The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1888-11-22

the first time-perhaps you have hear,
my name-Mr. Darlington" The.
turning TO his friend-"ANo~ me t
present to you, Mr.. Gainsborough."
Quickly recovering my composure
| in turn introduced Miss Olilvie.
| could not help noticing how yer,
pale her face suddenly grew, and wha
a strange, dilated expression her eye
wore; but as w walked homeward,
soon forgot all else save the handsome
dark eyes which met my glance with
an answering smile in their BROW
depths.
Truly, Lucia was right! Mr.. Car
rington was one Of the noblest an(
handsomest of men.
We parted at the gate, l had MOI
been long in my room until the dool
opened, and Margaret came in. | saw
something was agitating her even be
fore she spoke.
Gertrude" she exclaimed. did Mr..
Darlington tell you how long his
friend was to stay with him?"
mo, | do not think we spoke Of
him." answered, slowly, wondering
at her manner and words.
She regarded me a moment, as il
d%oubtfully; then seating herself at my
feet, and taking my hand, she said:
my dear friend Qor l feel that you
are one), let me tell you my story, and
you will understand why | asked, and
why, If Reginald Gainsborough re-
mains in this neighborhood, l must
60"
You know him thenp' | asked.
Know him? Yes; he was once my
betrothsd husband. 1t is true" seeing
my look Of amazement-'and to-day
we met for the first time in four years.
Once | was not the poor governess you
now see, but with an indulgent father,
and every thing wealth could bring.
During that time l met Reginald, then
a poor teacher, and we loved each
other. When my lover asked my
father for his consent to our engage
ment, | shall never forget how angry
he was. | was very young and yield
ing, and when my father threatened
me with his curse if | resisted his
will, | consented to give my lover up.
| spoke to Reginald, though with
breaking heart, and severed our en-
gagement, Notwithstanding his pas
sionate pleadings. dared not do 9TH
erwise, for had been brought up to
consider tilial duty before all other
virtues, and my father was old. My
lover parted from me in anger. In
one short month things changed.
Reginald's uncle died, and left him an
immense fortune. 1t did not take long
for the new to reach my fathers ears,
and then he withdrew his restrictions,
me to write a conciliatory let
ter to my lover. But that was re-
quiring too much; my pride would not
stoop to such an act.
That week, very suddenly, my
father died. His affairs We're found to be
deeply Involved, and l understood then
why he had SO opposed my marrying
one who was not rich.
Since that time | have been earn
ing my ta Y lhdEEireeGl II " Was sal u hard strue.
gle; but your love, dear, has made this
place like home
How could you meet him so indif-
ferently" | asked, when she paused.
''Oh, Gertrude, life is a hard school!
When you r older, you, too, will be
able to control your emotions, and to
put a cold, proud mask over your
when necessary"
After that for many days, nothing
would induce Margaret to 60 out of the
house, and Dick, much aggrieved, was
to take me as a companion.
We often met Mr.. Darlington, though
low it was he invariably made his ap-
1earance, even when we changed the
course Of our walks, l could not tell.
At last, Mr.. G~ainsborough went
away, and then Dick was happy once
more in the society OF his dear gov
during Il rambles.
So things went on until Lucia's birth
lay. A grand party was to celebrate
he event, and at last | was to be al
owed to mingle among my cousins
| heard Lucia demonstrating
With her mother about something, and
he answer, remarkably decided for
peace-loving Aunt Howard, en-
ightencd me as to my cousins mean
ng.
"Shc is a child no longer, Lucia.
'he is seventeen almost. And | shall
lot have my sisters daughter kept out
n the cold all her life"
My first party-how ! did enjoy it!
again will things seem so rose
lued as they then appeared to my I'M
ccustomed eyes.
Miss Ogilvie, in black grenadine,
nth scarlet geraniums at her throat
nd waist, looked superb; but she
'ould persist in occupying a retired
Ook in the back drawing-room.
Mr.. Darlington was often at my
ide, and / could see Lucia's eyes shoot
chances at me now and then,
ut | was too happy to care.
Miss Gertrude" said my partner,
5 we promenaded together, do you
now that / expect my friend Mr..
'ainsborough will be here tonight?
nd that he has a particular reason
he has confded to me) for COM
lg?"
He watched my face keenly a mo-
tent.