?" he said. pardon
mel don't understand"
ut was very foolish-and it was all |
five years ago." faltered Meta; "but
thought you ought to know"
He understood now, and his brow |
lowered ominously. He was all Lady |
Mary had called him-he was well-born
and distinguished, polished gentleman
and an upright man, but he was not
The confession that Meta
had made. with a pain he could not even
moved him to no generous
sympathy;It only wounded his vanity
and stung his pride. He took the cards
and the letter from her and tore them
into hundred pieces, and then he turn
ed upon his heel.
"Miss Hazelwood, l have the honor to
wish you good morning." he said, with
! stiff little bow. II appreciate your
;andor, but you will understand that
Castleman does not care to be second to
my other man."
He went away with his head in the
lir, knocking over his chair in his agita-
ion, and Meta was conscious of q very
AOOAiuS Va AClACAs IL P106cC AC1 |
mother, and to save her own pride, she
lad brought herself to think she might
Iccept Lord Csstleman, but the sense of
elief showed her how great an escape
he had had. How long she sat where
le had left her she never quite knew.
Her eyes were on the scattered fragments
hat were all that remained of her girl
lood's dream, and as she sat and unused
Ter face was grave and sad-but it was a
adness in which Lord Castleman had
leither part nor lot.
The opening of the garden door
oused her at last. And then-for life is ,
ONE times kinder to US than our deserts
n our imaginings-she lifted her eyes,
nd saw some one coming up the walk !;
ONE one whose coming her own pride ,
lad gone near to making curse instead
t blessing. For the some one was !;
Goblin Lindsay, come at last to explain .
lis long absence and the untoward for :
une that had till now made it impossi-
lie for him to come and ask for the Mar
aret who was still to him "the one ,
over in the world"
KANSAS CHURCHES.
Items Cf Interest Concerning Them.
The Holiness meetings held at Law
ence attract large crowds. :,
l