St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-05-02

nearer to his Tor the careSS tnat was SO long
in coming. His lips touched my forehead,
sending thrill through my whole frame,
but neither of us spoke e
/ felt that no words were needed to
enhance the intense pleasure of the mo-
ment
But presently Arthur broke the silence.
and these were his first words: "What a
lovely creature your sister is. Nellie"
''Yes Arthur. she is very lovely" l
answered. 'Who would ever take us for
sisters?"
And then came the sound of Ivy's voice,
singing as she came in order to let us know
she was coming. IrOse from my knees and
sat down in an armchair, while Ivy en-
tered and seated herself beside Arthur on
the sofa.
Conversation commenced again, and
brightly and merrilY the evening glided by.
l talked but little; it was pleasure enough
to me to see them both before my eyes
the two loved best in the World-to listen
to the rich, deep voice of the one and the
sweet. silvery tones of the other.
Was l not jealous. do you ask? True
love knows not what jealousy means. 1t
trusts blindly and implicitly in its object,
doubling neither actions nor motives, an
noyed by no petty anXieties, worried by no
needless wonderings. In the strong for
tress of simple, loving faith it dwells Sc
cure and safe and would as soon think of
doubling its own identity as the stability of
the idol it has made for itself.
Are you staying in London for any
length of timer" asked Ivy, presently.
It'll the end of this week." Arthur
answered. May | call again before re-
turn to Lilbourne?" he added. turning to
ME as he spoke.
And then remembered that the pleasure
of seeing Arthur had temporarily driven
from my mind that Miss Lester, the elder
sister of my pupils. had told me that the
Sunday school at which she taught gave
its annual treat next day in the grounds of
Lambeth Palace, and that Mrs. Lester
hoped | would not mind taking the chill
dren there instead of working with them at
home.
She had also given me two tickets. in case
any of my friends would want to use them.
These tickets [ now produced handing
them to Ivy and Arthur, who received them
like couple of children looking forward to
days holiday.
''Oh, how sweet OF her, Nellie! / shall
go at once and ask aunt if she will excuse
school for tomorrow"
And away she went with the priced tick
cts in her hand.
When Arthur left that evening he prom
ised to call for us at o'clock the next day
Or rather to call for Ivy. as l was to start
with the Testers.
I It was nearly o'clock before l saw
them in the field on the day of the treat. |
had looked round for them once or twice,
but | had plenty to do in Looking after my
| own little charges, and in helping Miss
Lester to amuse the scholars.
Even at the tea-table found myself at
the opposite side of the room to where Ar
| thur and Ivy sat together; but | fancied
| that Arthur looked pale. and worried.
He thinks me unkind for keeping away
from him, " thought.
And knowing the kindness of Mrs Les
ter, whom had already informed of my
engagement, [ asked if [ might leave the
children with their sisters for little
while, as had not been with my friends
all day.
Certainly, Miss Weston; please join
them at once. TO tell the truth, | thought
that gentleman was your sisters lover; he
seems so fond of her. Please do not trouble
about your pupils any more tonight. |
will take charge of them myself until nurse
comes to fetch them home"
i So joined Arthur and Ivy. but my
lovers face grew no brighter as | did so.
He was more silent than had ever known
him, and even Ivy seemed sad Tonight.
| But | came to the conclusion that they both
must be Tired, and tried my hardest to
! cheer them, talking of everything and
nothing, as we walked round the field. un-
| til it was time to return home.
| My aunt had provided nice tea for us.
| but none of us seemed hungry; and directly
| Arthur left, Ivy wished to go to bed. AS
soon as we reached our room, she pushed
the door to, and throwing herself on her
knees at my feet, she put her arms round
me, and burying her face in my dress she
burst into tears.
| ''Oh, Nellie" she cried Il love him
madly!"
Love him. darling? Love whomP" |
asked laying my had on the fair golden
head pressed against me.
Arthur Grey, Nellie; is there anyone
else l could love?" she asked almost
! angrily.
You love my lover, Ivy?''
Yes, Nellie; and | know that he loves
me-"
HAS he told you SOP"
| mot in words. Nellie; but | am as sure
| of it as if he had done so-i''
For one moment my heart seemed to stand
still, so utterly unprepared was L for such
blow. 3E~
| Not till this moment had so much as a
| shadow clouded my implicit faith in nv
lover; and had seen HIM and my sister
| together without the tiniest thought that
either could deceive me.
! But it was only for moment that l felt
| thus: before | had had time to remove nv
hand from my sisters head l was myself
| extraordinarily calm. though the pillows
had passed over my soul.
What gave me that wonderful strength
! in the moment of my great weakness? Was
it pride? No; pride could not have done it.
1t was love- mighty love-a womans love,
perfected in the furnace of affection.
raised my sister from the ground and
putting my arms around her I pressed her
to my heart l loved her, and l loved him:
they must be happy if it cost me my life.
when is he coming again?n L whis-
pered.
He asked me to walk in the park to-
morrow morning, and | told him generally
| took the children out at about eleven"
well, Ivy, | will get Mrs. Testers per-
mission to go out for half an hour. and [
will meet him first. You must Join us
little later on; and. if it is all right you can
stay with him for short time Will that
do. Ivy?"
| Apparently without a thought of what [
was doing for her, or of the pain it cost
me, my sister assented; and while she
| slept the sleep of light-hearted happiness.
l passed miserable night. bidding adieu
to the happy past and schooling myself to
look calmly on the desolate future.
| Next morning l went out to meet Ar
| thur. There in the park found him wait
ing, not for me, but for my sister.
AS approached he came to meet me. and
led me to lonely path which nllrsemaids
and children seemed to avoid Without any
preamble of words asked my questions and
discovered that he loved my sister as fohdly
as she loved him. ~.
Il am cruel, Nellie, but you left me too
much to her. And who could resist such
attractions as she possesses?"
You are not so cruel" answered, las