The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-12-03

DuJ summer comes again, ana WIN
it the usual throng Of city people,
though this year does not find either
Owen CASTOR or Isabel Goodwin
among .hem.
81 suppose they are married long
ago." thinks Amy, dreaiily, with the
long, low, patient sigh which always
accompanied ber thoughts of them.
There is one lady among the fashion
able crowd to whom Amy is strongly
attracted, and who, in turn, seems
equally drawn to the lovely village
girl. She has taken downright fancy
| for her, in fact, and shows it in every
way.
"Amy, DEAR she says one day after
the former has been reading to her for
an hUir, "do you know, it is my ma
ture to delight in sbowering gifts and
favors upon any one whom | like ?
But you, with a little balf-embar-
rassed laugh-"you are such a prond
little thing, my dear, that l can do
nothing to prove my friendship for
You"
Amy hesitated a moment, coloring
deeply, and then:
"Mrs, Fielding" she says softly,
shrinking almost painfully at the sound
of her own words, "you can do me a
favor-a great favor--if you will. l
am longing with all my soul to leave
this place and go far away, and if you
would only take me as your hired COM
panlou-lady's maid = anything, so
that | could go away"
MY companion !" echoes the lady
quickly, "The very thing, my dear !
If your parents will trust you in my
care you may consider yourself en-
gagged forthwith"
So, when the season wanes and
closes, Amy fits away with the rest,
to new scenes which, she prays, may
deaden that awful aching of the heart
which makes her young life a torture.
"Amy dear, says Mrs. Fielding on
a certain day Uhey are in Paris now,
81 am expecting call this evening
from an old friend of mine, an Ameri-
can. And-let me whisper this secret
in your ear" she adds, with bright,
merry laugh, 81 would give anything
in the world if you and he would only
fall in love with each other. There |!
that isn't wise confession from a
would-be match maker, l know, but l
am thoroughly sincere"
"Mrs. Fielding begins Amy, blush
ing painfully, but the lady checks her
with gesture.
"Therel don't say word about your
position You are quite worthy of
him, or any other man, my dear, 10 ev-
cry way. To be sure, you are not rich,
but he is, so that would make all
things even."
And with her gay laugh she sails
out of the drawing room, leaving poor
Amy to recover from the shock as best
she can.
She is looking very sweet and lovely
this evening in soft rose silk, with
foamy lace relieving it at throat and
wrists, and the wisttul sadness which
has taken the place of the old piquant
sauciness in her brilliant brunette face,
seems only to enhance its touching
beauty.
She is half reclining upon a sofa, her
eyes gently closed, lost in old-time rev.
cries, She hears no visitor announced,
no sound of footsteps on the rich, thick
carpet, but, when her eyes fly open
suddenly, in obedience from some
strange thrill passing through her
nerves, they rest full upon the face of
Owen CASTOR.
There is moment of shocked, un-
broken silence. The hot blood rushes
wildly into each startled face, then both
grow white as death.
"Pardon my intrusion" he begins
coldly, recovering himself, but Amy
stays him with an impatient motion Of
her hand.
at is of no consequence, I assure
you," she says indifferently. 81 pre-
sumo you desire to see Mrs. Fielding;
she will be here directly. Pray be
seated" Then, calmly, without an
outward tremor: 81 may be somewhat
tardy in the matter, Mr. Ga,ton, but
still, | trust you will accept my con
gratulations upon your marriage"
"My marriage !" His handsome
blonde face is as sturdy as he echoes her
words. "Really, yoi have the advan-
tage of me there. To whom have
been married?" and a slight tinge of
his old familiar rogueishness steals into
his voice and manner.
"To- to--why, suppose-I always
though" is somewhat bewildered
now-"O the beautiful belle to whom
you were engaged two years ago
Miss Isabel Goodwin"
"She is married long ago, but not to
me. And I-why, never thought OF
being engaged to her; | never cared
for her. Who could have told you
this ?" his manner sotte Mug strangely
| OF all women"
He stops suddenly, for he has been
gazing straight into Amy's beautiful
face (more beautiful now than ever, he
thinks), and something he reads there
makes him say, with an indignunt face
that compels an answer:
''Is it possible that she could have
told you that =
Amy hesitated for one moment, the
rich color coming and going painfully
in her dusky cheeks. Then, raising hel
sweet, wistful brown eyes to his, sh,
frankly answers:
"Yes,'
When Mrs. Fielding enters, few
moments later, she is quite surprised t.
learn that her two favorites are already
acquainted.
| But judge of her amazement wher
she finds, before Mr.. CASTOR takes hi
leave, that the match upon which sh,
has set her heart is already arranged
and that, too, without particle of as
sistance, which she would SO Willingly
have volunteered Clyde Raymond