The Portland daily press., 1885-07-25

Il hope am not de ltrop," she said calmly,
settling her muslin skirts, but | thought
JUS vsice sounded somewhat cross, and
am come to make peace.
More likely to create dlscord, sad I'M
patiently Guy looked up quickly and then
murmured something about the golden apple.
"Do remember Paris and the applet"
asked Ismay, looking straight into ms eyes.
III had been there, think it would have
peen given to me-" was accustomed to
hear such remarks as those every day. and |
only laughed; but Guy had not seen much
OF lsmay during the last twelve months, and
ne stared with aStonishment at the audaclous
beauty. She returned his gaze for few sec
onds, and then cast down her eyes. Ihat
was only acting. Whatever Ismay was, she
was not shy.
tried to talk to Guy as did when we
were alone. Then | used to chatter by the
hour together, rigmarole he used to call tia
one-slded conversation on every imaginable
toplc winch knew interested and amused
him, although he rarely spoke, but was quite
content to listen in silence But | felt some
how constrained with that graceful, white
Inquire before my eyes, and when looked at
Guy he was looking at Ismay, and had ap-
parently forgotten me. / rose to my feet alb
"Where is Juliet going?" asked Ismay of
Guy He raised his eyes languidly.
Are you tired of the riVer?'
Yes" and turned to go. He rose also.
Aren't you coming, Ismay?'.
NO, and I'm yeXed with you for leaving
me. It's nearly year since I've seen any
thing of you, and | wanted to hear all your
news, where you've been and what you've
the bank and he stood irresolutely beside
her.
There's really no reason why you should
dog my footsteps" l said, magnanimously !;
pray tell Ismay everything worth telling !;
And home | went and all the way Won
dered what those two were talking about,
and mentally scolded myself for an unreason-
able feeling of grief which had stolen into
my heart on that summers day.
The same evening after dinner | went and
sat alone upon the stone balustrade overlook
ing the tennis ground. was alone for what
seemed to me very long time. The rosy
afterglow melted into hue, gray sky; the
moon launched her silver boat, and here and
there star tiickered in the heavens. The
corncrake was busy in the hayfelds, and the
scent OF the roses and honeysuckle on the
veranda stole through the soft air.
think | looked nice that night; notabeau-
tiful-I could never be that, but as pretty as
most girls. l wore white frock and a
pearl necklace, and my fair hair was twisted
into heavy loop. Guys voice reused Inc
from my reverie.
You look exactly like Ellen Terry as you
sit there Look up at me-" He placed his
hands on my shoulders and looked into his
eyes. He laughed and sat down beside me.
"You have queer expression in your eyes
tonight, Juliet. What's the matter?"
Il don't know. Something is going to
He sighed impatiently.
You seem very queer, too, Guy"
do you believe in love at first sight?"
Yes, in many cases. Is that what is MAX
ing you sigh so? Have you fallen in love
with some oneat first sight?"
'Oh, don't know-that is to say, have
not Are you in love, Juliet?'
What a question: | exclaimed indig-
nantly, although l was half laughing. IF
you wish me to say Pm in love with you, /
shan't"
II wish to heaven you were not!" he ex-
claimed, vehemently.
The blood rushed into my cheeks, and |
sprung up passionately. Before had time
arond me agd ssed my ns nS arms
again. Ny head rested on his shoulder, and
my eyes slowly filed with tears. No wonder
wept; though | knew not then that that
was the last time that my love (mine alas,
no longer would kiss me.
Dearest Juliet" he whispered, forgive
me, darling. You know love you better
than any other woman"
Except one, said loft, clear voice close
by. Guy dropped my hand, and | looked
around with an uncomfortable sense of hay
ing been discovered in ridiculous position.
1t was Ismay. She looked loylier than
ever in the pale moonlight Her face was
that OF an angel, and her white draperies en-
veloped her like mist. She laughed gently
at my look of dismay.
81 didn't mean what | said, Ju, and
h2yen't. been eavesdrOpping. l just saun-
tered up and overheard the end of Guys
speech. 1t seemed only natural to make the
remark that | did. 1t came in so WE'LL
Guy said nothing We three returned to
the house together, Ismay talking to us both;
| replied in an incoherent way, but he said
never word.
That night dreadful fear crept into my
heart, and until morning lay awake, star
ing hopelessly, blankly, at a terrible phan-
tom, which grew clearer and more distinct
every moment. And had not even the re-
lief of tears.
Thank God that horrible state of uneer-
teinty did not last very long The agony of
the next two days was almost too much for
my endurance, but when the last crushing
blow fell it was not so painful as those
frightful doubts 1t stunned me, but knew
the worst; there was nothing, either evil or
good, that could touch my heart after that.
Let me pass over the next forty-eight
hours. | said i was i'll and remained in my
own room. | refused to see Ismay; she
made my head ache, l said. On the evening
Of the second day went out. 1t was grow
ing dark, and l crOuched down beside the
balustrade in the Italian part of the garden,
which was laid out in terraces. Below my
balustrade bank Sloped down some six
feet or so to another terrace, and a garden
seat was placed at the foot OF this bank. |
was lying in wait. In my black dress and in
the waning light no one could distinguish
me in that shady corner, and there waited.
The night was very still. That hateful corn
crake wassStill croaking in the meadows, and
/ abhorred the perfume of roses that filled
the air. for in my mind it raised up the Wis
ion of bygone love and happiness. What
mockery!
had not long to wait. heard voices in
the distance, and soon two forms emerged
H. ,lxa -
the seat below my eyes. My heart beat thick
and fast. feared they might continue their
walk; but no, they stopped, and Ismay-for
it was she and Guy-seated herself He
stood moment glancing round and then
threw himself at her feet.
"You are humble" she said; ''you may sit
beside me If you wish, or perhaps you think
that is your proper place."
Yes, he said; you were made to be wor-
shipped. had read of such women, but
one in little girl have known all my life,
and to whom l have hardly ever given a
thought"
"Ah, Juliet occupied all your thoughts"
"Julietp' he sighed; yes, and she ought
to occupy them to the end of time There is
not another girl in the world like my old
love, and she is better than you, my god
dess."
And yet you love me best of ALP"
WHO could blame me for loving you? l
dQOlS 9Ou. IOu dlt 81 UGdulllul anu HId-
cious. You are an angel Venus
And you are profane. Call me an angel
or Venus separately, not both at once
But you remind me of both. You are
neither saint nor sinner, but the most charm
ing combination of both,'
'If Juliet were here she would says was
all sinner no leaven of saintliness.'
Don't talk about Juliet. Let me think of
you and you only; the rest of my life must
be devtoed to her"
Through the gloom heard Ismay's sobs
| could not see, it was so dark, but / knew
that he was kissing her and bidding her
farewell forever, and each endearing. tender
epithet cut my heart like knife. Slowly
and noiselessly rose from my cramped po-
sition, stole silently along the terrace to the
steps, descended softly and stood beside
them without either being aware of my
presence.
"And now, good by forever dearest" said
Guy, and he would have risen and left her,
but she chung to him and sobbed convulsive-
ly; you must remember Juliet; l am bound
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