The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-08-06
Grace Lilburne's Secret.
STORY or
TWO CHRISTMAS DAYS.
CHATTER I.
Hnup on the wOOCl fhe wind is shrill,
But 'et il whistle as il viii.
Fg'Ii keen our Christmas rrorrv still


Wen keep our Christmas morry still
''Kate. do you believe that Roland
really loves yOu2'
The girl thus addressed flushed rosy
red, then she replied with a shade of
annoyance.
''How can [ tell whether he loves me
or not; he has never breathed word of
love to me-
perhaps not. although he has look
ed whole volumes of devotion, but looks
are even more deceptive than words.
Shall you accept him If he proposes to
yOu2
I viii tell You, Grace. when he has
proposed, - was kate's digniiied reply;
''and in the meantime you had better
finish dressing. I am nearly ready to
receive our guests. How do I Iouki"
And Kate Lilburne, as she asked this
question glanced with COmplaCaucy
upon the white satin gown that hung
so gracefully upon her.
oh. You always look well, was the
unGraciOUs reply; and no wonder,
when you have all your mothers jewels
to wear. Those pearls alone are worth
h fortune.
And she pointed with a mixture Of
anger and envy AT the costly ornaments
on her sisters neck and arms.
You know YOU are always welcome
to wear any of my ieWelIy. said Kate
gently; can | lend you anything now
No, thank YOU replied her half
sister sharply: . I don't choose to dress
in borrowed iinery-plain gold orna-
meuts are good enough for me. l sup
pose il never occurred to You that RO-
land AYTe is much more in love with
your fortune than he is with YOU.
Certainly not; l should he ashamed
Of myself to think so mcanly Of him" 7"
ITS true, whether You believe 1t or
not, p said Grace spitefully; 'he loves
another woman. but she is poor and If
he asks You to marry him, it viii be be-
cause you are rich. Knowing this. l
should think Won wiltneYer accept him y
q" Nv dear Grace " said Kate lightly
don't trouble yourself about Roland,
( nor about me; he is sufficiently wealthy
to be able to choose a wife without con-
siderlng her fortune, and | give him
. credit for possessing too much good
sense, and Tar too much regard for his
( own happiness, to believe he would
marry woman whom he does not love.
: And now | viii talk no more about him.
. for it is not maidenly for YOU and me to
be discussing a mans Intentions when
he has not proposed to either Of us.
But Grace was not 70 be put off in
this manner. She had overheard con-
Ver5GtIOn between her father and RD-
g land Awe the previous daN. and had
gathered from the words that fell upon
. her ears that Roland had asked for and
4 obtained her fathers consent to pro-
pose 70 Kate
stop a minute exclaimed Grace,
( planting herself in the way to the door;
. ''will yOu promise me that If Roland
proposes to you tonight you will not
accept lim?'
Il viii not discuss the question, was
. the answer.
Then. seeing that her sister barred
her way, She suddenly drew mp heI
slight form with queeniy dignity, and
said.
Don't forget yourself. Grace, and
don't make me angry. This IS not the
way in which We should spend Christ
mas Day. Let me pass.
l,uIca looked Tor moment ut heI
lovely sister and Sulipn scoWl came
over hrroE pretty facr. but slie utter
ed no HoUd OF Justification, and turning
. sullcnly left thn room.
No one could haze suspected the de
mon of rage and Jealousy that lurked II
her breast when some time later Sh,
came down To loin her father and slste