St. Landry democrat., 1886-09-18

and intimate-as one of the household
that there was little change. True, he
never came now without some rare and
beautiful gift for May, but utlatterly she re-
ceived these with a sort of petulance,
and tossed them, the next moment,
carelessly aside. Once, just before her
wedding day, she burst into a passion
of tears; but she would give him no ex-
planation of their cause. He remem-
bered them, later, in connection with
the arrival, that same afternoon, of a
young soldicr-cousin, who had been
bidden to the wedding, and had OBJ
tanned special leave to be present.
After dinner, May and this cousin-a
tall, splendid looking young fellow
strolled together out upon the lawn.
As once before. Arnold and her father
stood watching her.
They look we'll together, do they
not?n said the latter. Il used to fancy
VIII had a preference for May, but [
don't think my acumen in such matters
has proved itself very acute
And with light laugh, he turned
away. But Arnold stood motionless,
his eyes fixed on the two figures on the
lawn. Standing, there, he felt an old
man. In that moment, Mays accept
ance to his appeared a sacrifice, but to
give her up now He could not even
carry out the thought. Pshaw! What
brightness could hispenniless subaltern
throw into her life? And her father
had fancied only his preference for her,
not hers for him.
He made gesture as if throwing off
burden, and walked out toward them.
AS he approached, the young Lieuten-
ant was speaking.
''It is driving me to desperation,
May!' were the words borne to his ear.
And as May turned to greet him,
glistening tears were in the azure eyes.
Three days after she became his wife,
and when the solemn VOWS were spoken
her voice was clearer, more distinct,
than his.
Lieutenant Crosby bore his share in
the ceremonies well, too. But never
did Dick Arnold's glance fall on him
without shuddering recollection of the
words he had heard him utter on the
lawn.
But at last all was over, and May was
his. How should he treat this beautiful,
new-found treasure? No sorrow, he
swore to himself, should ever cast its
shadow on her path. She should be
always what she was now, beautiful,
petted child.
Once, few months after their mar
riage, letter reached him at the break
fast table. He broke the seal, to find it
communication from his business
manager with a detailed account of the
failure of large firm, and their own
heavy loss thereby. 1t would be neces-
sary for him to give the matter at once
his own personal attention. 1t looked,
too, the letter said, as though panic
was imminent
Unconsciously he sighed oeeply. IN
moment May had sprung from her
chair, and was by his side.
"What is it, Dick?" she asked.
Nothing, darling" he answered,
cheerily.
The lovely lips pouted.
''Show me the letter. she said, and
outstretched her hand.
He shook his head.
s.It is business, DEAR" he explained.
''But it troubles you, Dick?"
"Your imagination, May
She said no more, and the man was
too absorbed by thought to note the
look of almost anger in her eyes. I'm
mediately after breakfast was ended, he
ordered the dog-cart to drive him to the
station. They were spending the sum-
mer at his beautiful country residence.
All day long the young wife was left
alone, and at evening, when Dick re-
turned from the city, worn, tired look,
quite new in it, was on his face; but
May asked him no more concerning it.
The next morning, the single letter
which the mailbag held was addressed
to her. She glanced up from its peru
sal with flushed cheeks.
"Will Crosby has six weeks fur
lough?" she said, eagerly. ''He writes
that he is coming to spend part of it
with US. You remember we invited him
when we were married"
'Ah, remember" assented her hus-
band-he had almost forgotten his old
suspicion during these happy months
Il am glad, dear, that his visit is timed
just now, for though | had intended to
take long summer holiday, business,
I find, will demand my attention in the
CITY,"
us any thing wrong, Dick?"
"Wrongp Nonsense, child! Don't
get such ideas in your pretty little head
What could be wrong?'
And rising, and kissing her, as he
A few days later the expected guest
arrived. When Arnold returned one
evening from the city, the two were
standing together upon the lawn, and,
as in flash of lightning, his memory