The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-06-18

eyes were eloquent.
The next day, when Lois took out
the children for their usual walk, Mr..
Castleton met them at the gate.
I was waiting FOR you, he said, his
handsome face flushing with pleasure.
A little bird told me you would come
this way. | was always very fond Of
these desultOry walks. ! GU VIII let me
Join yOui'
Lois tried to think of some excuse,
but there was really none to offer. Be
sides, away down in the depths of her
thrObbing heart she realized already how
delightful it would be to have this
handsome young fellow for a compan-
ion.
For three days IN succession the same
story was repeated. Lois invariably
found Mr.. CastletOn at the gate. and
they rambled about the fields. as gav.
careless and happy as the children
themselves.
Then Mrs. Beaman found them out.
She was dTeadfully angry. and would
have discharged Lois upon the spot,
but for wholesome dread of the CON
sequences.
There must be an end Of this" she
said, quite fiercely. You ought to be
ashamed of yourself. An engaged man.
too! Mr.. -CastletOn is to marry Marcia" "
Poor Lois turned pale and faint.
Was it true-what that cruel woman
said? The mere thought that Louis
CastletOn was betrOthed to another
made her very miserable.
But the walks ceased. From that
time forward the children were re-
Quired to take their exercise within the
grounds, and the young goveness de-
voted herself to them more assiduously
than ever.
One day Mrs. Beaman encountered
Mrs. Waugh Unexpectedly in one Of the
corridors. The old lady stood beside
the great bay-windOW at the end. turn
ing a small. glitteTing object between
her fingers. Her yellow face looked
ghastly-she was trembling from head
TO foot.
What is the matter. dear auntY'
cried the startled lady. Are you illY'
Mrs. Waugh turned slowly, and after
q moments hesitation held up some
thing in the vivid light.
L picked this up where I stand, she
said, in quiverlng voice. who could
have dropped it,
Mrs. Beaman strained her eyes. What
she saw was a simple Old-fashiOned
brooch of fine gold.
1T is one ! gave Gertrude more than
twenty years ago, y half-SObbed the old
lady. I recognized il at a glance. On
the back IS the very Inscription | had
engraved there. W. to CT. ""
It was well Mrs Beamau's wits were
htt1. III Alllo EllAtl -tlLiH N4-EA 1f-L y f-tl
her well OF course the brooch had
been dropped by Lois, but it would
never answer for this fact to become
known.
How very strangei" she calculated.
drawing a deep breath. The brooch
is one l purchased Of q pawubroker in
the city. noticed the inscription but
never dreamed OF assOciating it with
you or Gertrude
Mrs. Waugh touched the ornament
caressingly, her eyes full of tears.
May keep Il, EstherI'
Certainly. Ii is of no value TO me.
/ am glad to be able 10 restore it
Nevertheless size could not stitle some
secret mlsglylHEs. Lois might see the
brooch at ANY time. and lay claim TO II.
She felt like one walking on q bridge of
glass. 1t would be necessary to carry
matters with q high hand If she hoped
to succeed.
The next morning, when Lois took
the children out for their daily airing.
mans tail, shapely figure rose up sud
denly before her as she turned an
abrupt angle in the path.
Louis CastietOn. an eager flush on his
handsome facel Lois had not seen him
for several DAYS. She would have fled,
but he caught her two hands and held
them fast.
Why do you avoid NE so persistent
lysT he asked. If You knew how Gag
erly [ have watched for your coming.
You would not have the heart to do So
Her face changed, but no words came
to the trembling lips.
AT first fancied YOU had selected q
different hour for your walks. \ ester
day l stood at the gate from dawn until
dusk. This morning / climbed the
fence, and invaded the grounds"
20, why did you do itT"
He looked into her face with con
sciOus laugh.
Because 1 was resolved to see you
che house TO ask for you when you ap-
peared. O. Lois, do not try me 50
again
At the utterance of her own name Ia
that tender, pleading tone she started,
and sprang away from him.
Don't speak to me like thatl'
"Why nOt?n he painted, following her
up. Lois, listen TO me. There Is
something I wish to say to you"
Keep away DO not touch mem
The words seemed to pierce him Ike
q knife. While he stood mOtIonless,
staring at her with q pale, dismayed
face, she fed past in the direction OF
the house.
20, how could he trine with me?"
cried the miserable girl, shedding the
bitterest tears Of her life. "Ie IS soon
to be the husband Of another, and--and
i love him!H
Late that night poor Lois was awak-
ened from troubled dreams by the sound
of supbressed voices underneath her
window She looked out, but could see
nothing in the darkness. PerpleXed
and distressed by vague fOTebOdngs,
she hastily drew ON her dressing gown
and slippers, ard stole silently down
stairs.
The edrawing-rOOm window stood wide
open: lust outside she saw the outlines
Of two figures standing close tOgether-
a man and q woman. lnyOluntarlly
she fell back. and caught her breath.
You love me, Marcia?' the man SAID,
in voice Of liquid music.
Yes. Rupert, was the answer.
''Why. then. do YOU heSltatef Fly
with me tonight. We Will come back
at the end Of a week, and peuitenuy
throw ourselves at the feet OF your pa
rents. They viii forgive us, of course.
All VIII end happily. Only consent,
darling. and you shall never. regret it
You win be a true and loving hus-
band. Rupert?"
yes. YES. Do not doubt me. You
yield-Heayen bless you. Marcia. We
viii go at once. Where Is your shawl.
TOu are shivCTiug with cold. and must
not leave without it. Let me get II.
Il threw it across one Of the chairs IN
the drawiug-roOn.'
He leaned forward and touched his
lips to her forehead.
do not stir, darling, he whispered.
u viii be back in a moment
Lois saw him coming directly toward
her. She understood all. Marcia's lover
was Rupert Dane handsome, stylish
ly-Iressed man Of middle age, q stranger
in the neighborhoOd. whose aCquaint-
mce the girl had somehow managed to
make.
She was shocked, startled to discover
that Marcia had kept up his aCquaiut-
anca clandestinely. Her heart was
throbbing wildly as she caught the girl S