The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-03-21
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looking into the clear ewes that
frankly returned his gaze.
30 yes, indeed Mrs Danforth
has been too unwell to leave her
room, and Miss Merriman is so fierce
that | am actually afraid Of her.
Then, Betty is always SO busy, and
it is so very lonely; why, / hav'n't
seen anybody outside our own
household since you went away,
except
Heart's-ease, for surely no worldly
cares could ever intrude themselves
here. Are you glad to see me back,
little Pearl?" he asked, passing his
He did not notice the sudden
termination Of her speech, or the
slight blush that suffused her cheek
for at that moment my father, espy-
ing him from the garden, called him
to examine a thrifty young pear
tree of a superior kind, which was
rejoicing in the production of its
first pear; but | knew if the sem
tence had been completed, it would
have been-"except Hal Person."
He, poor fellow, since the arrival of
city guests, had grown pale and dis
spirited, and though frequently seen
hanging about the premises, he
never now dropped in to spend the
evening as had been his custom,
until, profting by the absence of his
rival, he had called the evening
before, but was obliged to leave
without accomplishing his design of
having a private interview with
Pearl.
Mr.. Arthur had scarcely quilted
the porch, when, with cat-like
spring Ellice Merriman bounded
from the broad, low parlor window,
and stood before Pearl, her dark,
handsome face flushed and distorted
with passion, her hands clenched
until the nails were driven deep into
the delicate palms.
"0h hate you, l hate youl" she
Kissed between her set teeth. II
hate your pale face and your deceit
full manner. You hypocrite! Do
you know what you have done?
You have robbed me of my only
treasure. He was mine, mine-he
loved me then-loved me until you
lured him away. His face used to
grow bright when he saw me ap-
proach, but now his loving glances
and sweetest smiles are given to you'll
He told me then that l was dearest
in all the world to him, and
that l should some day be his
wife, but now he seldom addresses
me, and turns away from my ca
resses. And it is you who have
done this; you who are so calm, so
icy cold; you who can never love
him as l love himp
Here the poor creature, overcome
by the violence of her emotion
sank down sobbing and moaning to
the floor. Pearl, calm and collected
knelt beside her soothing and com
forting her, and little by little draw
ing out the whole story, which car
be told in few words.
After the death of her parents
two years previous, Ellice had taker
up her residence with Mrs. Dan
forth, and it was there she first me
her cousin, Arthur Merriman
Charmed by her dazzling beaut,
and impulsive manner, he ha'
made known his love to her, an,
she had given her heart freely int
his keeping. He had been her yer
slave, until their coming to Glenart
and his meeting Pearl then, he ha
proved tickle, and poor Ellice wa
deserted.
Pearl persuaded her to retur
indoors, and there succeeded in col
vincing her that she had no desii
to take captive the recreant love
but, on the contrary, would do a
in her power to restore their prev
Gus relations.
That evening Mr.. Merrima
sought our Pearl, and offered to h
his hearts best love.
''See, darling, what / have broug
you; jewels such as only you shou
wear" and, opening a little case,
displayed necklace and bracelt
of pearls. 20 Pearl only be mi
and will surround you with
that is beautiful. want you 4
my own, my very own"
Then, in her own quiet mann
she told him the story Ellice h
related, bidding him restore his al
glance to the one he had wrong
and then glided away, leaving h
silenced and conscience-striken.
The next day he left us, and SC
q summons recalled Mrs. Danfo
and her cousin to their home, q
we We're left alone in the old fai