The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1885-11-13
N1aud Livingston.
AUTHOR OF AT TER LONG YEARS, "DoN'T
CO" yGKE OF GOLD" ETC.
CHAPTER I.
TIE MEETING ON THE HILLS.

"azinG ut stretch of Wild picturesque
Cumberland scenery of moor, mountain
and fell, that lay out before him.
The climbers eyes, however, were not
now fixed on the scenery, but upon a
lose-covered cottage, thatch-roofed and
lattice-willdowed, that stood some yards
back from The lake. Taxing off his hat,
he waved it above bis head Instantly u
girllsh form appeared at the cottage
doc, waving handkerchief in response;
then she came forward, and the climber,
bright and happy, fastened his descent
to meet her. '':
4 minute later, after fondly embrace
ing her, taking her arm in his, they
We're walking to the cottage aI
So L haven't kept tea waiting, have I 2"
he asfed
Not quite half an hour" she
laughed.
''Then deserve to be received with
frown instead of smiles, and 1 should
have been if you were not the best of
little wives
'And you, Maurice, tho best of
husbands. was the rejoinder. ooh, 1
didn't mind the tea being kept at all,
but grew lervons lest You should have
to cross the fslls at II late hour. l fear a
storm
'There's no chance Of that, Laure. I
met a shepherd ON the hills, and he
told ne so
"And mast you reach Keswicl1 to-
night. Maurice 7" she inquired
Indeed, dear, must; in fac, 1
ought to have gone yesterday. I know
letters will be waiting for me. necessitat-
ing my return to Manchester
The girl (she was scarcely twenty
sighed.
why do you sigh, dear 2" he in.
,quired, putting his arms tenderly around
her. g Are you not happy?"
Happy, Maurice? Very. How could
1 be otherwise 2" was the quick response.
g 1t WAS nothing needed
''Pcrsons rarely sigh for nothing, he
smiled. Then more gravely "Laure,
tell me truly, are there moments during
my absence when you are sad and
duil:'
Dull, yes. little" she replied, with
an effort at gnie'y. 1T would be
strange if there were not, dear, With
YOU absent"
"And never sad ?"
''Maulice, dear?' she said, "you are
so good and kind that it is ungratefnl of
me to be other than always happy, I
know, yet there are times when sadness
will come. It has but one cause the
desire that or marriage should be made
known and yet for your sake L cannot
wish for hat time to come"
"Nor I, my love, though quite ready
shall be to confess it, Laure, wait
patiently" he proceeded, drawing her
to him, g [ fancy the time is not far
distant, though you would not blame
me If l would not have it shortened by
Il second.
BLAINE you, Maurice !" and she
rested her golden head on his breast
"How could I, when that second would
be taken from fathers life p
And few, vecy few has he to spare"
replied her husband, gravely. Il would
not have hcsitated to own our marriage,
but that the doctors declared any ex-
citement would be fatal. Besides his
brain is in that state of angry irritability
that he would hear no reason, no argu-
ment. He would not only disinherit,
but would curse me, too, for having"
"For having" put i'll the wife, "wed-
ded one SO far beneath you. All, Maurice,
know it! You who have sacrificed so
much for me, am to sacrifice nothing
for You ?"
81 ask it only for time dear. I
know how angry my father would be !;
but, putting that aside l would not
cause him trouble, or break the affec-
ton that binds, during the very few
months OF life that remain to him."
Il would not ash it. Maurice No !;
not even my own family shall know
until you please"
Maurice Northcott started slightly.
Il should have no objection to your
sister knowing, but it is your brother
Arnold, and you know his nature,
Laure. Were he aware that 1 had
married you in secret, and kept you
here i'll hiding, he would proclaim it to
the world"
"You are right" cried the wife
quickly. 81 would not have Arnold
know. Maurice, he dislikes you; and I
fear, if he could, would harm you,
though I should suffer Also"
"Then, love, let us be content to
wait awhile longer as we are" he
smiled.