New-York tribune., 1885-03-01

As Hester in the humble sociabe reached the end
OF the drive that afternoon. the returning barouche
groom who was driving her pulled up to make way
for it, and its occupant. Mrs. Tracy leaned forward
with bow and smile. A smile OF triumph
Hester thought bitterly. And this was the rival
who had supplanted her. who was to take her
place at Guestwycke as the child of the house!
1t had been some, comfort to her sore heart to
think she could be of use to Ialbots dear ones.
70 cherish and care for them-to fill the place he
had left empty-what else was lett to her! Poor
Hester covered her face and in her loneliness and
humiliation broke into flood of tears. The blow
had fallen so heavily, sweeping away all at once
not only the peaceful present. the hopeful future.
1t was ;t the past also TIE past with tina all It's mem
Ill.
A telegram was thrnst into Hester's hand as she
presently crossed the Rectory threshold; q sum
mons from her eldest sister, Mrs. Ornsby. Hester
always thought afterward it must have been by
her good angels special provision that measles made
its appearance III the Ormsby household just at this
particular time. She Obcyed the rather incoherent
telegram, and flew to Taunton to her sisters help.
Mrs. Ormsby had five little ones who all succumbed
in turn, and kept Hesters hands full as she glided
from one bedside to another. smoothing the pillows
under feversh little heads, or carrying cooling
drinks to parched lips, or answering appeals from
fractions cOnvalescents
Janet was motherly sort Of body. with no con-
idea that it was possible for Hester to have any
interests beyond brew Of black k-currant tea the
spreading of a linsted ,poultlce. At times Hester
scarcely thought so either. The clamOrIng little
voices, and the steam from bronchitis kettles shut
out bitter thoughts and painful memories. They
faded into the dim distance in face Of the absorbing
necessity for seeing that Jack did and
that Myse did take nOnrlshment Those Iw0 cost
the mother and aunt many a wakeful night OF
nursing. long after the robuster ones were safely
cOnvalescent.
Perhaps 1t was no wonder that as the strain
relaxed and the care-taaing grew less arduous,
Aunt Hester should drooD and lose her bright color.
Although Janet was so comfortably nnobservant.
she could not help noticing it. OF course it the
want of sleep and the warm rooms Hester was
always such one for air. She must come with
them to tn seaside and recover tone, SO week
later found them all wandering over the sands at
MorthOe, m Out-of-the-way corner of the world
after llesteTs own heart.
Long before this, people had quite left off talking
about the disaster in the SOudan. The news was
some weeks old now, and so many things had
happened since. Only at MorthOe sad and silent
woman moved through life with ali the hope
crushed ont of her.
Could she only have known for certain that she
had right TO weep Ii but for moment
Talbot could have come back from the realms Of
Eeace to tell her the trnth-Was he hers still
that Other's-iIester felt she cOuld have borne it
better. wild longing. which was almost PRAYER,
would come over her sometimes; as she wandered
on the rugged shore washed by the wild Atlantic:
and she would scarcely have been surprised tn see
the familiar form of him who had been her lover
yes. once thank Heaven for that, step forth from
out the shadow OF those wierd rocks, with the fare
well smile still on his lips and the love-light IN his
eyes; .
morning which Hester Conway will never f0rget-a
letter and newspaper were carried up on the tray
with the early cup OF tea which she took Invalid
fashion. upstairs Dora's letters were not wont to
he exciting and Hester opening it, read with rather
langud interest till she came 10 this strange para
graph:
reoicings at Guestwycke on Tab0ts return. All
went of well I'VE were there. of c0ursel. and the
poor ola peoples qnet happiness was sight to see
Isn't It strange romantic kind of story The hero
OF the day asked particularly after you and seemed
rather ANNOYED at your absence. did not dare
mention poor Lorette TO him. Didn't you laugh
over her imposturef Ii Talbot had not turned mp
again the truth would actually never have been
known at all Mrs Tracy was staying with friends
at Exeter when the news of Tabots safety reached
Guestwycke. Mr.. Guest sent her q telegram ut
once and the very next day Lorette wrote TO her
landady here throw ing mp her rooms and ordering
all her belongings to he sent to her at Exeter
directly 1t seems she does not intend to show her
face in this neghborho0d again. OF course. YOU
won't he surprised to hear that ralboTs good father
aud mother haye quite forgiven her. and paid the
months bills she lett owing"
Hester put her hand to her head in dazed bewl-
derment. Was she dreaminei Had Dora lost her
senses Or was it pos ,ible barely possible
coil up the auburn hair. which rippled over heI
shoulder, rushed to her sisters room;
Janet have heard from Dora. What does she
meant Was the report about Captain Guest
untrnoi Did he escape"
any dear. there was no need to escape. Luckily
for hun he was safe at Khartoum sick leave all
the time. Didn't tell youf HIS mother sent you
n message Perhaps forgot TO deliver it, All! |
remember now it was the day Mysie was so i'll"
81 heard nothing of it until this moment" Then
very low-with down-bent head " And Lorctte
Tracy. Janet. was that tale false tool y
Mrs Ormsby laughed heartily. {" oh Dora has
been telling you the denou1nenf of that story. has
she 1t seems her engagement was all fabrication.
Ingenious wasn't il 7 She would never have been
found ont. either. If her supposed tiance had not
come to lite again so opportunely! Mac did laugh
nan | mi
think Had I better order tapioca sago for the
chicks to-day Mysi' likes sago best. but
Domestic details such as these, however. had no
power to invade the dream-land where Hester was
wandering this morning. She evaded the children.
and as soon as she could. hurried away by herself
to carry her Joy where she had carried her sorrow
to the lonely shore.
The purple sea was sparkling and dancing under
the buest of Devon skies; the white foam was
throwing lace mantle over the lower levels of the
Jagged ks and eaping over higher and higher to-
ward thew htequartz pinnacleswhlch crowned them
Nature with strange sympathy had shed sunshine
and brill ance over all the beautiful bay. Hester.
well-wrapped, sat long and contentedly, under the
shelter of great brown rOnstone giant looking out
on the sparkling waters. till shadow fell upon the
book living 80 uselrssly open on her lap.
II was Colonel Ormsby's daily habit TO come and
escort her home. and being still but feeble, for her
spirits were a-weary, she had been glad of her
kind brother laws strong arm to help her up the
clif. Bnt to-day "A new courage Draced her limbs.
She looked up with a SMILE one OF her old smiles.
can 30 without an arm to-day Mac" she was
beginning. but the words died on her lDs.
The newcomer even taller and broader than
Man His moustachiso 3ristled fercey and he was
bronzed by desert to the tint of an Arab chief.
"Mac has sent deputy to-day, Hester" he said
smlingy She remained dumb IN trembling
snrprIse. utterly unable even to gasp out welcome
But perhaps the light IN her eyes spoke for her. for
Talbot Gncst threw himself down beside her and
seized her hands.
"Oh Hester! You Mt least might have known me
better!r Then as still she did not speak Hester ~
very wlstfully-" iesteri-I have not changed
y
q But haver she whispered softly.
And in another moment her head lay on ms
shoulder they were safely out of sight and TINS
hold wooer whom Lorette had claimed for her own,
was holding her against ms heart i'll a clasp which
deied a world 10 take her from him..