The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1886-07-30

ly, isn't he :? Yes, like George, but like him
SO much that can't love him. Don't you see /!
WE'LL then, there is Louis Best, the two Whit
takers-they certainly so into the list-and--
Shall name any more :"
1t isn't necessary" Jack was looking straight
across the liable, trying to keep back the angry
flush that he felt rising to bis face. ~ see you
have no use for my advice. You resent my
interference"
81 don't resent anything. Come here and sit
by me. am willing to hear all you may have
to say about my friends. OF course YOU won't
be just to them that's not to be expected
"Not to lie expected l should very much
like to know why have any motive to be IN
just to your friends I"
"Oh, WE'LL" she said resgnedly, "the trouble
is, Jack, you're in love with me yourself"
With startled air he looked at her an
instant. Then smile broke slowly over his
face.
"Well, that IS a singular assertion" he re-
marked, after rather long silence.
Eyes; but the most singular thing about it is,
that it's true" she retorted, with a perfectly I'M
moved air. "That's where the singularity comes
in"
He bit bis lip. still regarding her with look
puzzled look yet tolerant look Suddenly his
whole expression changed.
Gillian" he said, abruptly crossing to where
she sat- II wish to God you were more of
woman or more OF child. l can't under
stand you. Do you try to bewilder me-to
make yourself mystery?"
II don't try to make myself anything" she
retorted, raising her free, calm glance to his
troubled face. II don't see why you can't IN
derstand me. l understand you. have only
been afraid that Janette would understand you,
too"
"But if this that you say is true--it I have
been so unfortunate as TO give my heart one
way and my word another-surely you might
have seine thought for me, some consideration
Why do you delight to make me suffer :"
"Why! Because You ought to suffer, Jack.
Because, If l met you half way, you would
throw jeanette aside without quam of consci.
ence-Janette, who is worth a dozen such
women as | am. | may be frivolous and
trifing, Jack; but l have my own ideas of
honor, too"
You are miserable firt!" he said, slowly
and bitterly.
"Thats not true. Jack !" but her young face
wore strange, hard smile.
"Talk Of honor-you talk of honor? You
have neither heart or conscience"
"Jack !"
Her voice stopped him halfway in the SEN
tence. A burning flush had spread over her
face, and the next instant she burst into wild |
passion of tears, and rushed out of the room |
sobbing like hurt child. That was the end of |
Jacks reasoning with Lillian. When they met |
at dinner she was her bright, pleasant self |
again, smiling and talking gayly; but Jack felt !
that the distance between them had widened to
a deep impossible gulf, that neither word nor
smile could cross.
tftfanss teIffse ffankness- bad defined Ills
position and placed it openly before his eyes.
And it had also shown him an undreamed of
force and courage in her character. With the
restless passion her mere beauty had inspired,
there began to mingle higher form of admira-
ton, and for the first time the thought of break
ing his engagement to Janette took form IN his
ho ouifb harf ,,11
consent il he could make up his mind to throw
himself entirely on her generosity and tender
ness. She had been SC good to him always-a
friend, sister, since he could remember, al
most. Would she be less good to him now, if
be came to demand from her the willing sacri-
ice of her dearest joys and hopes? He knew
she loved-had loved him always and mans
logic, by degrees made it very clear in his mind
hat this love should flow to the making of his
happiness, and the total remuneration, if need
be, of her own. Why else were women made
IS compassionate as angels and heroic as
martyrs Kind, happy Janette, little dreaming
hat she was expected to pose in either or both |
Of these difficult positions, wondered at Jacks
strange, restless manner, aud went on smiling
securely above her lace rufles and embroideries
md her happy dreams.
1t is not to be wondered at that Jack put off ,
rom day to day Janettes establishment. But
time came, after one of Lilian's rare evenings
It home, when she had been more lovely, more
gracious, more tender, subdued, thoughtful and
owing than he had ever known her, that Jack |
made up his mind, with masculine vigor, to a .,
inal and determined effort for his freedom be-
ore another sun should set. He had seen of :
ate an unmistakable sadness in Lians eyes,
vstful anxiety that not all her pretty smiles {
ould cover; and on this especial evening her !
land had fingered long in his, and her glance :
lad met his own in responsive kindness. He :
eft her, thrilled and restless, his heart beating
wildly at the thought that to morrow would :
ring him at least the right to throw himself at
Ter feet. +
But tomorrow brought him something wide :
v different. By breakfast time the wholesI q
ousehold was in wild CONSERVATION; Lillian
lad disappeared. Her pretty white bed was
nruflled but on its pillow lay its little note, /
ddressed to Janette: +
"Dont be troubled Or unhappy. have gone
way, of my own free, glad will, to be married .
ell papa-tel every one to forgive me, and I
I'VE me until come again. l will surely re- =
urn in time for your wedding, dear, dear, n
recious, darling, Janette! You will not miss =
,uch. You have your kind, good Jack to /
le for he has you. But you must all love me, 9
nd know that, wherever am, l must always Y
G your own true, loving Lillian a
And this was the end Of Jacks feversh .
of his plans and hopes and strong +
ssoves! His high-built castles lay in ruins Ii
Dund him; but no one knew, thank God OF a
ne wreck and havoc IN his life Janette hung q
Dbbing on his shoulder. He shuddered as he n
Used her, thinking how closely she had passed 4
, keener and most lasting sorrow. He could
OF comfort her, he was too deeply hurt him "
Elf. b
As the days went on the fact of Lilian's fight h
-as followed by the discovery of another fact
that George Archer and Harry Chase were
9th missing. This established at once the
ersonality of the bridegroom. Archer had al
avs been favored admirer of Lilian's, and as
larry, though an admirer also, was Arehers
osom friend the sequence, OF course, seemed a
cry plain. Harry, who was exceedingly q
ealthy, and the soul of generosity besides, .
lust have placed money at the disposal OF the i
Dung couple, for Archer was not known to V
ave any visible means OF support ID
"But what a rash step it was for Lilian-so b
Dung, toto leave her comfortable home and e.
0 off with one who might be worthless ad- .
enturer for anything that was known OF him !,
Grayton." a
Aud so the tongues wagged, until Lillian a,
ime back and stopped them. K
1t was the day before the one appointed for p
err sisters wedding. Yet they had received no a.
ord from her beyond her little FAREWELL note, =
ntil they heard her voice in the porch. Ii was !,
early twilight. Tea was over. The children 9,
ere drawing at the table, Jane tie was talking "
her father near his desk, Jack was smoking e,
I'D the roses from the porch were trailing In
yer and nodding their pretty red faces through
e window. :.
No one heard the gate click, nor the foot
cps, but they all heard Lilian's first word \;
Home, home !" she called ont, in q gay voice NJ
at broke into a sob. IA