The Penn's Grove record., 1885-06-13

- 49, NV AA'NNN " ~ 80
"Perhaps, Bel, you have not had
sufi .ient time in which to forget. !
Some girls do not easily ~forget;'' and
Mrs. Lester sat up, and, placing he
hands on her SISTERS shoulders, looked
anxiously INTO her face. "My darling,
if the past still holds any portion OF
the past still holds any portion OF your
affection, retract your promise, n
don't marry Mr.. Harvey. Oh, Bel, as
you value your happiness, don't marry
at all unless you can give your love in
all its entirety to your husbandl'
Surprised at her earnestness, Bel
glanced up at her sister.
"How i'll you lookl' she exclaimed
Involuntary; and, starting up, she
hastily arranged the pillows on the couch
PRAY lie down againl Do you feel
worse2"
Il am as well as usual, thank you.
DEAR" she affirmed as she resumed her
recumbent position; but / dare say
Margaret would tell you l had been
talking too much; so if you will put that
shawl over me, | think l willrest a little
now"
Bel obeyed, and then, bending over,
kissed her.
81 do love john" she whispered;
''and he has no cause for Jealousy. But
he is jealous-jealous as Othellol'-
and, with a light careless laugh, h
turned away.
Jealous as OthelloI The words rang
in Clara's ears as Bel walked away.
Jealous as Othellol Was it true2 Was
she going to leave her sister in the care
of a man afflicted with such a madnessp
And Bel, with her keen susceptibility
and quick proud temper-would she
bear with gentle tenderness the endless
suspicious Of jealousyp Was her love
for John 50 sure, 50 convincing, that in
time 1t would exercise his fears and es-
tablish his trust2
L I'M sure Bel does not love him."
she murmured, squeezing her fingers
together in agony at the thought. ''She
is not gay and bright o as she was
then. When she is his wife and l am
no longer here, will he be kind to her2"
Tears flowed through her closed eyellds
and tricaled unheeded down her cheeks
as she thought of Bel under cruel treat
ment.
"Clara. gu are cryingl''-and Bees
young cheek was pressed caressingly to
the pale wet face, while her fresh rosy
lips kissed away the tear-drops. "What
is the matter with you to-dayP Are
you worse, Clara darling? Does she
look worseT" she asked, turning APP
pealingly to John Harvey, who was
standing by her side.
'No, mol" Mrs. Lester asserted hur-
rledly as she held out her hand. 81
am only a little tired. How do you do,
John? Are you early, or is it later
than l Think"
81 have come earlier than usual" he
answered, taking Bells low seat beside
the couch. 1.-THE fact is, l have re-
ceived a telegram from my father, in
forming me of his arrival in England
and requesting my immediate presence
In Southampton,
"I am 80 sorry,o Clara said. 81
hope you will tind him better" 1--WE
shall miss you terribly" she said, with
an effort.
81 hope you will pay me tho compli-
ment of missing me a little; but it is
Bel who must bewail my absence and
miss me terribly. 1 shall never for
give her if she is not looking pale, wan,
and altogether miserable when l re-
turn" and he smiled.
81 shall remain hopelessly unforgiven
then" said Bel, laughing. for l am al.
W Us in rude vulgar health, and 1 be-
Iieve nothing could rob my cheeks of
their brilliant hue"
Clara looked round at the bright
blooming face and sighed.
"Bel dear, l am so tired; if you will
call Margaret, [ think l will go in,"
she said YEARLY; but, when the girl had
left her, a sudden energy seemed to
come to her. John" she said, lean
ing over and laying her hand on his,
''my life is so uncertain, | may never
see youagain. Don't start-the thought
is not new to me, Promise mel will
not ask you to swear it, for a mans
word should be as binding as his oath
but promise me now, before l die, to
be always kind to Bel"
Startled and surprised though he was
without a moments hesitation he an
sweTed-
81 promise"
Still she was not satisfied.
"You know she has told you about
Lieutenant Haywood. When she is
YOU wife don't suspect her of any I'M
worthy recollections of that former
lover. Promise me. Bel IS so thor
oughly honorable, so implicitly to be
trusted; but you do not know her as l
know her, and you may doubt her."
He regarded her attentively, watch
Ing the nervous clasping and unclasp-
ing of her fingers.
"Mrs. Lester, what is making you
mistrust me to-dayr" he asked. ''Bel
is deareT to me than the whole world,
more precious than my own life. Place
your faith on that assurance-it is a
surety more inyiolable than my word
and trust me-"
She looked at his pleasant honest face
and impulsiyely held out her hands to
him.
81 will dol' she exclaimed. 'tAnd
John, dear John, as You hope to find
mercy for your dear ones, whom, like
me, you also may have to leave in the
care of others, so be good to my dar-
lingl'
"To the utmost of my power 1 will
be good to your darling; | promise"
THANK YOU" she murmured, as her
sister and the nurse made their appear
ance; ''and now, if you will take Bel
away, Margaret shall help me to the
house. Good bye, Johnl'
He shook hands with her. expressing
a hope that when he returned he should
lind her stronger, Then he and Bel
walked to the small iron gate which
divided Mrs. Lester's miniature garden
from Sutton Common, and, pausing
there he asked
"Bel, will you write to me while |
am away"
They had been engaged only a month
and this was there first separation;
nevertheless she answered with warm
decision
"No; you will live on my letters, and
be in no hurIy TO come back to me-"
''Must / write to you?''
"What would you write about-the