Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1888-10-19
MisGeHAuenns.
A MAYNARD GIRL.

Eight o'clock and Laura not here.
She never kept me waiting like this be-
fore" as,t
II And handsome Enrol Brand drew his
brows together and pulled at his tawny
mustache impatiently. gu
TWAS picturesque place that he and
Laura Ray had chosen for their meeting,
wooded glen, intersected by tiny
brook and tonight the moonlight, fall
ing between the interlacing branches, en-
HANGED the scene, and brought the beau
ty Of each work Of nature into distinct
ness. aa
Enrol walked to and fro brief while,
and then paused to glance up the narrow
path.
In the distance he saw what appeared
TO be the autter Of light draperies then
II disappeared, and after straining bis
eyes for second glimpse, no turned
away with a sigh.
~Ihat is nat I.alrp p he thonoht
"She - baye been 10 my arms ere
this her flying feet would have trav-
ersed that space in an Instant"
| But. as il in contradiction to bis va
~ slender girlish form now appeared j
the glen, and Enrol turned with gla
cry.
why, l thought" he began, the
stopped as he saw that the girl held her
self from him with digniied attitude an,
outstretched hand.
Laura, what is the matter ?" h
asked.
| Sho raised her head, and he saw tina
her face was pale, her lips set, her eye
reproachful.
II came here tonight because
promised" she said, in low, steady tones
"but shall never come again"
"What does this mean 2" he faltered
"Why, Laura, are you possessed o.
your senses, or is this cruel jest p
II am quite sane," she said with ,
little, sharp laugh. II was mad before
Enrol Brand, mad when | promised to
meet you here without the knowledge o
my grandmother, mad whom / though
you were doing naught but amusing
yourself at the expense of poor, mex
perienced girl. But | am not mac
now"
| Enrol looked bewildered, and it wal
evident, even to her, that he did moi
comprehend the meaning Of her words
Laura, | do not understand you,
am stupefed," he said, drawing nearer
"Let me look into your eyes"
He placed his hand under her chin
and raised her face to the moonlight, 0
pretty childish face above which the ricl
auburn curls clustered in attractive con
fusion, face that was usually radian
and rosy, but now wore look Of bag
gard care and set defiance.
The delicate red lips were drawn, th,
nostrils dilated, the dark, hazel eyes me
his steadily moment, and then push
ing his hand aside, Laura burst int
tears.
II cannot help it," she sobbed. re
sisting every effort Hfrpa made to ORA,
uGt 10 him and S2cthe her. I'm veal
foolish creature, but want you e un
derstand, Enrol Brand, Pm not cryini
for your sake"
He smiled despite his anxiety, am
She, seeing that smile, misinterpreted it
Passion dried her tears.
"Yes, laugh at me" she cried, stamp
ing her tiny foot. "You are like all tn
others. they abuse me and slight me
and then laugh and sneer."
Laura" cried Enrol, aghast, "wha
are you sayingT
at is true" she cried, too angry an
chagrined to realize that she was divulg
ing a secret that she had kept throug
pride for many months. at is true,
am miserable at home. Ever since pap
died / have been treated like depend
emit He left all his money to my step
mother, because she made him believ
she Owed mo as she did her own daugh
ter, aud be trusted her so. And not
am nobody and Marian is all in oil
I wouldn't care if they treated me kind
y, but they don't, oh they don't, an
TIA going to run away"
Errol held out his hand, while a loo
Of pity came into bis eyes, but Laur
dashod it aside.
and now you are like all the rest,
she said passionately. "You deceiv
; me and scorn me-"
4 scorn you. Laura r he asked wor
dsringly. "Why, love you, dear ?
oh, you tell me that because | am
child, and you think will believe IL.
know-"
Enrol faced her with a look Of resc
iu'ion on bis handsome, dark face.
Laura, listen to me-" he said firml,