The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-06-13

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to it.
Half way down the quaint village
street he met Ellie. She was not alone.
Bv her side loitered a young man with
il fair bushy beard, whose air and gait
spoke Enthusiastically the sailor. She
had a detected look, and Bernard S
practiced glance noticed at once that
she was dressed in careless, negligent
way, as though her appearance was
beneath consideration.
She looked across the road. and
smiled and nodded at him, and half
hesitated, as though expecting him to
come over and join her. He merely
bowed and hurried on to the vicarage
Mrs. Morrison was tying up carna-
tions iu the garden, and he Joined her
there.
Have you seen Miss Fairfax this
morning?" he asked.
Yes, saw her go by just now."
''Who is that with her?"
Mrs. Morrison was silent for mo-
ment; then she said quietly: 1.-The man
she is engaged to-"
"How do you know she is engaged?"
cried Bernard fiercely.
strangely enough, l heard it in
the train yesterday. 1t seems to be a
secret, but wish l had known it be-
fore"
Mrs. Morrison went on tying up her
flowers.
II couldn't have believed it of her?"
she said at last.
81 don't believe it. There is some
81 am afraid not. There were two
ladies in my carriage yesterday who
saw him get out here. One said, why,
there is George Langleyr and the other
oh. that is Ellie Fairfax's
fiance. How very odd! When is that
OFF, and then / was obliged
to get out myself, SD heard no more.
But L am afraid that it must be true"
There was no reply; she looked up
after moments pause and
the haggard face and gloomy eyes
that met her gaze went to her heart.
MY dear boy" she said, her affec-
tionate tone full of sympathy.
81 wouldn't mind SO much.' said
Bernard, hoarsely, ''if she did not look
80 miserable"
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. But she
looked so wretched whenever he met
her with her new companion that he
could not trust himself to approach
the subject.
If Mrs. Morrison were right it must be
a foolish youthful engagement now re-
pented OF, and if shewere to ownas much
to him he did not know what he might
be tempted to say or suggest. His
own safety lay in avoiding her, while
he yet cherished faint hope that
there might be some mistake. So, for
two 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 year that he had
half mind to stay at home. But
Ellie never missed evening service,
and a jealous 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
chancei he would watch the young
couple in their distant pew. There
they sat side by side apparently con-
tent. 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.
Service over he joined the stream of
people that issued slowly from the
church. Ellie fingered in the porch
being wrapped securely from the storm
oy her lover.
''That's all right, Nell," he said
cheerfully. '.Now take my arm and
hang on tight; we shall do well enough
together under one umbrella"
'tNellr' Then he had his own name
for her. That destroyed the last ves-
tige of hope and Bernard Hayes sought
his way slowly home.
Tomorrow he would leave Wood
leigh. He could not stay to see Ellie
look like that any longer. Her white,
sad face seemed to haunt him; he
would 90 away and forget it.
He went up to London and sought
the forgetfulness that refused to come.
He prepared to go abroad, but before
the journey it was necessary
to visit Woodleigh to arrange certain
business affairs.
1t was lovely day, several weeks
after his sudden departure, that found
him again at home. His business was
quickly dispatched and he found as he
set out for the station that he had
plenty of time. His way led through
the woods where Ellie had so sternly
him, and which he had since
learned to know well, under her guild
ance. His thoughts were full of her
as he loitered under the arching
boughs, aud as he turned the corner
of long green ride he came face to
face with Ella herself.
She looked worn and changed. Po or
child! she had suffered much in the
last two weeks. 1t had been a terri
bic blow to her to see Bernard depart
in that sudden, mysterious manner,
and the efforts to preserve an air of
indifference had been too much for
her.
Walking wearily along in the July
sunshine she felt that the brightness
of the day around her did but mock
her heavy heart. And then suddenly,
without any warning, the day took an
added glory and the birds sung q new
melody, for Bernard stood before her.
She could not help the glad surprise
that shone swiftly in her eyes nor the
smile that lit up her whole face.
IL did notknow that you were here, :"
she said in excuse.
81 am only down for few hours" !"
he said. 81 am starting for Norway
in day or two"
''Oh, indeedm
Bernard was desperate; he must
know the truth at all costs.
Il am glad to see you before l go;
1 wished to congratulate you," he said
abruptly.
ITO congratulate mel On whatP"
.'On your engagement to Mr.. Lang
ley"
Ellie turned on hum imperiously; a
sudden flash of instinct told her all.
"Who told you that l was engaged
to George LangleyP' she demanded:
'.Mrs. Morrison" and he detailed
the remark she had overheard.
eff she had listened to the end of
that conversation she would have
heard the answer. 'Nsverp" cried
Ellie Indignantly.
Then you are not engaged to himP'
cried Bernard eagerly.
mo, nor never shall be. He is my