The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-03-12

and a smile upon her mobile lips that
has been absent from them for many a
day. A few words explain everything,
and then the future Countess is caress-
ed and made much of by her mother
and sister for little while.
had no idea that you were the
friend who was coming to stay at the
Court" says Mrs. Rivers, presently.
smiling at Errington.
No? Didn't Craven tell YOU? I
chose a rather peculiar time for my
visit, he adds. with little lauCh-"just
when Craven was about this wedding
es' yes" says ROnnie, in an agony.
In vain she tries to think of something
TO say that viii turn the conversation
into another channel.
Very pretty girl, Lady Maud,p he
goes on, unsuspecting; ''and enormous
fortune think myself she is rather
throwing herself away upon McGregorl"
Upon whom| asks ROunie breath
lessly. Cecil. who has placed one hand
upon the back of a chair to support her
self, Is looking at Sydney with all her
soul in her eyes.
~McGTegoT," he repeats carelessly.
He's sort of distant cousin Of hers,
and really nothing much in any way.
But she likes him. and has married him
the wedding took place on Thursday
in spite of every one"
This is dreadful" saws Ronnie. in a
A44AhICAlCu lOllE. Dllt NOQlu perhaps
have said great deal more: but Er-
TIngtOn with a smOthered exclamation.
goes quickly forward, and catches Cecil
In his arms, She has not quite tainted,
but for minute or two is compelled to
lie passive in his arms, her breath
coming and going in little fitful gasps.
After awhile she opens her eyes, and
tries TO smile, and murmurs feebly that
II is only the heat-nOthng more; that
she is very foolish, and so on.
on are not foolish and it is not the
heat" cries ROnmie, with fearful indig-
nation. 1T Is only that hateful Maior!"
After this, everything is explained to
ErrlngtOn, who looks as concerned and
is really as distressed as any one could
possibly desire.
DO not let US talk any more about il.
ROnnle," says poor Cecil, at last. 1T
is all over, and it was all my own fault.
and | VIII not have Sydney worried
about my grievances. L shall 90 for a
walk in the beeCh-wOOd and try to leave
my troubles there behind me-"
She smileSa little wIutery smile as she
says this. and. softly beckOnng to her
mother, they both 90 out of the room,
leaving the lovers alone.
Down the bare leaf-strewn path goes
Cecil. her mind full of bitter thoughts.
Entering the wood. she strays deePinto
1t. thinking always of that last day
when she was there with him, and when
she had so wiIlfully put from her the
one chance of happiness she most de-
sired. TWO tears spring into her violet
ewes and linCer there They do not
fall, but shine like twin stars in the last
- beams of the sinking sun.
She has now reached the very spot
where last she saw Craven. Up to this
she had been walking with bent head:
but now. lifting her eyes, she looks
around her. As her glance slowly trav-
els from tree to tree. her sadness in
creases. Now she is looking wistfully
at the little babbling brook in the dis
tance, and now at the messy hillOck be-
yOnd, and now
Who is that coming toward her? Her
heart stops beating for moment. and
then thrCbs frantICally. 1t Is Craven,
looking sad and CaTeWOrn and tul OF
detection. As he sees her, he checks
himself for an instant. and then comes
resOlutely onward. FInging away the
cigar he has been smoking. he stops just
before Cecil. He does not offer to shake
hands with her, but stands regarding
her tiXedly.
~You!' he says atlength. what has
brought you here?'
i don't know: l wanted to come here
4" She feels q little choking Sensa-
ton in her throat, and stops. unable tC
proceed.
Il didn't mean to come back again SO
soon" SAYS Craven, who has never once
removed his ewes from her face. while
she. on the contrary, has not had the
courage to lift hers to his
Il thought you meant never to come
Z back" she answers in a low, husky
/ tone.
$50 l did-but"-bitterly- see
could not help myself; YOU ought to be
! proud of that ought you nOtr7
"Oh. do not speak to me in that tOneH
J nr.4e I.
( meet his. and he can see the heavy tears
lurking in their soft depths.
How would You have me speak Z
/ your he asks, reprOachfully, but not s.
/ cOldly as moment since. When las
we met you scOrned my advances, anC
told me that you hoped never to see mt
again: and that too. at time when
was consumed with desire to tell yol
how I loved you-how that ever.
thought of my heart was yours
/ "Ah, if you could only understand,
she muTmurs desperately.
Understand what" eagerly. "CeCi
/ speak to me. tell me what you mean.
Major Jervis said you were going {
be married to your cousin. Lady Maud,
saws Cecil. in a stifled tone.
( "The old scOundrel." he mutterS
"Was that why you behaved so cruen
to me on that wTetched afternoon?" b
asks presently, when his wrath ha
somewhat subsidized.
%Yes"-shyly.
"And-and now you know the Who'll
truth-dO you love me, Cecdg
Il do"-still more shyly.
"My dearest heart" mUTmurS CraveT
and then somehow she finds herself Z
his arms with her head against hi
breast. and knows that she Is utterl
and entirely happy.
what misery have endured sine
we partedln says Craven, after litt
while. 1t is quite year ago nov
a wear, A week" she corrects, Ef
ing her bTOws.
%Oh. nonsensel 1t might be a centuI
at least" he says. We'll. you sha
never know what unhappiness meal
again, if can help it, he adds, tende
Then they wend their way slow
homewards In the hall they me
Mrs. Rivers, who regards them. natura
IL enough. with aStunishment. and the
! have hardly explained matters sat
4 factoTily 10 her when ROnnle and i
rington Join them, when il has all
4 be said over again on both sides
Whilst they are in the very midst
their double congratulations, one
/ the servants, coming into the lit
morning-room where they have seat
themselves. tells them that Major Je
Wis is in the drawing-room-
IN 90 to him." SAYS Ronnie, risin
'you are too nervous to-day. mamm
and Cecil's eyes are pink-she has e.
IDENTITY been enjoying herself eXcessiy
" with Duke
With this. and little laugh. S
/ rustles out of the room and INTO [
next bv a folding door, which divid
the TWO rooms from each other. The
2 she finds the Major.
When he has gone through the or
' nary questions about her own and
mothers and sisters health, he sa,
: somewhat jerkIly--
. "Seen our friend Craven lately?-
Yes. to-day. But he is not 50 int