Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-04-11
MAY MoRELAND.
BY NJ. A. RIED.
CHAPTER V,

\M gaTuen, sne SAT TOT long tiIne
w thinking over what had occurred
in the last two months. Had she act
ed wisely? She asked herself the
question again and again, but it was
not answered. Life had always been
to her, a strange, inde6nable some.
thing, now she was fast becoming
mystery to herself. One thing she
knew, and the knowledge came upon
her like mighty torrent, sweeping
every other thought before it; she
loved this man who had just left her,
loved him with that deathless love
which only women of her kind can be-
stow upon an object. The bright GRIM
son swept over her face at the thought.
A leaf rustled near her, she started
and looked around. That there was
no one in the garden save herself, she
felt confident, yet she was almost sure
she heard a faint football on the gravel>
ed walk. She rose to her feet and
looked around, she saw no one, and yet
she seemed to feel another presence.
She walked down the path little
way, and then paused; 81 am ner-
vous," she said aloud, and turning, re-
traced her steps.
1t does seem as though we are sone-
times guided by influences invisible.
Had May gone on down the walk she
would have made a discovery, for no
sooner had she left the garden, than
man stepped from clump Of lilac
bushes, and making his way to one OF
the gates, passed out. This man had
on a shabby suit of blue, tattered
hat, and very rough worn shoes. He
had suit Of busy, red hair, aud long
red beard. His appearance indicated
that he had travelled far.
That night in the silence of his
chamber, Weston trod to and fro upon
the carpeted floor, with clenched hands,
and white, white face. His eyes were
glowing, and his breath came hard.
Fooled" he said, discovered, and by
that girl. I.have been a fool, fool.
When | thought she loved me, she
was only acting, acting for him. | see
it all, now; ] was blind not to see it at
first. Curse him, curse him, thou
sand curses upon him, and on her too !!
/ must leave here, and yet | cannot, |
have no money, every cent lost last
night at that fatal gambling room. /
cannot go, yet, go must. Let me
see, let me think"
His eyes shOne aud sparkled with a
reckless light, and great drops of per-
spiration stood upon his white fore
head.
II must, l will have money!" he
continued, 81 have done such things
before, can do it now; yet, shrink
from it. My love for that girl has
softened me little, and she will suffer
by it; well let her, she deserves to suf'
fer for her deception. o Clifton, my
much hated enemy: you are wise, but
| know heads more cunning than yours
But | must act" He drew near ia,
bic and wrote on slip of paper;
,"Friend Robert,
81 am, unexpectedly, called
away on business; may be gone some
two or three week: until then, adieu
49, WESTON"
This note he folded, and leaving i
on the table, he went softly dowr
stairs and out into the street.
AS might be expected, the More
land Family was somewhat surprised
when Robert read the note at tn
breakfast table, the next morning
Mrs. Moreland sat toying with he
spoon, and offering conjecture aftel
conjecture, while Robert looked a
May, whose face was fair as a summe
morning, calm and undisturbed. A
length he spoke; "May do you know
where Weston has gomez"
She looked up indolently, 81 do not
and can't say that care greatly"
"Well / don't understand it, but Q
course Sidney knows his own bus
ness"
at is to be hoped that he does,
said May, rising from the table with
iog,, ,nl;4o,o,,t ,.,ooo gGTf H. H.