Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-09-26
ENGAGED IN HASTE.
CHAPTER V.

0lllowy masses Ol dark venture, soon To IN
: touched with the varied hues of decay.
For little while Grace and her compan
ion walked about the lawnin silence, sh,
too unhappy TO speak, he racking hi:
brain for something appropriate, or al
least an inoffensiye subject OF converse
tioa.
How well the strawberries are looking, r
ise ssid at last, feeling as if the remark
were flash of inspiration.
Now the strawberries had been Sir AIlan's
peculiar pride. He had filed them with
new and rare conifers. with every variety
of Towering shrubs; they had been fed
with the most scientific preparations that
can enrich the soil; they had been watched
and sheltered from the frost, and cared
for as if they had been precious human
things.
-Yes, they are too levely,r said Grace
Il never SAW that picea nobilis look SC
superb as il does this year. My father is
SO proud Of it. And 10 think that he may
never see those trees again"
Here she began to cry. and
again Edward Colchester felt that
he was a 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
shrubbery paths, which they two had
trodden many time, gayly, carelessly, as
comrades and plsyfellows, in those remote
NGays before his friendly feeling for a
Nretty girl had ripened into passionate
We, before trouble or care had darkened
her young life. II was path completely
screened by conifers and evergreens 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, a
fantastic summer-house of carved wood
In which Mr. Colchester had often had 5
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 put the books together.
@Browning. Maud, La Petite Fadette,r
she said, as she gathered up the volumes.
~How happy was that last morning sat
here reading. Such warm morning
like July. Everything was so lovely, the
air so delicious. forgot that l had
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
love you"
II was all done in a moment. She was
In his arm, his beloved, accepting his de-
votion, the passive recipient of betrothal
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 lovers heart beating against her
own. She tore herself from his arms
~How can you, how can yous- she cried, |
reproechfully. TO talk of love when my |
father lies on his death-bed. / know they |
all believe it is his death bed I hate you
for such heartlessness."
-Gracie, is it heartlessness to adore you
% want TO comfort you in your sorluwg"
fe asked, reproachfully. Il have been
luietly worshiping YOU for year-wait-
ng, waiting for some sign of awakening
owe on your part. l should not have
Jared speak even yet, only to see You in
ears and not be able 20 comfort you was
90 much
You can not comfort me ! am full of
'rouble,' she answered passionately.
She had flung her books upon the table,
md had left the chalet hurriedly, and was
walking quickly along the path that led
% the house. He felt that she was angry
with him-that he had. as il were, violated
he sanctity of her sOrrow-and vet he be-
ieyed himself her accepted lover For
,ne delicious moment she had rested in
lis arms, her eyes had looked at him, not
n anger, bCt in answering love. Those
ips OF hers had yielded themselves to his
1sses. He knew that she loved him-that
le had but to wait for a more fitting time !,
o press his suit. And he had her father |
lpon his side, the good old colonel, too.
ie had fortune, youth, everything that
makes illness in union. And he knew of
20 likely rival Could he doub: that he |
houid win herr His heart glowed with !
riumph as he hurried after her sw.f # foo
teeps, overlook her. and stood at hec side.
Forgive me, Grace. ] will wait for a
appier day" he said
That day will never come for you and J
ae,' she answered, coldly ~Pray forget
hat you have been so foolish, as shall l
y 10 do"
-Forget those kisses' Never. Grace. "
NJ not be put off like this. will wait.
Will not even speak of my love until your c
lther Is out of danger-but you must not
arust me from you coldly; you must not
eny my right to claim you by and by"
Never, never, never she said Il tell l
cu it can never be- c
Then you do not love me- he a
led, seizing her hands, holding her ?
lere on the path, face to face with him, d
eside himself with love and anger "You n
ere deceiving me just now, or WAS mad n
nd deceived myself. You do not care a il
raw for me. Say that, Grace-only say h
at you don't care for me, and you shall "
syer see my face again" 5
She could not say il; nor for the life of b
n could she so belle her beating heart, s.
hich had gone out TO him as bird to its Il
st, which belonged TO him as a slave to il
n master. h
= can not engage myself to you," she Il
Id There are reasons 81
What reasonsy There can be no rea- ~
except that you detest me. Why not n
so at once, and make an end of the N
after; II there were obstacles would al
ercome them Give me one grain of love k
no bigger than a mustard scotland
'uld remove mountains But there are OIL
obstacles. We have everything on our -
lie. Your father likes me-he was my n,
ther's dearest friend-he would like to n,
,uld like to see us married" g,
! can never marry you" said Grace, ed
lily. "Why do YOU press me with Main