Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-08-06

comfort now, Bell, but time heals the
sorest wounds. ! regret to leave you,
but my regiment goes abroad to-mor-
row. Good-by. One day / hope to
meet you againl"
But in all the dreary years that fol-
lowed had heard no word from him.
"You remember him, of COURSE" con-
tinued my handsome cousin; "he used
to be at the Hall great deal in your
fathers time. Well, we met him last
night. He's been here week; and he's
millionaire, Bell. You know old
Carruthers, of Carruthers Place? Well,
he is dead, and the Captain inherits the
fortune, you see. So don't forget the
heliotrope. / know it is not becoming
purple suits my creole complexion
least-but / remember what fancy
Carruthers always had for heliotrope,
and he's worth pleasing, you know"
Aunt Edmonton laughed as she rose
and shook out her lace founces.
"Wear the heliotrope by oil means (;
but you need not feel bit anxious.
You secured the Captain and his for
tune last night; that rose silk and the
diamonds did the business. never
saw man more infatuated. Well, he's
good match. I've not word to say
against it; no better family than he
comes of, and Carruthers Place is u
grand old home. All. there is his car
riage below now; I'll go down until you
are ready. Do make haste, Bell. And I
wish you would be obliging enough to
do up Rites hair this evening; you are
so much more skilful than Felice. And
look over her jewels, please; / think
that pearl and opal set will match her
dress perfectly"
I hurried down to the greenhouse.
Heartache was no new sensation, but
somehow my pain seemed intolerable
as / made my way down the dim aisle,
the gorgeous tropical blossoms sitting
me with their rank odors.
forgot Rites flowers, forgot her
waiting toilet, forgot everything but
my own suffering. An aloe tree in full
blossom, standing alone like some
weird necromancer, caught my eye, and
Isank down ut its roots, and burst into
tears. 1 seemed to see papa's grave,
covered with yellow autumn leaves.
heard the wash of the waves, the MUIR
muir of the pine trees. The hustle of
the gaslit streets drove me to frenzy.
"This life is killing me; must go
home to the old hall and papa's grave"
A hand touched my arm as the words
broke from my lips.
II beg your pardon, madam; you
seem in distress. Can 1 help-good
heaven, Bell is it your"
Captain Carruthersl"
/ leaped to my feet, and we stood
face to face. He was bronzed and
bearded, but the frank, kind eyes were
uncnauBeu. "A wIIu ImpGIse seIzeu me-
to clasp his hands and tell him how
lonely and friendless was; but wom-
ans pride, stronger even than her love,
stified the desire at its very birth. 1
bowed coid,y
"Why, Bell, you haven't changed,
only you look wan and sad. 1 am so
glad to meet you. 1 have written again
and again, until fancied you were dead.
How is it that / find you in Paris ?"
"No matter; bid you good evening,
Captain Carruthers."
The glad, kind, handsome eyes Wild
ened with wonder as darted away.
Dear me, Bell. / thought you'd never
come. didn't like to keep Carruthers
waiting. Gracious goodness where
are the fowers?"
Il didn't get them, and I can't dress
you, Marguerite. I am going to my
room"
"Why, what is the matter? Are you
ill?"
- ~----o- A. .oa,
on the following day my aunt sum-
moned me to her presence.
you need not read to-day, Bell; I
want to talk to you. You met Captain
Carruthers in the greenhouse last
night?"
"Yes, by accident"
Aunt Edmonton toyed with the tas-
sells of her morning robe, and for the
first time, to my knowledge, showed
signs OF embarrassment.
"By accident, of course. I didn't
suppose you mistook my meaning, my
dear. He's fine, handsome fellow,
and he and Rite are well matched:
don't you think SO? Well, my dear,
his coming changes our plans in |
measure. We may remain here for the |
winter; and your health seems to be |
failing, and you don't like Paris, Bell.
and 1 thought perhaps"
"You thought you would send me |
home, Aunt Edmonton. Pray do; 1 |
meant to ask permission to go this very |
day-I'm dreadfully homesick."
She laughed genially, and, crossing
the room, kissed me with more kind |
ness than she had ever shown.
"Then you shall have permission, my
lear. Mrs. Montague, an old friend
of mine, leaves Paris tonight, and you
shall go under her charge"
L went, leaving giddy Paris behind
me with feeling OF relief.
But when / reached the old home.
now desolate it was. Winter came, and
he white snow filed the hollows and
,rowned the hills. Letters from Aunt
Edmonton informed me that they were
n Rome, with Captain Carruthers as
escort, and limited at a great wedding
when spring came. Did 1 care? What
vas Captain Carruthers to me? Nv
ather's friend, and must always re-
,ard him with gratitude; and Mar
suerite would make him q stately, beau
iful bride. l wished them much ioy.
let through all the winter DAYS and
lights my heartache never ceased or
Ibated.
Spring came, and the skies grew soft
nd tender. The SHOWS melted, leaving
he hills green and the sunny hollows
weet with violets. One March morn
ng 1 went out to rake the hower-beds.
The hyacinths and buttercups were
lready above the mold, and here and
here green tulip leaf could be seen.