Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-05-30
..MY dear boY!p she said, her affection.

nard, hoarsely-he could not dissemble
with such dear old friend-''if she did
not look so miserablem
Yes, that was where the sting lay. If
she had seemed happy he could have
blamed himself for his own folly in ever
hoping to win her, and, moreover, he
would have congratulated her boldly to
make sure of the truth. But she looked
so wretched whenever he met her with
her new companion, though she made
evident efforts to conceal her feelings,
that he could not trust himself to ap-
proach the subject.
If Mrs. Morrison were right it must be
a foolish youthful engagement now re-
pented of, and if she were to own as much
to him he did not know what he might be
tempted to say or suggest. His only
safety lay in avoiding her, while he yet
cherished faint hope that there might be
some mistake. So for three whole days
he absented himself from the Lawn-a
marked proceeding on his part, indeed.
Sunday was wet and stormy. In the
evening the wind and rain were so un-
usual for the time of the year that he had
half mind to stay at home. But Ellie
never missed evening service, end jeal-
Gus desire to know if she would give it
up for her lover drove him to church
again.
From his lonely seat of state in the
chancel he would watch the young couple
in their distant pew. There they sat side
by side, apparently content. He watched
them all through the service, and when
he saw the sailor deliberately shut his
hymn book in order to share hers it was
confirmation of his worst fears.
He did not blame Ellie; he was tco
loyal for that. OF course, knowing her.
self engaged, she had accepted his at
tention unthinkingly, and now had
awakened to the bitter truth too late.
Service over, he joined the stream OF
people that issued slowly from the church.
Ellie fingered in the porch, being wrapped
2ecurely from the storm by her lover.
''That's all right, Nell," he said
cheerily. "Now take my arm and hang
on tight; we shall do well enough under
one umbrella"
'Nel!" Then he had his own name
for her. That destroyed the last vestige
of hope, and Bernard Hayes sought his
way slowly home, feeling sort of relief
in his strife with the raging wind.
Tomorrow he would leave Woodleigh.
He could not stay to see Ellie look like
that any longer. Her white sad face
seemed to haunt him; he would go away
and forget it.
The next day he too, wall through
the woods where Ellie had so sternly &C.
buked him, and which he had since
learned to know we'll, under her guidance.
His thoughts were. full of her as he
loitered under the arching boughs, and as
he turned the corner OF G long green ride
he came face to face with Ellie herself.
She could not help the glad surprise
that shone swiftly in her eyes, nor the
smile that lit up her whole face. Botl
were gone in an instant, but Bernard had
seen them.
81 did not know that you were here,
she said, in excuse.
II am only here for a last walk" ht
said. ''I am starting fo- Norway in ;
day or two"
''Oh, indeed" Her disappointment
found expression in her voice, despite hel
care.
Bernard was desperate; he must know
the truth at all costs. like, he wen'
clumsily, even cruelty, to work.
~ am glad to see you before go;
wished to congratulate you," he sale
abruptly.
"To congratulate NE! On what?"
"On your engagement to Mr.. Lang
ley"
It was out now, and he should know
the worst.
Ellie turned on him imperiously;
sudden flash of instinct told her all.
"Who told you that was engaged t.
George Langley" she demanded.
"Mrs. Morrison" and he detailed tn
remarks she had overheard.
''If she had listened to the end Of tina
conversation she would have heard tn
answer. 'Neverp" cried Ellie, indis
nantly. "I knew that there were two oh
,, Kensington friends of ours in that train
| for George saw them and told me. On
is an inveterate gossip and matchmaker
the other knows us well and would hav
contradicted such foolish report a
once" .........
"Then you are not engaged to hime
F., cried Bernard, eagerly.
"No, nor ever shall be. He is m
S cousin, and we have been like brother an
r sister all our lives, but we could never car
s for each other in any other way" Ellie
: tone betrayed her wounded feeling.
e "Ellie, my darling, what a fool I hav
e been! Thought you were engaged to hin
and / was going away because could ne
s bear to see you and know that you coul
never be mine. Itis who have blundere
s this time. Can you ever forgive me9"
d Her hands were held in his, his ey'
e were looking into hers. On the very spc
where first they met, Ellie looked L
slyly, blushing, and whispered, eyes"
II never should have thought that yc
-; would have believed such thing 81
is said, with little reproachful accent {
the 'syou" that went to her lovers hear
" 'I must have been mad, think,
answered. "But | could not dfstru
e what seemed the evidence of my ov
!, eyes"
"Ithouglit you knew all about George
1r cba cold ttHo 10 on orphon ap6 hic hon