The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-08-20

and the grace of self-possession in his
every movement. Dick had red hands and
big boots, and suggested bull in china
shop. Was there some mistake after
all?
A moment, and then he raised his
head, and she caught the old merry
smile and the flash of the quick gray
eyes; and half blinded and bewildered
with rush of recollection, Stella made
her way to the piano in obedience to
Mrs Boucher's smile and nod
Why had Mrs. Boucher asked her to
sing Golden Days?" It was Dicks
favorite song long ago, and Stella felt as
if it would choke her. Her voice shook
so that Mrs. Boucher's guests thought
their hostess had good deal over praised
her governess' style, and u Miss Verney
near by remarked to Sir Richard Eel
loves that she did not admire that trem0lo
kind of manner so many girls affected
q" All, for the golden days beyond recalling!
ALI. for the golden days!"
sang Stella, with something that was
like sob-so like that she pulled her.
self up sharply, and felt as if she had
fallen forever in her own respect.
AS she rose from the piano stool her
eyes met those of Sir Richard, who was
standing close to the piano. There was
nothing beyond the most casual recogni-
ton in the slight bow on both sides,
and then Stella got away somehow to
her own quarters, to find vent for the
passionate flow of tears that overcame
all her self-control.
The next day was to be the grand
garden party. Miss Howard was sup.
posed to be unostentatiously in the
background, dressed in her best, to
keep supervision over her little pupils.
ethel and Maud, wild with delight,
fastened her out to the tennis lawn long
before any one could possibly be ex-
pected to arrive.
"Just one little game before the
people come to the grounds, Miss How
ard. You know we may not play when
all the grown-up people are here. and
we do so want little tiny game" begged
the Children.
Miss Howard, mindful of her best
cream gown and the difficulties of ten.
/ mis- when combined with long gloves
and plumed hat, vainly endeavored to
escape.
"Only little scrap of play. All!
you know you can't refuse" they said.
And Stella was forced to laugh and
yield to their entreaties
So that the picture that met the eyes
of the idle gentleman who sauntered
down the shrubbery path among the
fragrant svringts, and turned the corner
OF the terrace steps-a girls figure in
creamy gown, vivid in the hot sun
against the trees and shrubbery; q shade
hat which threw into relief the crisp,
bronze hair and the soft flush on her
cheek, o racquet poised aloft. and
tiutter of white winged pigeons toward
the dark blue sky. He stopped short as
if spell-bound.
"Oh, Sir Richie, you're just in time!
Come along and have game with Miss
Howard-do, dol" cried the children.
Stella turned with violent start; the
racquet slipped from her gloved hand
and struck her left wrist violent blow.
The pain turned her faint aud giddy,
and she felt herself grow white to the
very lips
mo, no, young woman," she heard
the voice that WAS SO like, yet SO unlike
the voice of other days say. "Miss
Howard won't play with me-she never
would"
Then he turned to her with sudden
change from the laughing tone:
Have you hurt your arm? I am
afraid startled you" and he came for
ward hastily.
But Stella drew away as he approached
"Nothing-it is nothing: pray don't
trouble" she said, almost Grossly.
And as a stream of gayly dressed
people emerged from the conservatory,
aud began to spread themselves over the
terrace and approach the lawn, Stella
turned and fled into the shrubbery.
She had reached the fountain by the
statue of the dancing fawn before she
was overtaken.
Pardon me-" said her pursuer, in q
tone that was certainly not Dicks-it
was too commanding. II do not want