The Penn's Grove record., 1885-02-14

him bghis name, but he did not heed it.
81 was blind then, but now my eyes
are opened. Lydia, my poor child, can
you forgive me P'
81 do not understand" she returned
coldly.
81 might have known-I might have
known" he continued YEARLY, passing
his hand across his forehead as though
in pain but it is too late now for re-
pentance or for regret. l VIII do all |
can for you-perhapsl ought TO 60 away
for a time.n
eco away?" echoed Lydia, looking
half stunned, and pressing her hands
tightly together.
He did not see the panied look in her
eyes. nor the pallor that vas creeping
slowly over her face even to her lips.
He resumed.
Eyes, 1t is better l should go, and
you might visit your mother for a time,
until-until-"
Yes, yes, let me go home Oh,
mother, mother p And Lydia burst
into a wild tit of weeping, swaying TO
and fro in an agony of grief.
Lord Sands walked up and down I'M
easily, watching her furtively.
Poor child | Poor child - he muir
INJURED tenderly, with q world of pity
in his voice but he did not 60 to her
nor attempt to comfort her. 4 did
not think you had suffered so much,
Lydia"
But she did not answer, except to i'm
plore him to leave her ; and, when at
last he was gone, she sunk down on a
pile of soft velvet cushions, and sobbed
bitterly in the anguish of conflicting
emotions. Perhaps he loved some one
else, and regretted the bond that held
him to her /; or perhaps she, in her anx-
iety not to overstep the barrier between
them, had been too cold, and less than
friendly.
ut is my fault, she murmured with
a pang of s~elf-reproach. perhaps /
can make thlngs right " now"
She dried her eyes, and sat dreaming
and planning on the hearth-rug by the
fire, until the dressing-bell rang, Then
she ran upstairs, singing To herself in
the light-heartedness of renewed hope.
Lord Sands, pacing restlessly from
OilO Gnu VI hho otud1 W buO OtuCli hChlu
her.
Perhaps | have thought too much of
It,, " he SAID to himself. after all, she
is only a child, knowing nothing of love
or g%rief.n
But Lydia drove her maid nearly mad
that night, with her caprices. Not a
dress that was brought out would suit
her. One was too bright, another too
dark, another was u~nbecoming, and all
were unsuitable.
81 want the prettiest dress | have,''
She cried impatiently, and presently she
was suited.
"Milady, what a pity there is no one
to see you - said the admirlng maid.
at is superb -
Lydia laughed dellghtediy.
ut is nice" she said, strokIng her
self down softly, and then she went
downstairs.
AS she entered the drawing-room,
neither Lord Sands nor her sister could
resist an exclamation.
"Lydia-how lovely p cried May.
"Do you like my dress, Keith ?" she
asked, going towards him, and looking
up aC MIN Win a nalI smile.
He took her hands i'll his for the space
of II second, and then dropped them
hastily.
"You are perfection, " he answered
gravelv.
But my dress'-anxiously,
us very beautiful-but a little toe
much perhaps for just ourselves"
He did not mean to hurt her; but his
eyes were so full of her wondrous sweet
ness that he dared not trust himself to
speak in praise of her.
She blushed hotly, thinking he had
read her motive, and turned away tC
speak to May, whose simple dress OF
white silk and black velvet seemed to
make her own appear gaudy, and al
most theatrical by contrast. After din
ner Lydia sat by the piano, with hel
fingers strayIng idly over the keys in
snatclies of melody, while May settled
herself at the farther end OF the room
to write letters undiSturbed.
Presently Lord Sands joined them
and. after wandering aimlessly about
the room for some time, at last sat dowI
beside Lydia.
| Dllk " lit. ITO NhlCBCtCu oOlllf
and she complied, choosing in her haste
the passionate complaint of Guinevere
He moved his chair back with a SHARP
Jerk, as these words rang out in hel
clear young voice with almost uncon
scious fervor; and she stopped singing
and turned round.
"What is it, Lord Sands ? Do yoI
not like my song ?" she asked in sur
prise.
cit was a strange song for you to sing
on my last evening with you," he an
swered in a strange harsh voice
Keith, must you go?"
''Let US forget all that has been said
to-day be once more as you were-ml
dear friend, my brother. Do not leave
me-"
She had half risen from her seat hel
hands were clasped tightly together anC
her face was raised ~pleadingly to his
| Had he read the story In her eyes hi
answeo would probably have been diff
| Ierent /; but his head vas turned away
and his lids were fixed and stern as hi
answered her.
sit is impossible-:mpossible You
do not-eannot know -
She rose with flashing eyes.
81 do know, and understand at last
PRAY make no apologies, Lord Sands >
and she swept away from him angrily
In the morning she came down palt
and composed, and her woman's pride
gave her. strenLh to say goodbye with
a smiling face, when Lord Sands left
that day for London en- route for italy