The Irish standard., 1888-02-11

stTake care, Dorcas! you will upset the
boat. Yes, it is really me in the flesh; rath-
er too substantial looking for q ghost, am
not" were his words.
I dropped his arm as quickly as though he
had struck me. His cold tone, his entire alb
sence Of welcome to me, chilled me to the
heart. I felt instantly that all was changed.
He had forgotten me, and such q weight OF
misery as settled upon me then and there
hope, kind reader, you may never know.
We had reached the shore now, and, un-
needing his profered assistance, clam
bered out, and before he could detain me, I
sped up the narrow path to the house, and,
ei tering noiselessly, Preached my own room
" ds wet from my fall in the lake, my hair
disheveled and hanging loose about my
face was forlorn looking object enough,
but my looks were fit accompaniments to
my feelings. Mechanically L removed my
wet dress and then crouched down in the
darkest corner like whipped spaniel,
wringing my hands in dumb, helpless agony
at my disappoint ntments.
CHAPTER vI.
This. then, was the end of all my foolish
dreams of Oliver Dudley the end of the
firm, true friendship had felt so sure
would spring up between us on his return!
Had he not promised me to be my friend!
All! but that was long ago; he had forgot
ten me now, and my cheeks burned as re-
mcmbcred my eager welcome and his chilli
ing reply.
Sitting thus in the dark could hear the
sound Of music and mirth from the drawing
rcora where, had no doubt, the family and
tneir guests were assembled. This did not
al - , of,, mn fa
Presently Maggie burst into the room in
her usual inpusive fashion.
ssWhat, miss, sitting in the dark?" she
cried. "Why, whatever is the matter,
dear?'' she continued, lighting the lamp and
noticing my wet, tangled hair and dis
ordered appearance.
s'Nothing at ALL" I answered, sullenly.
tsI went out for walk aud got wet"
"Well, well, that's too badn' said good
naturcd Maggie, seating herself on the edge
of the bed, as she often did, for a friendly
chat.
ssOh' she began, sits fine times they're
havin' in the parlors this evening. There's
more company come. That young gent
that was here once afore, though / don't
suppose You remember it, you We're such a
little chick then. Well, he is been travel
in in fulrin parts and now he is come back.
They say lie is no end Of rich, and Miss
Irma, it's plain to see, is mighty anxious to
look fine in his eyes; and she does look fine,
dear, though hate to say it, she is such
hateful piece; but she is just lovely in her
pink velvet with such lace and diamonds
gittering all over her. And Mr. Dudley,
SO Norah says, brought her a jewel case, the
most beautiful thing you ever see,'' went
on Maggie. sEut you don't seem to care
fo,~ - r. Mica H0r,.in Ara va 9iliY;1
any thng?"
ssNo Maggie" answered, drearily, 'but
my head aches and I'm going to bed soon.
Don't mind me at supper, do not want
any,"
And Maggie, seeing that did not care for
her presence, finally left ME alone. Then MY
anger blazed forth. Before Maggie's en-
trance I had been trying in blind way TO
find some excuse for Mr.. Dudley's cool and
Indifferent welcome to me, and was ready
to believe he had not been Intentionally un-
kind, only a little vexcd at my act Of dis
obedience. But now was satisfied, said.
Ali my pride rose in arms at the thought
that should crave his friendship, which he
withheld. He had come. Yesand fairly
laughed in my bitter self-scorning - my
friend, my king, my ideal hero had come.
He had treated me kindly; yes, kindly as he
would have treated a beggar in the street
who had asked him for a penny. He saved
you from drowning, said my conscience. AS
he would have saved d dog, answered, Bit
terly His presents, his smiles, were for
Ir1na Barrett beautiful, rich, golden-hai
Irrna Barrett, the heiress OF Caledon
Heights. Preposterous then that a beg
carly dependent should aspire to the friend
ship OF regard of one so far above her.
f,;r lco+he1 rovcc1f havin ,,uays
loved or trusted him. Why did love or
trust any one? Surely no one had ever re-
turned my love. Was / not d wretched
founding from my birth, a cast-oT waif
whom no one cared to own; and is it
strange, said, that when ones own par
ents forsake them that others should not
feel any great interest or love for them. No
it was not, but it made my bitter lot none
the easier to bear, to know this. I sat up
and Wrung my hands in rage and hate to-
ward every one. / hated the parents who
had cast me off, said. I hated the low
bred servants l had been compelled to as
sociate with when my spirit told me was
fitted or born for better company. But
above all i hated Mrs. Clayton and her
daughter, who, always imagined, in o
vague way, stood between me and better
lot
Gradually my anger suoslded, ana oe-
came cal1ner; but a resolve had formed it,
self in my nlind, and that was that would
no longer remain dependent at Caledon; Z
could certainly earn my living, now was
nearly fifteen years of age. would try,
any way; any thing was better than living
here, said. would go at once, woulG
not wait to be banished to the dull farm
house as knew I should be.
In my feverish eagerness / arose and
gathered together my few belongings, tie6
them in bundle aud then sat down tc
write q note to MIR. Dudley, thanking him
for his timely aid the evening before, but
telling hi1n nothing of my intended depart
-; + a. " >a< 49,
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