Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-07-29
LOVE CONQUERS PRIDE.

flowers Of every shade and hue, whose
rich perfume was waited to her by every |
passing breeze.
But she did not see or heed them; her
eyes were fixed upon the gardener, a
tall, sturdy man, with broad chest and
stalwart limbs, who stood leaning with
easy grace upon the spade that indicat-
ed his calling.
A half sigh came from the parted lips
as she noted the broad, full forehead,
the prideful look In the dark, flashing
eyes, and around the singularly beauti-
full mouth.
HE looks more like prince than
gardener" was her inward comment.
allow strange that he should occupy
such position?"
AS Lady Eleanor swung open the
gate, moving slowly forward to the
place where he stood, he turned round.
the deferential bow with which he
greeted her seeming less like an homage
to her rank than to her sex and beauty.
Plucking a few flowers, he twined
them together and handed them to her,
his usual morning offering.
Lady Eleanor smiled her thanks. A
curious sort of intimacy had sprung up
between these two, so widely separated
by their relative positions.
"Do you always mean to be garden
er, Egbert?'
"Yes; why not? Tilling the earth is
an ancient, as well as an honorable,
calling"
'T know. But you-are you satisfied
with it?"
"Perhaps not. But who is satisfied?
Are your"
Lady Eleanor would hardly have
brooked so abrupt an inquiry from an
equal; as it was, she bit her lip and
frowned.
II think I have never been so dissat-
isfied with my lot since knew you,
lady"
Lady Eleanor regarded the speaker
with an air of naughty surprise.
"Since you knew me?"
ayes; I have had very different aspi-
rations since then. Is it true that you
are to marry Lord Derby%
sit is true; we have been betrothed
from the cradle. Though I really don't
know why it should be matter ofin-
tefest to youw
''It does interest met touches me
more nearly than anything else; for I
love you, Lady Eleanor Darcyw
The passionate tone and gesture that
accompanied these words must have
struck an answering chord in Lady
Eleanor's heart; for moment she stood
ynotionless, with pale cheeks and heav-
fng bosom.
"How-how dare you tell me so?"
"No matter how, I do dare to. And
you-how dare you wed one for whom
you have neither respect nor affection?
Your heart is mine; you cannot rob me
Of thati''
All the naughty blood of her race
rushed Indignantly to Lady Eleanor's
face.
sInsolent base-born hindl will tell
my father of your presumption, and
have you punished forit."
H'Do so. But whatever my punish
ment may be, you will suffer far more
than I, for you love me, Lady Eleanor!"
sit is false! I scorn-I detest you!
Begone, out of my sight!'
The young man turned deadly pale as
he looked into those flashing eyes.
III go, but some day you will wish
that you had not sent me! Some day
you will wish that you had not spoken
such cruel and bitter words! But here
comes your noble and honored suitor. I
wish you joy of him."
And with slight but expressive ges-
ture toward the man who was ap-
preaching, Egbert rushed down the
path toward the river.
Lady Eleanor shrank from the hand
that was laid upon her arm.
"What! all alone, fair cousin? I
thought that I heard voices. Good
gracious! how pale you areg'
Ill am not at all well, my lord. I
pray you to excuse me-"
And gliding past the arm that was
extended toward her, Lady Eleanor
sought her own room, where, fora time
she gave herself up to the contending
emotions that swept over her.
Two hours later, bathing her eyes and
smoothing her disordered hair, she de-
scended.
AS she did SO she noticed that quite a
crowd had gathered on the lawn.
'What has happened@ she inquired
of one of the servants in the hall.
''It is Egbert, the gardener, my lady.
He tried to cross the river, near the
floss, and is drowned"
For a moment Lady Eleanor stood
like one stunned.
Then darting through the crowd in
front of it, she entered the porter's
lodge, whittier they had carried him.
She cast one glance at the still, cold
face.