Smyrna times., 1885-02-25

was n very amlable woman but still
Eveline y as agreeably surprised at the
kindness of her reception She had been
to many houses on the same errand be-
FORE but nowhere had she been treated
with such consideratiO J..
She was at North Lodge for several
days, worlin away as if fe had depend
ed on it, and, as she worked, her
thoughts were of the handsome stranger
who had rescued her from the brutality
of the tramp.
Once Ralph came up the carriage
drive, and, peering from the window,
she looked at his frank face and stalwart
figure with a queer little ache at her
heart.
He was making a call on the ladies Of
the house, and, no doubt was lover Of
an accepted LIVER of of Mrs.
Thursby's daughters, those graceful,
fair-haired ladies who were 50 dignifed
in their grief at the loss of their father.
She felt relieved when her business
was over, and she stood waiting i'll the
little railway station for the train that
was to carry her to London There is
no place under tn sun more depre 5sing
than country railway station, and our
little heroine had repeatedly glanced ut
the clock when tall form darkened the
doorway, and sie looked up tosee Ralph
Vernon standing before her.
so you are going back to town, he
said, shaking hands ith her as if they
had been old fri-nds. L thought 1
would like to come and say good-by."
GLOW did you kno y" she asked in
surprise.
"Oh, Grace Thur@b5 told me" he
answered, careles sly ''she is one of the
best girls in the wo ID
She seems very nice to her interiors, g"
observed Eveline, lit e bitterly. Il
can imagine how charmi g she can to
her equals
"Who is her inferior: asked Raph
Vernon, quickly. e Not You. by Jove I!
She was saying to me that you were a
perfect lady"
Very kind of her, am sure. said
Eveline, haughtily; "only l am at a
loss to understand how such discovery
came about
There, now, 1 have offended you. "
said Ralph, contrItely; but am such
clumsy fellow"
"Not at all, " returned Eveine, hus
kily. "It is very kind Of your af1iauc4d
wife to take such an interest i'll me.
"OIy aflianced wife," he said, It'll q
hearty laugh. Il should like my
brother John to hear you say that H
was very close to her now, as they say
on the hard bench. Don't you know
that fell desperately in love with you
that night when rescued you from the
tramp-at least, think did, although
it was not till sav you peep Mt me
through the window that knew how
exquisitely pretty you we're? Be IN,
wife, and let me take care of You no
only on dark nights, but al your life.
But Eveline shook her head, fer, al
though her heart prompted her to 81,
yes, she felt that she had no right t,
accept the sacrifice her impulsive an,
hOt-headed lovrr was willing to make fo
her sake.
"It cannot be, ;" she said, mOurnfully
cit is a mad, Quixotic idea I know
from what I have heard Mrs. Thursb
say, that you are wealthy"
Hang the money :" exclaimed Ralp
"If you don't say yes, IIl-IIl go lio
hunting i'll Afr lea, and get torn to piece
by wild animals"
But even this terrible threat had n
effec. upon Ev line; she was firm in he
determination to do + ght at ary cost
she would not even tell him where sh
lived. And 50 they parted at the littl
railway station, and Eveliue went bac
to London with less co or in her cheek
than when she had left it, and strung
gloomy look in her beautiful eyes.
1T is all for t e best, she thought
but life had never been SO hard to bea
The girl was brave -very-brave an
wanted to do right but the struggle b.
tween love and duty sapped her strength
: and laid her on bed of sickness, frol
which it seemed she would never rise.
During her illness size as continual
r calling upon Ralph Vernon, in sue
piteous accents that it drew tears fro
the eyes of those who heard the poo
, weak voice.
" Mother, I'm going to telegraph f
this Mr.. Vernon, said Eveline's sistl
r Nellie "It is dreadful to look at h,
. white face and giittering eyes, and
? hear her calling upon his name fro
morning to night" But who is til
= Mr.. Vernon ?" asked the poor mothe
Q helplessly.
8 II don't know" said Nellie; "bJ
] found card with his name and a
dress on it, and l intend to send for hiT
1t must be some one she cares for, al
l don't mean to let her die if anythil
can save her"
"But perhaps he won't care to com,
said the mother, with the prudence
i age and experience.
3 "Then he can stay away" return
Nellie, her eyes wet with tears; al
there was n look of pain in her swe
= countenance, for her mother might
right, and what would become of pO
l. Eveline if there should be no answer
. the telegram
, The next two hours were anxious on
= for Nell.
}. She stood up breathless with Gag
"a ness when someone knocked softly
Ia the door, In another moment Raj
q Vernon was in the room, and had grai
Is ed her by the hand as if she had been
ia old friend instead of a stranger.
,e "Is she-?" he could not finish
re sentence for he feared the worst.
20 "She still lives" returned Nell
d and, taking him by the hand, Evelin
sister led Ralph into the next ro'
in where the poor girl lay.
Her mother was lneeling at the 81
Y. of the bed. but rose instantly q