The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1886-10-05

~ lLCl1StlfSS-
thought to teach Dolores German that
summer, but her soft Spanish speech
tripped among the gutturals, and so he
contented himself with stretching his
lazy length at her feet and telling her
of German customs and scenery in
stead. They most often strolled to
Point Lookout, where there was fine
lakeward view, and where they passed
the afternoons with books and CONVEX
sation. One day they had been keep
ing silence for long time-the silence
born of perfect content-when Hilary
exclaimed abruptly:
Dolores, is there a spell of witch
craft cast over these grounds? Listen!
What do you hear?"
'Just the splashing of the water at
the foot of the cliffs and the cry of the
cicada; yes, and the chirping of the
cricket, which saddens me-"
"Why?"
Because it is a premonition of de-
cay; because il is reminder that these
roses, now in the perfection of bloom,
will soon drop their petals; that these
oaks will soon be purple and russell,
and then bare; and then-well, who
knows what then?" said Dolores with
a shudder. But Hilary hastily knelt
at her side, looking into her soft, dark
eyes with passionate fervor.
Dolores" said he, reprovingly,
"'and then?' Surely you forget that
then you are TO have the sunshine of
my love. Why, we are to be man and
wife before the oaks are bare, and |
will so protect and cherish you, you
will believe your pathway strewn with
roses"
Dolores was silent for a moment;
then, looking shyly into the face she
loved so well, said gravely:
"You mean these words now; but
are you quite, quite sure that you love
me so steadfastly that nothing can
change you?"
Il think so. But WHY are YOU in
such a doubling mood? 1t is some
thing in the atmosphere, L do believe;
something that causes You to doubt.
and me To lac idle and purposeless. L
almost feel as if could not resist any
sort of temptation if exposed to it. AS
YOU say, this is veritable Castle of In
dolence, and you are the wicked
wight"
~ shall 90 to the house"
"Why, sweetheart? And why do
YOU look so sorrowful?'
81 ask you if you are sure you love
me, and you are not at all certain. but
think so.
In the library the next morning Hill
airy was watching Dolores busy with
some dainty handicraft, and begged her
to lay it by, saying:
Come, Dolores, put aside that
make-believe work, fold your hands so.
lean your head against the chair back.
look dreamy and appreciative while L
read to You Sweetest Eyes Were Ever
Seem - But Mrs. Glentworth inter-
rupted the reading. saying "See here,
children" as she came into the room
with an open letter in her hand. "here
is a letter from Viyien Searles, an
nOuncing that she will be here the goth.
and that is to-day"
"Ahr' said Hilary, indiiferently.
land so | am TO meet my stepcousin
again. | wonder if she is as charming
as ever, and as heartleSs.
Mrs. Glentworth, who was already
arranging in her mind whom she should
ask TO met her, absently replied that
she was a great belle and had the repu-
tation of being heartleSs. But" she
continued, 81 hope you will not quar-
rel with her as you used.
"Is she dark or fair?" questioned
Dolores of Hilary.
Fair, believe; really | do not re-
member her distinctly"
yet you asked if she were charming
as ever?"
"A woman may be charming in a
mans eyes without his being able to
tell whether she is blonde or brunette"
"I do not believe it," said Dolores
positively. (Which am I?''
You? o, you are the dearest little
woman in the world"
"A pretty speech that, Cousin
said soft voice. and Miss
Searles stood before them with pecu-
liar expression of half sweetness, half
sheer upon her face.
pray excuse my interruption" she
continued after the greetings had
passed and she had been presented 10
Dolores. Il rang and raped, and the
carriage that brought ME made noise
enough to bring the household to the
porch. Are you lotus eaters?" she
questioned with a smile that had
touch of irony.
Mrs. Glentworth's entrance gut an
end to further conversation; Mis-
Searles was shown to her room and
they did not meet until dinner. She
was a vision of loneliness as she glided
in with wondrous grace; her hair was
brushed back in loose waves from her
low brow, and coiled in a golden mass
at the back of her perfect head; she
was slender and lissom, and clad in
some soft blue stuff that seemed part
of her, and her violet eyes had a pa
thetically sweet expression. Dolores
was prepared TO dislike her; Hilary
thought she would be bore; and Mrs.
Glentworth secretly decided that I'M
less she could invite an eligible party
to meet her she would be marplot.