The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-03-22

ways rather admired Mrs. Tracy. Now,
Hester, help me TO think. Had better or
der tapioca or sage for the chicks to-day !:
Mysie likes sage best, but Jack. +"
| Domestic details such as these, however,
had no power 10 invade the dream-land
where Hester was wandering this morning.
| She evaded the children 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 bluest of Devon skies the white
| foam was throwing lace mantle over the
lower level of the jagged rocks and eaping
over higher and higher toward the white
quartz pinnacles which crowned them. Ma
ture with strange sympathy had shed sun
shine aud brilliance over all the beautiful
bay. Hester, well wrapped sat long and
contentedly under the shelter OF a great
brown ironstone giant looking out on the
sparkling waters, till shadow fell upon the
book lying so uselessly open on her lap.
1t was Col. 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-in laws strong
arm to help her up the cliff. But to-day
new courage braced her limbs. She looked
up with a smile-one of her old smiles.
al can do without an arm to-day. Mac"
she was beginning, but the words died on
her lips.
The new. conner was even taller and
broader than Mac. His moustachiso bristled
fiercely, and he was bronzed by desert suns
to the tint of an Arab chief.
" Mao has sent deputy to-day, Hester"
he said smilingly. She remained dumb in
trembling surprise, utterly enable even to
gasp out a welcome. But perhaps the light
in her eyes spoke for her, for Talbot Guest
threw himself down beside her and seized
her hands.
ooh, Hester You at least might have
known me better ~ Then as still she did
not speak: +" Hester" very wistfully-
Hester l''-I have not changed ~"
But have" she whispered softly.
And in another moment her head lay on
his shoulder, (they were safely out of sight,
and this bold wooer, whom Lorette had
claimed for her own, was holding her against
his heart in clasp which de6ed a world to
take her from him.
Col. Ormsby and his wife, walking down
to the shore later, met the pair climbing the
cliff together, pretty impersonation of
Loves Young Dream. Hester, who found
that she did need support after all, leant on
Talbot's arm, while he, tall, bronzed and
soldier-like, was looking down tenderly into
her fair face, half hidden by wind-blown
tangle of auburn curls. She had been tell
ing shyly, with hushed breath, OF the Via
Doiorosi her feet had so lately trodden, and
listening with pitiful tears in her sweet eyes
to his tale of the dangers he had passed, and
of the short, sharp, merciful illness which
bad been q blessing in disguise. Mrs.
Orsmby looked at her husband significantly.
Hester's brother-in.law gave an express
sive whistle, and began to hum under his
breath: "Oh there's nothing half so
sweet in life. y" Both guessed
what had happened and were ready with
their good wishes.
But the warmest congratulations came
from Guestwycke, where John Guest and his
good wife soon had the Joy of welcoming
daughter-in.la after their own heart. We
may be sure that the flowers bloomed
brightly, and the place wore its gayest as
pect for this visitor who came to take up her
abode there for good and all.
1t is what we always wished, Hester"
said Mrs. Guest, her bright old eyes shining
with happiness, =" l never could take to that |
Mrs. Tracy, even before she turned out an
impostor.'
Hush my dear I" reproved her hus-
band gently. Hester knows how much
We love her." taking his new daughters
hand in HE, and patting it affectionately;
and think that there need be no ill.feel-
ing !'-The Argosy.