The Washington critic., 1885-08-17

lessons; lhC uHNtlMC Is quite long /
enough for work.
Al he knew not that The produce |
of thc evenings work wac all | had to |
rely upon for the purchase Of all those |
little things which girls so love to col !
lcct against their marriage.
Arthur sat down 10 his tea Ivy whit !
ing apOn him as before, and iniisting
that / should join him in the meal !
They both seemed quetcd Ivy my pres
cncC, and in n short time Ivy slipped !
away and left us alone.
The first time for two whole, long |
months that we had been quite alone !
together. lie held out his hand TO me- |
and there was more than love. there |
was what seemed TO me kind of |
ycaming pity in his eyes as he fixed |
them on me.
] went over to him and lsnclt by his |
side, laying my head upon his shoulder, |
and feeling that this was worth wait. |
ing for through all these long, weary |
weeks
After minute or two | pulled his
arm a little bit tighter around me, and
put my face nearer to his for the Caress
that was 50 long in coming. His lips
touched my forhcad, sending thrill
through my whole frame, but neither
of us spoke.
felt that no words were needed to
enhance the intense pleasure of the
moment
But presently Arthur broke the 81
lencc, and these were his first words:
"What a lovely creature your sister is,
Nellie"
Eyes Arthur she is very lovely" |
answered. "Who would ever take Us for
sistcrsy'
And then came the sound Of Ivy's
voice, singing as She came in order to
let us know she was coming. | rose
from my knees and sat down in an arm
chair, while Ivy entered and seated her
self beside Arthur on the sofa.
Conversation commenced again, and
brightly and mcrrily the evening
glided by talked but little; 1t was
pleasure enough to me to see them both
before my CyCs-thc two loved best in
the world-to listen to the rich, deep
voice of the one and the sweet silvery
tones of the other.
Was not jealous, do you ask? True
love knows not what jealousy means.
1t trusts blidly and implicitly in its OBJ
iect, doubling neither actions nor mo-
tivcs, annoyed by no petty anXictcs
worried by no needless wonderings. In
the strong fortress Of simple loving
faith, it dwclls secure and safe, and
would as soon think of doubling its
own identity as the stability of the idol
it has made for itself.
care you staying in London for any
length Of timer asked Ivy, presently.
It'll the end of this week." Arthur
answered. May call again before [
return to Lilbourncy" he added, turn
ing TO me as he spoke.
And then | remembered that the
pleasure of seeing Arthur had tempo
Iarily driven from my mind that Miss
Lester the elder sister of my pupils,
had told me that the Sunday school at
which she taught gave its annual treat
next day in the grounds of Lambeth
| Palace, and that Mrs. Lester hoped /
would not mind taking the children
there instead of working with them ut
home.
She had also given me two tickets, in
case any Of my friends would want to
use them. These tickets | now pro
| duccd, handing them to Ivy and Ar
| thur, who received them like Il
couple of children looking forward to
days holiday.
ooh, how sweet of her, Nellicl |
shall go at once, and ask aunt if she
will excuse school for Tomorrow"
And away she went, with the priced
tickets in her hand.
When Arthur left that evening he
promised to call for us at 1 o clock next
day--or rather to call for Ivy, as | was
to start with the Testers.
1t was nearly 3 o'clock before | saw
them in the field on the day of the treat.
| had looked round for them once or
twice; but had plenty to do in look
ing after my own little charges, and in
helping Miss Lester to amuse the schol-
airs.
Even at the tca-tablc / found myself
at the opposite side of the room to
where Arthur and Ivy sat together; but
! fancicd that Arthur looked pale and
worried
He thinks me unlind for keeping
away from him. thought.
And knowing the kindness of Mrs.
Lester, whom | had already informed
of my engagement, ! asked If | might
leave the children with their sisters for
Il little while, rs | had not been with
my friends all day,
:" Certainly, Miss Weston please join
them at once. To tell the truth,
thought that gentleman was your sister S
lover he seems SO fond OF her. Please
do not trouble about your pupils any
more tonight. | will take charge OF
them myself until nurse comes to fetch
them home.
So Joined Arthur and Ivy; but my
lovers face grew no brighter as | did
so. He was more silent than | had
ever known him, and even Ivy seemed
sad tonight. But | came to the con
clusion that they both must be tired
and tried my hardest to cheer them by
talking of everything and nothing u,
we walked round the field until it was
time to return home.
My aunt had provided a nice tea fol
us, but none of us seemed hungry and
directly Arthur left Ivy wiscd to go tC
bed. As soon rs we reached our room
she pushed the door to- and throwing
herself on her knees at my feet, she
put her arms round me, and burying
her face in my dress she burst int
tears.
"Oh, Nellie, Nellie" she cried, 81
love him so madly !"
Love him, my darling? Low,
whom" asked, laying my hand OF
the fair golden head pressed agains
me.
arthur Grey, Nellie; is there any
one else | could loyc?' she asked
almost angrily.
You love my lover Ivy?'
Eyes, Nellie; and | know that hr
loves me. ~