The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-11-13

death, and Lady Cathcart, after long
period Of seclusion, in which she nurs
ed very real grief, had again appear
ed in society, where she was courted
and admired with greater zest than
when she was either debutante or wife.
Was it mere coincidence that this
stepping out of her retirement occurred
precisely at the same time as the re-
turn of Laurence Kinnaird from India,
he having obtained long leave of ab.
sence flom his onerous post of duty :
She answered the question TO herself
with the courageous truthiulness which
distinguished her, owning that.it was
this circumstance, and this only, which
had decided her course of action.
He was still unmarried and she was
free-if the old love survived, what
now stood between them?
Their first meeting took place at
crowded evening assembly, and though
he recognized her instantly-as, indeed,
time had done little more than develop
into perfect beauty the crude lowell.
ness of the girl--he avoided more than
paSsIuS recognition.
Was she not now even richer aud
more desirable than before-still fur
ther removed from him on the social
plane and sought by men who had the
highest prizes of life to offer her
What measureless folly to suppose
that the love which was presumption
in the bloom Of his youth could be &C
ceptable now that time and care and
the sharp harass of accumulated re-
sponsibilities had prematurely aged
and worn him True enough, the one
passion of his heart had not grown
old, though he had led too busy and
strenuous life to pine and fret over
the inevitable. But in the depths of
his strong nature, wrapped up in its
virginia. shroud from all contact with
the outside world, lay his love for
sweet Bertha Maxwell, as fresh, pure
and vigorous as when his eyes had last
fallen on her girlish face. And do you
suppose that she, with woman's in.
tuition, did not discover this
She did, and her eyes frightened
and her heart leaped within her with II
joy keener than any joy she had tasted
before. He loved her still-the man
she had played so gallant part in the
thick of difficulties, which would have
bafhed and crushed ordinary men, and
whose claims to honorable distinction
were recognized on all sides. For ten
years he had kept her memory green.
Would all her life be long enough to
pay him back for his sweet fidelity?
From time to time they met and
parted without steps advance to the
goal she had in view-he inaccessible
in his courteous reserve and she striv-
ing to overcome it as best a fond but
proud woman may.
1t is now very near the end of the
season; the cards for the last of her
little dinners have been sent out and
he is to be one of her guests tonight.
1t was generally conceded that of all
Lady Cathcarts successful little din
ners the last most nearly touched per
lection, and to explain the phenomen-
on where woman rules alone, it was
remembered that her late husband,
who had been just as much of an
epicure as becomes wise man,
had bequesthed her his cellar and his
chief, with all the rest of his real and
personal estate.
But she herself when had hel
beauty been more influential, her voice
touched with tendercr infections, OIL
her talk more characterized by tha,
sweet freedom and cultivated thought
fulness which made her, every Other
charm apart then, the:most delightful
and stimulating of companions
The most silent guest at her table
was Laurence Kinnaird, but then hi
tactiternity was poverbial, land might b,
excused in man of action; or it might
be that he thought it gave more effect t.
his weighty and incisive words W hel
uttered.
When Lady Cathcart rose from thu
table with the lady who was her con
slant companion aud friend, she signi
fed that, the evening being so sultry
she had ordered coffee to be served il
the garden kiosk, but at the same tim
begged that they would consult, no
their courtesy, but their inclination il
regard to joining them there.
Scarcely ten minutes had elapsed be
fore she saw from within the shelter o
her summer house Laurence Kinnair
approaching the spot, and he wa
alone. Behold the opportunity sh
desired, granted her even before sh
was prepared to meet it But wher
was the supreme courage, rising abov
: all feminine and social conventions
/ that she had resolved to put forth ?
No young girls heart could hav
/ beat more strongly, or her cheel
changed color more swiftly than her
| Still was she such coward ? Shoul
: loves labor be lost for want of tn
fitting effort on her part She ros
I from her seat, and tying the black lac
, handkerchief she had just thrown o
t over her hair and under her daiut
chin, said carelessly
81 will go and meet Mr.. KinnairC
e and show him my towering yucc
He will laugh at it, no doubt, but a
least would rather know what ca
g honestly be said in disparagement.
, A few moments more, and they wei
= walking side by side where she ha
I walked alone that afternoon, with Il
full-brimmed river gently kissing Il
= green banks, and rejecting on its Gle
t surface every leaf of the lush owe
:, hanging foliage, and every tint of Il
:, sunset sky.
: Kinnaird looked about him, al
t heayed an involuntary sigh.
g "These are the scenes he sal
d which man dares not recall in
t dla, or he might well go mad with lol
i ing. How often l have sympathized wi
o the wish expressed, ! think by LeiI
l. q