The Penn's Grove record., 1886-03-13

preston and greatest CldLuls L ulu
not meet her eyes again during the
service: but a sure instinct told me that
IN Blanche billiard 1 had an impla-
cable enemy; and a jealous pang shot
through me as | saw her whisper IA
millarly to Sir Hugh, while he smiled
down on her with that look | knew so
well. which l considered should be be-
slowed only on me.
The sermon came to an end at last,
and we all moved out Of church with
the dignity of most congregations.
Outside Hugh and his guests were
waiting for us, and he introduced Mrs.
billiard and her daughter to my moth
er and me. l felt my own deficiencies
terribly as l stood there, an insignlt-
cant little figure IN blue muslin, beside
Blanche billiards. stately height and
faultless attire. But Hugh's eyes
gazed down on me with the love-light
shining in them, and once more l was
happy.
A fortnight passed away and they
showed no signs of going yet; and | was
struggling hard to make myself be-
lieve that I was happy, that l had no
cause to be otherwise. But it would
not do. Day by day l saw that my
love was going from me, that Blanche
Hilliard's beauty had fascinated him,
and that my brief dream of happiness
was over. When we were alone, he
was Just the same as he had always
been; but we were seldom together now
though | was constantly at the Chase.
Mrs. Hilllard professed to have taken
a great fancy to me, and would send
for me every day; and vt was her GUS
tom to seat herself beside me after din
ner and engage me in conversation,
while Blanche strolled through the
open window to the broad terrace and
was joined by Hugh.
What torture l endured, sitting
there cutwardly so calm, with the sound
of the voices outside striking on my
ear, Blanche's soft laugh like the chime
of silver bells blending with Hugh's
deep tonesl l rarely listened to Mrs.
billiards. conversation, but on this
evening she said something that rlvet-
ed my attention. We were speaking
of Blanche, and / had forced myself to
praise her beauty-for she did look
beautiful on that night in a flowing
black dress and massive gold orna-
ments.
Eyes, poor child" her mother said,
signing, Isle is very handsome; but
her life has been blighted."
"In what wayP" l asked absently.
"Well, l know Imay confide in you, !"
was her answer. "But the fact is that
some years ago she and dear Hugh was
very fond of each other, and were en-
gagged to be married; but, owing to
some foolish quarrel, it was broken off,
and she has never cared for any one
since"
The words startled me terribly; and
just then the pair we were speaking
of passed the window, and l saw
Blanche's fair face turned up to Hugh's
with an expression on it that a woman's
face wears only when she looks at the
man she loves. Was it possible that
he loved her, that l was the barrier be-
tween them? 1 turned faint at the
thought; but I was determined that no
sign of my emotion should appear; par
t~icularly as | saw the old lady watch
ing me with sharp inquisitlve eyes.
SIT was very unfortunate that any
thing should have separated them," |
managed to say coldly,
every indeed" she answered sharp
IL. "You have no idea how attached
to her Hugh was; he was quite beside
himself when she broke it of-for it
was all her doing. l never thought he
would have looked at any NJ again;
but l was mistaken, as he is to marry
you"
Eyes" l answered quietly.
could say no more; my head was
reeling, my heart was bursting. 1t was
all quite clear to me now; he had only
fapcied himself in love with me, while
| all the time his heart was given to
Blanche; and now he was too honorable
to tell me SO.
Glow they must both hate mel" l
thought bitterly. But l would be no
bar to their happiness. On the NOR
row l would tell Hugh that l had dis
covered his secret, and release him
from his engagement; but this evening
| must think it all over, and try to re-
allze my misery and force myself to
calmness. l told Mrs. Hilliard that l
did not feel well, and would go home
with one of the servants, without say
ing anything to the others; and, after
! a few feeble remonstrances from her, l
managed to get away, and hurried
swiftly across the wide park, flooded
with moonlight, which cast weird
shadows of the trees upon the grass,
and invested the scene with a mysteri-
Gus unreal charm that would have de-
| lighted me at any other time; but now
l had no thought for anything but the
misery that,overwhelmed me.
In the solitude of my room l sat down
to think it all out and plan what l
should do. Hugh had arranged to
| meet me at our favorite haunt in the
wood on the following day; and / de-
termlned to tell him then what I had
| discovered and release him from his
promise to me. I planned howl would
act, how brave and firm l would be,
how calmly / would utter the words
that were to part us for ever; and, ever
while | thought, a vision of my love in
all the pride of his strength and beauty
rose up before me, and l could do moth
ing but fling myself down and sob mis-
erably till sleep came to my relief.
The morning broke brilliant and still
the whole earth rejoicing in the beauty
of the new day.
1t was July now, and, while we lived
at home in peace, a deadly struggle was
being fought out in the fair land OF
| France. And still the sun shone as
brightly, and all nature smiled In beauty
and plenty, as if nothing but peace was
in the land. l was not thinking OF
these things as | took my way to the
wood through the summer warmth and
| stiffness. With the selashness that is
part of our nature. all troubles and
| sorrows seemed to me as nothing com
pared with my own.
l walked on swiftly, and reached the
meeting-place, a lovely shady spot in
the depths Of the wood. L almost
dreaded TO raise my eyes, lest l should
see Hugh standing waiting for me, as ]
had so often seen him, and my resolu-
lions might fail. But, for the first
time he was not there before myself
AID I thought, with a bitter pang, that
In the charm of Blanche's society ht