Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-09-17
ENGAGED IN HASTE.
ny MISS NJ. T.. BRADDON.
Continued from last Ueek.)

=
and sheltered from the frost. and cared
for as if they had been precious human
things
"Yes, they are too levely," said Grace.
VI never saw that pcea nobilis look so
superb as it does this year. My father is
80 proud of it. And to think that he may
never see those trees again"
Here she began to cry, and
again Edward Colchester felt that
he was brute. He seemed pre-
destined to say british things, to put his
finger-tip upon open wounds
He walked by her side while she dried
her tears. his heart aching for her his love
flowing out toward her like magnetic
stream They were in one Of the winding
shrubbcry paths, which they two had
trodden many time. gayly, careleSsly, as
comrades and playfellows, in those remote
days before his friendly feeling for a
pretty girl had ripened into passionate
love, before trouble or care had darkened
her young life. 1t was path completely
screened by cOnifers and eVerTreens out of
sight OF the house. In forest they could
not have been more alone. At the end of
the path there was little Swiss chalet, Il
fantastic summcr-house of carved wood
in which Mr.. Colchester had often had
o'clock tea after a warm afternoon at lawn
tennis Ii was GraCe's favorite retreat in
fine weather, and her books and drawing
materials were scattered on the rustic
table just as She had left them a week ago
She looked at them with liStless air, and
stopped to pat the books together
"BroNning Maud, La Petite Fadette,"
she said. as she gathered up the Volumes
allow happy was that last morning sat
here reading. Such warm morning
like July. Everything was so lovely, the
air so delicious | forgot that | had Il
care"
what care could you have to forget a
week ago." asked Colchester
"Oh. there are cares in every life. Every
body has some kind of burden to carry.
But never knew what real sorrow meant
till my fathers life was in danger"
Her tears flowed afresh at the thought
of that peril and then Edward Colchester
forgot himself altogether, and caught her
in his arms, and kissed the sad, tear
stained face again and again.
"My beloved let me share your grief
let me be all in all to you in your day of
sorrow. My dearest, you know how fondly
l love YOU
1t was all done in a moment. She was
in his arm, his beloved, accepting his de-
kisses, for such kisses could mean nothing
but betrothal. They were the first lovers
kisses that had ever touched her lips
Never before had she felt the passionate
pulse of a lovers heart beating against her
own. She tore herself from his arms.
How can you, how can your" she cried
reproachfully. "To talk of love when my
father lies on his death-bed! | know they
all believe it is his death bed. | hate you
for such heartlessness.
"Gracie is it heartlessness to adore Won.
to want to Comfort you in your sorrow?"
he asked, reprOachfully. 81 have been
quietly worshiping you for year-wait-
ing, waiting for some sign Of awakening
love on your part. | should not have
dared speak even yet only to see you in
tears and not be able to comfort you was
too much.'
"Gou can not comfort me- am full of
trouble she answered passionately.
She had Hung her books upon the table,
and had left the chalet hurriedly, and was
walking quickly along the path that led
TO the house. He felt that she was angry
with him-that he had, as it We're, violated
the San"tty of her SORROW ana yet he be-
HeNed himself her accepted lover. For
one delicious moment she had rested in
his arms, her eyes had looked at him, not
III anger. bCt in answering love. Those
lips of hers had yielded themselves to his
kisses. He knew that she loved him-that
he mad but TO wait for Il more fitting time
to press his suit And he had her father
upon his side, the good old colonel, too
he had fortune, youth, everything that
makes fitness in union. And he knew of
no likely rival. Could he doubt that no
should win her? His heart glowed with
triumph as he hurried after her swift foot
sleeps, overlook her, and stood at her side.
"Forgive me, Grace. l will wait for a
happier day. he said.
"That day will never come for you and
me-" she answered, coldly. pray forget
that You have been so foolish, as ! shall
try to do
"Forgc. those kisses? Never! Grace,
will not he put off like this | will wait
will not even speak of my love until your
father is out of danger-but you must not
thrust me from you coldly; you must not
deny my right to claim you by and by"
"Neyer, never, never" she said Il tell
you ii can never be-"
"Then you do not love me-" he
cried, selling her hands, holding her
there on the path, face to face with him,
beside !mself with love and anger You
We're u,ceiving me just now, or | was mad
and deceived myself. You do not care a
straw for me. Say that, Grace-only say
tnat Npu don't care for me, and You shall
never see my face again"
SIN could not say it; nor for the life of
her could she SO belle her beating heart
which had gone out to him as bird to its
nest, which belonged to him aS slave to
her master.
81 can not engage myself to YOU she
said. There are reasons
what reaSonss There can be no rea-
son except that you detest me Why not
say so at once, and make an end of the
matter If there were obstacles would
overcome them. Give me one grain Of love
no bigger than mustard scotland
woull remove mountains. But there are
no Obstacles. We have everything on our
side. Your father likes me-he was my
fathers dearest friend-he would like to
would like to see us married"
81 can never marry you" said Grace,
aa1lV "\klv do Won DrpSS me with mini