Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-02-18
"But he is not" demurred lydia.

1
IF you are not going to talk sense,
| may as well 60"
mo, stop minute. Are you In love
with him, or with any one else?" asked
Jack gravely
II love you better than any one in
the world. and would rather live on
nothing year with you than have mil
lions with any one else"
But, my dear, l am a penniIess sub
altern, living Oh very little more than
my pay, so that is impossible and l
know the governor has had hard work
to make both ends meet. Sands has
pleasant shooting"
Il don't Shoot" remarked Lydia
dryly.
''No, more's the pity; for then of
course you would not hesitate. To tell
you the truth, l don't quite like this
queer arrangement-it sounds unnat-
ural would rather you married the
other fellow, although Lord Sands is
the best of the two in everything. But
l am afraid to advise you-that's the
truth. Think it all over for day or
two, don't hurry yourself, and don't
marry any one if you don't like. l will
speak to the governor, and see that you
are not bullied."
Lydia stood up, and kissed him.
"Y on are dear boy, she said gently:
''but you don't understand. You don't
know what9mamma is, and you don't
know how strongly feel ON these sub
Jects; 1t is very, very wrong to marry
any one that you cannot love-it Is do
ing hlm a lifelong injury. But Lord
Sands asks for no love. and l have a
great esteem and sincere liking for him;
besides, why should there not be friend
ship between man and woman ?''
81 don't know why not 4; but there
never is. Plato is a humbug dent
you listen to his sophistries ~
''Good night" said Lydia shortly,
and swept away more vexed with her
brother than she had ever been before. -
A week afterwards the papers were
all full of al approaching marriage IN
high life, and dilated rapturously on the
beauty of the bride and the wealth of
the intending bridegroom.
Lady Firth was charmed, and in her
element, while ordering the trOuSSeau
and making the arrangements for the
wedding
The eventful day came at last, and
everything went off splendidly, the
'happy pair going off for protracted
tour or the Continent during the win
ter months.
When the fist stTangeneSS wore of,
their relations We're of the friendlle5t,
and Lydia was wild with delight at the
1 suI.t .to
that net her eyes at every turn.
"Oh, how kind and good you are,
Lord Sandsr" she cried one day, in her
enthusiasm.
My dear little wife, 1t is very selfish
goodness.
But your sister is very grateful not
withstanding, she returned quietly.
He bowed gravely, and accepted the
rebuke.
CHAPTER IL.
Nothing bright was i'll the roOm-nO.
a gleam of gold or silver, nor even the
cold glitter of looking-glass every
thing was rich and warm. 1t was the
winter drawing-room of Lady Sands,
and on low lounge, drawn close to the
| Sdl llNuiSA, a EtAAOA hfA -
than she used TO be, while at times there
was sadder expression in her deep
gray eyes. A shadow had already
fallen on her life between herself and
| Lord Sands had arisen GOODNESS for
which neither could account, and for
which neither was responsible. The
first freedom of Intercourse had ceased,
and now both seemed best pleased when
the house was full of visitors, and the
probability of being left alone was pro-
portionately lessened.
Since she had grown accustomed to
and half wearied of the new grandeur
and luxurles that surrounded her, Lydia
had chafed bitterly against this strange
coldnesS. Having had 50 much love all
her life, the absence of it had begun to
tell on her spirits and usually sweet
temper, so that often she was sad and
sometimes almost irritable.
She was leaning back and laughing at
the doleful face of her companion, who
was holding her woods while she wound
tn m, and was In despair at the tangled
skein he held.
''Captain Dalfrey, you are not man;
you are an angel - she cried merrily.
81 wish people would only believe it, y
he returned, with mock seriousness.
"I suppose you are too rich to be an
angel though, - she resumed. The only
gold they have is on their heads-is 1t
not so 2"
"Indeed I do not know-my expert
ence has been so limited. Shall we
leave this now and 60 on to another
skein ?"
Yes, if you like, but you must cut
this into lengths afterwards. Put II
round YOUR neck, and 1t will not get into
worse ENHANCEMENT. There-so."
He was sitting on fOotstool at heI
feet. As he bent his head she leaned
down and was throwing it round his
neck when the door opened, and Lord
Sands entered with young glrl-one
of Lydla's sisters.
"We have had such glorious ride,
Lydiai Why were you not with us ~
she cried eagerly, running to the fire
and holding out her hands TO the blaze.
"Why, you lazy people, you have been
winding woods ever since we left, and
have nothing to show for it after all. u
at was too cold, May, and We have
been talking,n said Lydia languidly,
noting the displeasure on her husband s
face.
Your conyersatson must have been
interesting"
1T was indeed" assented Captain
Dalfrey.
Lord Sands did not speak. He took
I'D paper. and went TO the fire at the
other end Of the room.
MAY, you have brought in such q
rush of cold wind with you that I'm
trozen," exclaimed Lydia, shivering
'sThere-I am tired, and can wind nc
more"
eAnd | must CO." said Captain Dal
frey, rising ''we will finish them s0mt
other day"
He made his adieux, saying something
in a low voice to Lydia as he held hei
hand and May left the room at the
same moment to change her habit
lydia put down her work as the dool
closed behind them, and crossed over t
where Lord Sands was sitting.
Are you vexed Z" she asked gently
iaying her hand on his arm.
He started up, shrinking away iron
her touch.
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