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


happyl Every thing has been explained.
Reginald has loved me through all.
even ~bon he thought me a selfish.
worldly girl; and now thai he knows
he was wrong. be loves me even better
than before
The next day I awoke with a strange.
burning sensation in my head. and
when ! e-sayed to rise. my limbs re-
fused their Office. That was the first
Of the fever that made NE for many
months unconscious OF aught but SUI
ferins. Then. a. the days went by.
and grew convaleseent. / remembered
certain tender words some one had said
to me the night OF the party.
"Luciar'-f called her name softly
as she passed through the room-''has
Mr.. Darlington called to inquire for me
since have been siciSf'
Lsei1 smiled "a she came to my side.
What a strange question: As II a
gentleman Of society would think twice
Of a mere child like your
Then | had been mistaken. and II
was only vanity which prompted the
thought that I was something more
than q mere child to Mr.. Darlington.
by the way. Gertie. did you know
all along Of Miss Ogilvie's engagement
to that rich Mr.. Gainsborough? What
a sly puss you were to keep secret so
well,''
But did not heed Lucia's further
words, for, with my eye-lids closed.
was forcing back the tears which
would come at the thought that Mr..
! Darlington had not cared enough for
me even to make a passing inquiry.
One mild. sunny day. / felt so much
stronger. an irresistible desire for
change stirred within me. Without
asking permission l descended the
stairs, aud lay down upon a lounge ia
the sitting-roOm-
Lucia was singing in the parIor, aunt
[ busy with some household duties and
Margaret in the school-room with Dick.
50 / was all alone
Suddenly. through the open window
Fear me. cluster OF fragrant rose
buds vas thrown into my lap.
AT last" cried a glad voice. EAT
last see you again?n
Before a moment had passed the
owner of the voice had followed the
roses into the room
IL was Mr.. Darlington. I held out
my hand rather coldly. He took it
and went on:
How glad 1 am to speak with you
once more! have tried day after day
to see you, but your cousin Lucia has
declared it an impossibility. So /
have waited patiently. hoping you
would recover enough to see me and
bid me goodbye before go abroad
My expression must have been rathe--
confused. for he noticed it. and sud
den thought seemed to come to him.
Have you not heard Of my visits. or
received the flowers | sent you every
daysr
But by this time had rallied myself,
and though Lucia's deception (Which
might have sent my friend from me
to me. to screen her quickly turned
the topic OF conversation.
Are you going away very soon7r
asked. looking up.
An eager light sprang into his dark
face.
Miss Gertrude. would yoa career
My eyes fell upon his earnest gaze.
and grasping my hands. rosebuds and
all. in both his own. he spoke again.
What he said Is sacred between him
and me- But | was right. after all,
and Mr. Darlington did love HE. little
Gertrude Ward; and before he left me
had promised to make haste and get
quite well, and then accompany him
upon his travels abroad
Aunt Howard persisted that Miss
Ogilvie should be married from her
house. and l stood as bridesmaid
Lucia's manner towards the pro.nised
bride Of the wealthy Mr. G. ainsbor-
ough was very different to what it had
always been to Dicks governess; and
when Mr.. Darlington asked nv aunt's
sanction to his engagement with my
self, /. from the height of my own
happiness. truly pitied her in her dis
appointment
But, Notwithstanding do not feel IA
IL Lucia in her heart really likes me.
she Is very willing to enjoy the bene-
ITS her cousins position and means
can give her. and outwardly. at least,
we are good friends. often hear
from my dear Margaret. and very soon
| expect long visit from her and her
noble. devoted husband.-N !. Ledqer