The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-07-21

all told plainly that she, too, loved him.
 How I sufferedl In my mad jeal. ousy I grew almost to hate the child He loved me before she came, with heI beautiful, flower like face. to rob me of that love. Was she blind that shs did not see we were betrothed? ] prayed that she might go away and leave us to ourselves once more, and Robert would go back to his old fond ways. His caresses were growing colder, his kisses lighter. I spoke ot his seeming neglect. He answered lightly, taking both nay hands in his and looking fondly at me.
 "Nonsense. Mattiel Do you know, my little girl, that you are growing nearer and dearer to me every day?"
 For time was satisfied, trying to be content with but 6 share of his love.
 We were seated in the garden, one afternoon in the early autumn, Robert, Kathleen and I. She was looking un- usually handsome in 6 dress of soft Indian null. My lover had just paid her well-merited compliment, for which she was about to make a gra- oious reply, when Aunt Martha came to us.
 "Robert," she said, placing her hand fondly on his shoulder as she spoke, twill you gather some grapes for me? l find that some of the punches hang too high. The girls will go with you and hold the basket"
 He rose to comply with her request. Kathleen was at his side in a moment, while refused to join them, feigning a severe headache.
 "They do not want me-" reasoned with myself.
 l watched them as they walked away together, he carrying the little wicker basket and she tossing her bright curls with that coquettish air that came 80 natural to her.
 cannot tell you what tempted me to follow them. It must have been some evil genius. Slowly I followed down the pathway, taking every pre- caution, however. not to be observed. Seated upon a little rustic bench, could see every movement of my lover and Kathleen.
 How lovely she looked standing in the orchard, the sunlight falling athwart the lovely upturned face, on which a smile rested! Never was seen fairer vision. Her sleeve of soft texture falling back showed the shapely outstretched arm.
 Sometimes peal of merry laughter would fall upon my ear. They did not miss me-not even Robert, he was content with Kathleen.
 The basket was full to overfowing, and still they fingered. One bunch of luscious grapes, the last gathered, was in Roberts hand. He stopped to place it with the others, when their eyes met, their hands touched. Was dreaming? Alas! no. I saw him stoop and kiss her fondly. I waited no longer. With a cry of pain I turned and fled to the seclusion of my own room, where l sobbed out the trouble of my young heart, with only God to hear me.
 l went away quite unexpectedly. I was homesick told Aunt Martha. 1 left a letter for Rob- ert, giving no explanation of my con- duct, simply telling him it was better we should part. Twas proud girl and would not stoop to acknowledge g rival.
 remember taking the ring he had given me from my hand, and what a struggle it cost me to place it with that letter--the last I should ever write to Robert.
 came home to mother, who was quite an invalid and needed all my care. I never heard from Robert save once, through Aunt Martha, who wrote:
 "Of course, Hattie, you've not for gotten Robert, whom, to speak can- didly, you treated rather unkindly. He has gone to New York to practice medicine. He is doing we'll"
 An old newspaper had fallen into my hands, where an account was given of brilliant reception. Among tuC uCctb WClC tiIC nnhiCo OA AsOO~ ert Preston, and wife. I knew it was Robert and Kathleen. made no in- quiries, and receiving no further in- formation took it for granted that Aunt Martha's kindness of heart pre- vented her from referring to the past. I closed my heart forever. The world will never know me as a disappointed woman, thought, fiattering myself that had quite succeeded in deceiv- ing humanity in general, until the gossip had come upon me with her idle words, bringing to life the bitter past that I thought I he'd buried years ago.
 "Going to service, Miss Kenwood '"
 1t was Jly neighbor who asked me