Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-09-30

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"Does she not want them ?" che ask
ed.
"No; they are mine. / bought
them"
land You wonder that he ceased to
love a girl who could sell his letters 2"
Her indignation was beautiful.
a" He could not foresoo that she would
do that. He treated her heartlessly, and
che has grown reckless, and is leaving
England to-day"
Leslie answered nothing. / felt quite
crestfallen, and was silent, too. Presently
che came TO me, put her arm on my
shoulder, and said
You are a dear, good creature. but so
misled--so mistaken. Some day know
you will own yourself wrong, and then
/ shall not know how 10 love you
enough"
had other letters telling Of Mr.. Pen
nel's debts improvidence, and so on,
which Leslie read because of her
promise 10 do so, and ! began 70 think
that they were producing an effect, be-
cause sne began to look pale and
anxious
in the park she said to me
"Charlie proposes to wait Outside
with two horses that / may slip out in
the cleaning and ride away with him. "
"Oh, Leslie, you viii not" J cried.
"Never. | will 60 to ny wedding
openly. But his constant urgency wears
me out | must promise something.
He will be content il say 1 will marry
him when | come OF age"
That is soon, III a few weeks Oh.
wait, my dear girl, wait little longer "
"He Sanis me, she said simply lin
decd ! think he really needs me he is
poor and | am rich If he Is to be my
husband, is 1t not night that should do
all can to help him 2"
"He ia working upon your feelings ;
he knows how good you are. / know
the world, aud, believe me, few weeks
moro delay cannot iniure him; it is i'm
possible. Promise him that you Will
settle everything the day you come Of
age"
IL will, and l hope be will be con-
tent.
How shall save you, my poor dar-
ling ? / thought. lie will win you az
much through your generosity as your
love. Already he trades with his sins
for your compassion; ne fears lie can
not keep quite straight without your
sweet support. / know the cant OF such
persuasion. And when a woman loves a
rake she always believes herself his
sole chance OF salvation, yet never
c0mpasses aught but her own ruin.
Has be changed his tactics because
ms love is so PLAYED ont that he cannot
even make it look grand on paper?
gsspcd with delight as this idea shot
through my mind. 1t opened another
possibility of rescue for my darling.
AGAIN and again | declined TO ride be-
cause Of the pressure of my correspond
ence. ] would not trespass on the eve
nings Leslie and / were scrupulous IN
deyoting them to the old couple, who
were the kindest Of hosts and guardians
and showed nothing of the anxiety and
trouble that knew we're pressing heavily
upon them.
Soon my writing ceased. and my atti-
tude was that OF the conspirator, stand
ing, fuse III hand, ready at given sig
nal to fire the train and explode the
mine ! had so carefully prepared.
waited and waited for the signal. The
days passed we0rily. 1t was then 1
learned that tune is sometimes leaden-
footed and is forced to fold lis wings
and creep along.
At last my signal came. | went to
Mrs. WYATT and said 81 want TO take a
holiday for a couple Of days to visit a
friend in Norfolk. and should like to
take Leslie with me"
by all means, dear friend the
change will do you good. l have
thought you were looking harassed
lately" The dear, kind old face looked
quite pleased at the idea Of pleasure for
me.
went to Leslie and said : 81 have to
visit an old schoolfellow just for a day or
50. 1t is long way, and l cannot bear
travelling alone. lwish you would come
with me it would be doing me a great
favor"
IL will come, of course. You know |
would DO anything for youth reason.
The beautiful eyes had little re-
proach in them as she said the last words.
When we were seated in the train Les
lie told mo she meant to enjoy herself
thoroughly, and was resolved to think OF
nothing that could trouble her. And
throughout our long journey she was in
terested in everything; found humor II
little incidents that seemed to me trivial
laughed merrily, and was altogether 50
gay and Joyous that more than once the
feeling camo over me that l must be
travelling in a dream and should soon
wake a find myself alone in ny room at
Hurst Lodge.
We drove about all the next morning,
visiting the Town Hall, several churches,
one not very ancient rum and, best oil
all, the market, picturesque old place,
with heaps OF flowers and pretty cone
made baskets holding ferns that took
Leslie's fancy greatly. She bought one
for her aunt. We wanted to make the
most Of one day, so lunched at little
roadside inn, and then continued our
drive. and were home about five to an
early dinner, after which We walked IL
the garden.
My friends residence was a semi-de-
tached villa, SO the garden was much
wider than the house And on this extra
width was O lawn Of softest turf the
wall was rather low. but above 1t was
green lattice-wOrk, covered with creep
els, and beyond corresponding grass
plot for the next house.
We all walked close to the creeper'
covered wall for the sake of the fragrance
Of the flowers; and when my friend was
called away Leslie and / continued &c
pace up and down. The girl was still
very cheerful, and kept me amused 10y
her bright little speeches but all the
time | was etraining my ears 10 catch the
sound of voices on the other side of thC
wall.
off we could bottle up some Of this
air it might prove a new elixir, for sure.
" it has made me grow younger. fee
! like a eiddy school girl to-day"
The change in tone of the last few
words told me that Leslie had recog'
niz, d the voice that l only heard.
~ said in clear. penetrating utter