The midland journal., 1886-10-08

Great heaven! had Helen Courtnay
seen him? Had the actress seen her.
too? No, she stood still, with bowed
head and eyes blinded with tears, wait.
ing for him to leave her; and 81,
I Austin, not daring to trust himself
with one more glance at the loved form.
walked quickly forward, to follow and
overtake Helen.
Her manner, he knew, would soon
betray her if she had indeed seen him
with the actress-seen that last SORROW
full kiss; and if so, what would she
think of his pure darling?
"Why, Miss Courtnay, you SO far
alone?"
81 might retort the question" she
said, with flush of naughty anger, no
ready smile as usual, no touching the
arm he offered.
He knew at once that she had seen
all just now, and of course gave it but
one Interpretation. He had not vanity
enough to dream of the jealous pang
that had barbed her anger.
Oh, strolled out, and found myself
by chance at Ravens Place." he an
swered, lightly.
She answered not. There came
choking in her throat of pain and in
dignation at what she deemed his cool
insolence and falsehood rose still more.
He had made an excuse to absent
himself from her party-from her, only
to steal away to meet this wretched ac-
tress he had affected never to have seen.
RavenSwood gave her covert, keen
glance; his darling should not long
remain under the shadow of shame
even in the eyes of the one woman al
his side, in whose looks something just
now made vague, sudden suspicion
flash scathingly across him, that posi-
bly,, in his careless, easy way, he had
gone too far, and let her, perhaps, mis-
take his half-foreign galiantry for more
serious meaning.
Presently, he said gently, II am glad l
have had the honor of meeting YOU
Miss Courtnay; for it is good distance
to the hall, and perhaps you might
have lost your way, or met with an
noyance. Where are the others?"
II strayed into the wood and missed
them somehow" she answered, coldly;
OuO Cdi liilAi my way. Juduh JOu.
need not take you out of yours"
He would not notice her tone or man
ner, but simply answered, My way is
yours entirely, Miss Courtnay; and 1
know short cuts into the park, if you
will honor me by trusting yourself to
my escort. See, over this stile-let me
assist you"
He sprang lightly over, and held out
his hands.
She bent her head haughtily; but her
chest heaved, her cheeks flushed, and
her hands so trembled as he clasped
them, that lnStli.uulVtiy she tried to
cover an agitation that could not but
be observed.
"There are cattle over there" she
said.
"Only few quiet COWS, I assure you,
Miss Courtnay."
But his mind was made up. Both
for her sake and his Violet's-yes, his
Violet!he must speak to her, painful
as it would be to his pride and heart
All the soft, rich beauty of the even
ing was lost upon those two as they
walked on, almost in silence. till the
reached at last gate, into Mountain,
Park. Yet further on, passing through
a little road, and Helen stopped abrupt
ly with almost gasp
81 must rest a minute, am so tired"
And she sank down on the severed
trunk of an old tree by the path.
Ravenswood stood for moment.
looking down on her, his arms folded
tightly across his breast.
"Miss Courtnay," he said, "will you
listen to few words which common
justice demand? Bitter as they are to
speak; bitter, too, as it will be to carr
your contempt for folly. mad foil
of eighteen years ago, which has blaste
my life. and worse. the life of one mos
pure and goodwill you hear me, an,
keep the secret which is not all mineY
Helen recalled the gossip she had
heard, yet startled, touched despite her
self, answered slowly" Twill, Sir Austin.
speak on"
"Thank you; it is generous" He sat
down at her side now, and after pause
said, "Of course, the moment I Joined
you this evening, 1 knew that you had
seen me in the lane with the actress
VALERIE. Ah hear me, dear Miss Court
nay!'-for she lifted her head with a
hot flush and an indignant flash of her
eyes" for if she were what you think
her, would not pollute your ears by
naming her. That seven long years