The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-10-02
Ariel took it up and saw that it was a

A warm flush swept over Ariel's face,
and then her eyes grew sad.
give years ago." she murmured.
ooh, Lord! if had only knownl Five
years ago, and we have not me. all the
while. Did l ever look like that-sc
happy, so care-free? Ahr'
A step had sounded, and then hand.
some man was bowing before Ariel with
polite words of apology for having
startled her, ere he saw the dropping
face under the daisy-wreathed hat.
Then he fell back with hoarse cry:
"Arielr'
eyes, Lloyd, it is l. But l did moi
think to meet YOU here. came to sec
the dear old place once more"
81 am sketching the bridge just be.
yond." he said, with strange constraint
in his manner. 81 returned for my
portfolio"
She held out to him the sketch, and
saw the rush of color that dyed his
blonde face.
you have kept it all this time" she
said softly.
To her surprise he drew back, and a
dark look settled on his handsome face.
"You have learned my secret" he
said in tones that were almost harsh.
"YCu know now that l loved you then,
that | love you now; but what might
have said to the heartless, willful coun-
try maiden, had she been kinder, will
never be uttered to tie courted belle and
heiress. | have heard of all your tri-
jumps, and thought with pride that from
the elevation to which your uncle's
wealth had raised you, you could never
look down and say, There's heart that
could be mine, did | choose to stoop tc
take it.. ~
Lloyd" cried Ariel, chow you mis-.
judge me-"
He turned from her silently with a
bitter smile, and stroGe away while she
stood there, mute and rigid, with locked
hands and wild eyes.
"What did he mean?" she murmured
81 was not unkind to him in the past
| was capricious but not mkind, and
| did not know he loved me. LOVED
me loves me yet-and l. Oh, why
would he not let me explain? Why die
he leave me like this? Ills pride made
him unjust and cruel"
The tears welled to her eyes, ant
with faltering steps she went from thc
place back to the hotel where, avoiding
those who would have detained her, sh,
hastened to her room and locked tn,
| door behind her.
An hour later Lloyd Ferris received {
message, Yiolet-scented, and signed will
name that he repeated oyer and owe
again in tender accents.
"DEAR FRIEND it ran-''you lef
me so abruptly to-day had no chance
to return to you the sketch that wa
left IN my hands. do not presume t
| Judge the value you may set upon it.;
do not know that you even tesire it
return, but it is your property, and i
you will come to the hotel tonight,
will give it to you. ARIEL
Lloyd Ferris looked puzzled as h
read.
"Why did she not send it?" he aske,
himself. "Can it be she desires anothe
meeting? Or is it but a caprice? At al
events, will CO."
He found the belle and heiress in he
pretty parlor awaiting his coming.
She wore no silllen attire, no jewel
to dazzle his eyes and remind him O
her position, but delicate robe o
white lace looped with pale roses, an,
her brown hair waving as it had bee
worn in the olden times.
He grew pale when he saw her. Wa
she bent upon torturing him?
A half hour sped.
Lloyd was strangely taciturn, but Arie
was as gay and trlhlng as she had eve
been.
Only when he rose to go did the smil
fade little and her eyes grow serious.
Lloyd" she said, II hope this is nc
our last meeting. We could spen
many pleasant hours together"
81 am going away Tomorrow" h
answered.
"But in the winter"
He waved his hand.
mo" he said; sit is best we shoul
part now"
Ariers lashes fell, but under ther
her eyes were shining.
A red spot burned on either cheek
but her step was steady as she cam
forward and laid her hand upon hi
arm.
Lloyd" she said softy, 81 want t
make you gift for"
He started back with a quick flush.
Il will accept nothing from you," Ii
said.
She raised her eyes to his then, an
they were sad and wistful.
"You will never understand me-" sh,
answered. "Oh, LLOYD, why will yo
make it so difficult for me? Can you nc
see that IL"
A great light broke over his face.
"Ariel," he cried, "is it possible
have made mistake? You-you Low
me?"
She bowed her head.
81 have always loved you," she ans
wereG in low tones.
lie caught her in his arms and locke
down into her beautiful face with
world of passion in his own.
My little love-" he said, "forgiy
me. ! have been blind. And this
this is why you have sent for me? You
gift to me-what is your siit, Ariel?'