Daily Republican., 1888-08-15
a wAXwARD GIRL,
BY aUIAEvERK.


meetings, q wooded glen, intersected
10y tiny brook; and tonight the
moonlight. falling between the inter.
lacing branches, enhanced the scene.
and brought the beauty OF each work
OF nature into distinctness.
Enrol walked TO and fro brief
while, and then paused to glance up
the narrow path.
In the distance he saw what appear
ed to be the tlutter of light draperies;
then It disappeared, and after straining
his eyes for second glimpse, he turn
led away with sigh.
THAT is not Laure," he thought.
,sbe would have been in my arms ere
this; her flying feet would have ira
Versed that space in an instant.'
But, as II in contradiction TO his
words, slender, girlish form now ap
peared in the glen, and Enrol turned
with glad cry.
why, | thought" he began,
then stopped as he saw that the girl
held herself from him with dignifed
latitude and outstretched hand.
Laure, what is the matterP" he
asked,
She raised her head, and he saw
that her face was pale, her lips set,
her eyes reproachful.
81 came here tonight because |
promised" she said, in low, steady
tones, but l shall never come again. :
What does this mean7" he faltered,
why, Laure, are you possessed OF
your senses, or is this cruel jestP"
II am quite sane" she said, with a
little. sharp laugh. 81 was mad be-
fore, Enrol Brant, mad when / prom.
ised TO meet you here without the
knowledge of my stepmother, mad
when l listened to you and believed
you, mad when ! thought you were
doing aught but amusing yourself at
the expense Of poor, inexperienced
girl. But l am not mad now"
Enrol looked bewildered, and 1t was
evident, even 10 her, that he did not
comprehend the meaning of her
words.
"Laure, | do not understand you; |
am stupetied," be said, drawing nearer.
Let me look into your eyes,"
he placed his hand under her chin |
and raised her face to the moonlight, a
pretty. childish face about which the
rich auburn curls clustered In attrac.
tive confusion, a face that was usually
radiant and rosy, but now wore look
.of haggard care and set defiance.
The delicate red lips were drawn,
the nostrtls dilRted the dark, hazel
eyes met his steadily moment, and
then, pushing his hand aside, Laure
burst into tears.
u cannot help it," she sobbed, re-
sisting every effort Enrol made to
draw her To him and soothe her. "I'm
a weak, foolish creature, but l want
you to understand, Enrol Brant, I'm
not crying for your sake"
lie smiled despite his anxiety, and
she, seeing that smile, misinterpreted
1t. Passion dried her tears,
Eyes, laugh at me-" she cried,
stamping her tiny foot. "You are
like all the rest-they abuse me and
slight me, and then laugh and sneer."
"Laure." cried Enrol, aghast,
what are you sayingS'
1T is true,' she cried, too angry
and chsgrined to realize that she was
1ivulging secret that she had kept |
through pride for many months. alt
s true, am miserable at home. Ever
'ince papa died have been treated
ike dependent He left all his
money to her, my stepmother, be-
,ause she made him believe she loved
ne as she did her own daughter, and
le trusted her so. And now am t
lobody and Marian is all In all. C
care if they treated me kind
y, but they don't-oh, they don't, and
I'M going to run away
Enrol held out his hand, while a
ook of pity came into his eyes, but h
IauFe dashed It aside. c
And now you are like all the rest"
he said, passionately. "You deceive L
ne and scorn me-"
II seorn you, Laurel" he asked,
Vonderingly. "Why | love you, 9
lear, +"
"Oh, you tell me that because / am '
Child, and you think l will believe n
!. know"
Enrol faced her v it'll resolution on
is handsome, dark face. n
"Laure, listen to me-" he said firm n
2. Explain your words, your ac- Il
ons; give me chance to clear myself
these astonishing charges. E" 8,
II will tell you ALL" said Laure,
rown suddenly calm. 'I was on my
gy to meet you tonight when | a.
my stepmother and Marian
liking. | would not have listened
ut | heard my name. 'The little up h,
art, Marian was saying, we must fc
eep her in her proper place, else there
ill be trouble when old Arleigh's
IN arrives. 'Yes,' said her mother, In
will see to that. You and Mark ii
rleigh's son shall marry. He is m
'ming here to ask for your hand, aud
iere must be no one to interfere. re
ou see they are afraid of me, afraid | m
i'll tell some unpleasant truths, or
aybe"-with a bitter laugh-"win
or lovers heart "
yes" said Enrol, with an odd te
cam in his eyes. pE
well, listened; heard them talk L
e affair all over. You are Mark Ar. 90
igh's son.
Enrol staggered as if he had been IA
ot. and Laure laughed mockingly. M se
"Oh, know all; you are Enrol 81, ~
rant Arleigh, and you are to marry h,
y step-sister, and you came here un- III
r an assumed name, and-and-oh, Sc
hate you'll" bll
'Hear me-" he said hoarsely, but ID.
9 only crested head and flashed an tn
CRY glance at him. fol
you cannot deny it," she cried. by