Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-02-18

him bv his name, but he did not heed it.
Il was blind then, but now my eyes
are opened. Lydia, my poor child, can
YOU forgive me?"
~ do not understand" she returned
coldly.
81 might have known-I might have
known. " he continued YEARLY, passing
his hand across his forehead. as though
in pain ''but it is too late now for re-
pentance OF for regret. | Will do all |
can for you-perhaps ought to go away
for time"
$50 away?" echoed Lydia, locking
half stunned, and pressing her hands
tightly together.
He did not see the panied look in her
eyes, nor the pallor that was creeping
He resumed.
"Yes, 1t Is better l should go, and
you might visit your mother for time,
until-until-"
"Yes, yes, let me go homei Oh,
mother, mother ~ And Lydia burst
into a wild fit of weeping, swaying to
and fro in ali agony of grief.
Lord Sands walked up and down un-
easily, watching her furtively.
Poor child Poor child ~ he mur-
INJURED tenderly, with = world of pity
in his voice but he did not go to her
nor attempt to comfort her. Il did
not think you had suffered SO much,
Lydia"
But she did not answer, except to I'M
plore him 10 leave her; and, when at
last he was gone, she sunk down on a
pile of soft velvet cushions, and sObbed
bitterly in the anguish of conflicting
emotions. Perhaps ne loved some one
else, and regretted the bond that held
him to her; or perhaps she, in her anx-
iety not to OverStep the barrier between
them, had been too cold, and less than
friendly.
ut is my fault, she murmured with
a pang of self-reproach. Perhaps
can make thlRgs right even nOw."
She dried her eyes, and sat dreaming
and planning on the hearth-rug by the
fire, until the dreSsing-bell rang, Then
she ran upstairs, singing To herself IN
the light-heartedneSs of renewed hope.
Lord Sands, pacing restlessly from
one end of his study TO the other, heard
her.
perhaps 1 have thought too much OF
1t, :" he SAID to himself. after all, she
is only a child, knowing nothing of love
or grief"
But Lydia drove her maid nearly mad
that night with her capriees. Not a
dress that was brought out would suit
her. One was too bright, another toe
dark, another was unbecoming, aud all
were unsuitable
IL want the pTettiest dress | have, "
she cried impatiently, and presently she
was suited.
''Milady, what a pity there is no one
to see youl' said the admiring maid.
at is superb ~
Lydia laughed delghtedly.
at is NICE she said, strokIng her.
self down softly, and then she went
downstairs.
As she entered the drawing room
neither Lord Sands nor her sister could
resist all eXclama. ion.
'Lydia-how lovely I" cried May.
''Do you like my dress, Keith 2" she
asked, going towards him. and looking
up at him with half smile
He took her hands in his for the space
of one second, and then dropped them
hastily.
"You are perfection, " he answered
gtavelv.
But my dress''-anxiously,
SIS very beautiful-but little toe
much perhaps for just ourselves"
lie did not mean to hurt her; but his
eyes were 50 full of her wondrous sweet.
ness that he dared not trust himself to
speak ill praise of her.
She blushed hotly, thinking he had
read her motive, and turned away tC
speak to May, whose simple dress OF
white silk and black velvet seemed to
make her own appear gaudy, and al
most theatrical by contrast. After din
ner Lydia sat by the piano, with heI
fingers strayIng idly over the keys in
snatehes of melody. while May settled
herself at the farther end OF the room
to write letters undisturbed.
Presently Lord Sands joined them
and. after wandering aimiessly about
the room for some time, at last sat down
beside Lydia.
"Smg TO me-" he whispered softly
and she complied, choosing in her haste
the passionate complaint of Guinevere
He moved his chair back with a sharI
Jerk, as these words rang out in hel
clear young voice with almost uncOn
scious fervor; and she stopped singing
and turned round.
"What is it, Lord Sands Do you
not like my song 2" she asked in sur
prise.
at was strange song for you to sing
on my last evening with yOu," he an
swered in strange harsh voice
keith, must you go?"
LET Us forget all that has been said
to-day be once more as you were-my
dear friend, my brother. Do not leave
me-"
She had half risen from her seat hel
hands were clasped tightly together ant
her face was raised pleadingly to his
Had be read the story in her eyes hi:
, answp would probably have been diff
terent but his head was turned away
and his lids were fixed and stern as b,
answered her.
sit is imposSible-:mpossible! YOu
do not-cannot know u
She rose with flashing eyes.
81 do know, and understand at last
Pray make no apologies, Lord Sands;' ,
and she swept away from him angrily
In the morning she came down pale
and composed, and her woman's prid'
gave her strenth to say goodbye witt
a smiling face, when Lord Sands left
that day for London en- route for Italy
A few days later she went back witt
May to her old home, and soon
seemed to her rs though she had nevel
left it, as days and weeks passed by
and her husband did not return. Sh,
was very patient and accomplishing
and il WAS only her own family who no
; ticed that her face was thinner, he
step more languid han Of old. and tha
, she looked for her letters with a fever
! ish anxiety.
2 Captain Dalfrey was still In the neigh
borhOod, and visited them very often
r Very soon his motive was discovered
, for he proposed for May and was &C
cepted. His regiment was ordere'
abroad, So their engagement was yer.
short one.
, Lydia had written to Lord Sands +
tell him the news, but had received n
answer. The wei!ing-day came AM