Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1888-11-15


uy nane-Mr. Darlington Then
turning 10 his friend-"AGc~ nc 60
present to you. Mr.. Gainsb0rcugh.
Quickly recovering my comSosure.
i in turn introduced Miss Ogilvie.
| could not help noticing how very
pale her face suddenly grew. end what
n strange. dilated expression her eyes
wore; but az va walked hOmeward. /
soon forgot all else save the handsome.
dark eyes which met my glance with
an answering smile in their brown
depths
Truly, Lucia was right, Mr.. Car
ringtOn was one % the nOblest and
handsomest % men.
We parted At the gate had not
been long In my room until the door
opened. ard Margaret came in saw
something was agitating her even be-
fore she spoke.
GERTRUDE she exclaimed. did Mr..
Darlington toll you how long his
friend was to stag with hima~
NO. do not think We spoke Of
him. answered. slowly. wondering
at her manner and words.
She regarded me moment. as n
dOubtfully; then seating herself Mt ny
feet. and taking ms hand, she said;
My dear friend tfor feel that you
are onel. let ne tell you my story. and
you viii understand why asked. and
why. II Reginald Gainsborough re-
mains in this neighborhOOd. must
GO
You know him then2T I asked.
Know him2 Yes; he was once NV
betrothsd husband. II Is true. " seeing
my look Of amazemeht- land to-day
we met for the first time in four years.
Once was not the poor governess you
now see, but with an indulgent father.
and every thing wealth could bring.
During that time | met Reginald. then
a poor teacher. and We loved each
other When my lover asked nv
father for his consent to our engage
ment. shall never forget how angry
he was was very young and Yield
ing. and when my father threatened
me with his curse IL resisted his
will. | consented to give my lover u D.
spoke 20 Reginald. though with
breaking heart, and severed our en-
gagement. notwithstanding his pas
sionate pleadings. Idared not do 9TH
erwise. for had been brought up to
consider tilial duty before all other
virtues, and my father was old. NV
lover parted from me in anger. In
one short month things changed.
Reginald's uncle died. and left him an
immense fortune. II did not take long
for the news TO reach my fathers ears,
and then he withdrew his restrictions,
telling me TO write conciliatory let
ter to my lover. But that was re-
quiring too much; my pride would not
stoop to such an act.
That week. very suddenly, nv
father died His affairs were found to be-
deeply involved. and understood then
why he had so opposed my marrying
one who was not rich
Since that time / have been earn
ing my own living. as you know. and
until came here it was hard strug-
gle but your love, dear, has made this
place like home
How could you meet him so indif-
ferentlys asked. when she paused.
oh. Gertrude. life Is hard school
When you are older. you. too. will be
able to control your emotions. and to
put cold. proud mask over your
features when necessary"
After that. for many days. nothing
would induce Margaret to go out OF the
house. and Dick. much aggrieved. was
obliged to take me as a companion.
We often met Mr.. Darlington. though
how il was he invariably made his ap-
peaFance. even when we changed the
course ofour walks. could not tell
At last, Mr.. tsainsborough went
away, and then Dick was happy once
more in the society of his dear gov
erness during our rambIes.
SO things went on until Lucia's birth
day A grand party was to celebrate
the event. and at last | was to De al
lowed TO mingle among my cousins
guests | heard Lucia demonstrating
with her mother about something. and
the answer, remarkably decided for
easy. peace-loving Aunt Howard, en-
lightened me as to my cousins mean
ing.
she is a child no longer. Lucia
She Is seventeen almost And | shall
not have my sisters daughter kept out
in the cold all her life -
Ny first party-how did enjoy it,
Never again will things seem so rose
hued a. they then appeared to my IN
accustomed eyes.
Miss Ogilvie, in black grenadine,
with scarlet geraniums at her throat
and waist. looked superb; but she
would persist in occupying a retired
nook in the back drawing-room-
Mr.. Darlington was often az nv
side. and | could see Lucia's eyes shoot
scornful glances at me now and then.
but | was too happy to care
Miss Gertrude. said my partner.
as We promenaded together, do you
know that l expect my friend Mr..
Gainsborough will be here tonight
And that he has particular reason
(Which ne has confded to mel for COM
ing7-
He watched my face keenly a mo-
ment.
Il see, he said; Miss Ogilvie has
told you that she once knew Reginald
(.aiusbc-ouarb H., = -. -