The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1886-03-04
FROM MORN TO EVE.

and the roses make the air redolent
and the trees in front part to reveal a
glimpse OF the silver lake and the
misty blue mountains beyond.
1t isa pleasant scene, and the 81
lent watcher enjoys it with the vague
emotions of convalescent to whom
nothing is greatly inspiring.
At such times the mind is some
what torpid and feels naught keenly.
A look Of brighter interest dawns
upon the pale, handsome face, how
ever, as the tones Of sweet, girlish
voice come floating through the win
dow and reach him with the signing
Sephyrs and scent OF the roses.
"It is Lillian" he murmurs.
Mother, wish you would cease to
speak of that to me. ] cannot wed
James Barton"
"Ahl they would make her tho wife
Of that man." thinks the invalid, with
flush on his face. "Poor child, he
would prove a poor husband, fear
selfish, cold exacting, and at least
twenty years her senior She deserves
better fate"
He leans his head upon his hands
and falls into q reverie, from which
the sound OF an approaching foot'tep
rouses him.
Glancing up, he sees slender form
in violet muslin, with shade-hat over
dimpled, fower-like face and gentle
blue eyes regarding him earnestly.
"You are better?" asks Lillian Trent
shyly,
He holds out his hand to her, and
as she places her soft fingers within
his clasp he draws her nearer to sit on
sae low ottor an beside him.
l"Yss, I am fast recovering, thanks
to the kindness of yourself and moth
er. did not think when ] came here
/ should need such ministering, but !
had studied hard last season and over
taxed my powers. 1t will soon be
time to leave this pleasant life for my
dull Office and law-books again, and
while ! regret many things / am glad
am able to resume work ! love-" :.
"You will 60 soon?" says Lillian,
with her eyes downcast.
an few days at most. You are
sorry?"
He puts the query unthinkingly as
he would speak to child, and is start
led when she leaps to her feet and
turns a blanching face upon him.
$50 soon!' she cries.
"Why, Lillian, you are trembling,
he says wOnderingly What is the
matterf Is it"
Ere ne can complete the sentence
she has turned and darted away lik,
a bird on the wing. He sees the fiut
ter Of her violet draperies as she hast
ems down the winding path, and lool
of pain and perplexity comes into hi
eyes.
"Can il be she cares so much2" h,
queries.
He sits a moment in meditative at
? titude, and then rises and takes tn
direction in which Lillian has disap
pesrsd.
At the end OF the walk is lattice'
arbor covered with vines, and as h
approaches this retreat, Robert Wi
lard hears the sound Of sobs and brob
en- words.
"He is going away, and love hin
SOL love himW
A great light comes oyer his face
then fades, 40 he lears forward an
draws aside the leaves to bend ter
der glance on the form of the gir
within, who is kneeling beside the lo'
seat with her head bowed and the riI
Piles Of yellow hair floating over he
shoulders.
Robert Willard falls back with
sigh, and his hand drops heavily
his side.
"God pity us bothP he murmurs.
He turns to go, but twig snaps b
meath his feet, and ere he can retre'
Lillian stands before him with claspe
hands and flush on her pretty face
"oh, Mr.. Willard you followed n
and heard my foolish Words 81
faltsrs. "What must you think
msm
A mement he stands irresolute,
The girl does not know of the stru
gle thst is going within his heart, b
she eees the lines OF his countenan
grow grave, and as his eyes rise to h
face her own fall.
u am sorry" he says quietly.
have made no effort to win your lo'
but have thought 81 you as a simp
hearted girl, Lillian, and found ple'
urs in your society. ! do not thi
you under stand your own heart. | &
going away soon-and you will iorl
me"
The effort to speak calmly NAL
his tones almost cold. and A flush