The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-10-26

with me: 1t would De doing me gre;
favor.
II will come, of course. You know
would do anything for you-in reason"
The beautiful eyes had little reproac
in them as she said the last words.
When we were seated in the train Lee
lie told me she meant to enjoy herse
thoroughly, and was resolved to think {
nothing that could trouble her. An
throughout our long journey she was III
terested in everything; found humor i
little incidents that seemed to me trivia
laughed merrily, and was altogether so ga
and Joyous that more than once the feeling
came over me that | must be travelling il
a dream and should soon wake and find my
self alone in my room at Hurst Lodge.
We drove about all the next morning
visiting the Town Hall, several churches
one not very ancient ruin, and, best of all
the market, picturesque old place, witt
heaps of flowers and pretty cone-mad,
baskets holding ferns that took Leslie
fancy greatly. She bought one for hel
aunt. We wanted to make the most ol
one day, so lunched at a little roadside inn
and then continued our drive, and were
home about five to an early dinner, after
which we walked in the garden
My friends residence was a semi-de.
tached villa, so the garden was much wider
than the house And on this extra width
was lawn of sotest turf; the wall was
rather low, but above it was green lattice
work, covered with ereepers, and beyond a
corresponding grass-plot for the next house.
We all walked close to the creeper-cov-
cred wall for the sake of the fragrance of
the flowers; and when my friend was called
away Leslie and | continued to pace up
and down The girl was still very cheer
full, and kept me amused by her bright lit
tie speeches; but all the time | was strain
ing my ears to catch the sound of voices
on the other side of the wall.
IF we could bottle up some of this air
it might prove a new elixir, for surely it
has made me grow younger. feel like a
giddy schoolgirl to-day.
TIE change in tone of the last few words
told me that Leslie had recognized the
voice that l only heard.
1t said in clear, penetrating utterance:
II could not keep away longer; if you
had not consented to see me | must have
come without
What is the good p That was all l
could hear, the girls voice sank so low
Leslie walked on uneonseiously, and l
with her, and step for step we Kept pace
with the speakers on the other side of the
wall
1T is true, he replied, Il must not
bring you to my poor estate, but you love
me, Maud, aud | love you. We can at
least be friends little longer
"Will that make parting easier No
Charles, let US say goodbye to night.
Il cannot | viii never say it. | will
lose all things sooner than lose you, Maud
my love, my darling" ?" There was kiss
Leslie griPped my arm. "He never
loved me so well, she said hoarsely as she
turned toward the house.
We went into room with windows
looking upon the garden. Leslie sat away
from them. She managed TO take cup
Of tea and say a few words about to-m6r-
rows journey with fair composure. She
begged to be excused retiring so early, as
her head aehed. | followed her to her
room. She was taking of her dress with
eagerness. She let me help her.
"0h. do not speak Of him, cannot bear
it, she said, in voice of agony. kissed
her for answer She felt tear upon her
cheek DO not grieve for me, she said.
II have no tears shall be quite myself
to morrow.
could not sleep for remembrance of the
face | had left on the pillow; 1t was so
beautiful and terrible in its depth of des-
pair. What would the old people say when
they saw it, they who loved her so dearly
that the woman they trusted her with
had broken her heart? / began TO be
afraid Of what | had done
The next morning Leslie spoke to me
without constraint, and as | glanced at her
there was n worn little smile on her face
that seemed to say, See, | am getting
over il, and the look that was so awful to
me was gone. Still there was such utter
sadness under her pathetic attempt at
cheerfulness that my friend could not help
crying as she wished her goodbye, and ex-
cused her emotion BY Leslie's resemblance
TO a school friend now in India
Very dull was our journey home. Les
lies far-away, unchanging gaze as she
looked at the scenes that had so charmed
her two days before went to my heart.
The ferns in the cone basket were our only
distraction, and rejoiced that the delicate
fropds required such constant care and at
tention to preserve them from damage.
Mrs. Wyatt, met us, bright and hopeful as
weiparted read her disappointment as
she looked at Leslie, though she never
spoke of it.
The days went on in their tranquil old
fashion was always ready to ride for | had
given up letter-writing. Mr.. Harrington
was with us frequently, and | liked his
almost reverent, admiration for
Leslie. | do not think she was conscious
of it; but she had some regard for him as
her uneles great friend and often talked
with him pleasantly.
She would not hear of any festivities on
her coming of age, not even treat to the
school children. She was very calm, and |
knew she had decided upon her course in
life; but her settled sadness assured me
that she did not expect to be happy.
When her birthday dawned my first
thought was, will she marry him in spite
of all? My sweet old lady's hand shook
when she took her cup at breakfast Mr.
Wyatt's pink forehead was pale with ap-
prehension. We were all in dread of what
we might have to hear. Leslie Derrant
had now absolute power to dispose of her
self and her fortune as she pleased
There were many gifts for her, the fair
est from Mr.. Harrington, beautiful china
basket full of flowers. She only looked at
those of her uncle and aunt. After giving
them warm thanks she still fingered near
them with white, resolute face. We all
felt she was gathering strength to speak
her decision | could hear my own heart
beat This tense expectancy was more
than the old man could bear He pushed
back his chair; the sound reused her.
''Uncle,' she cried, 81 am going to do
as you wish and you must let me grow old
under your roof.
''My darling, God bless you r He
caught her in his arms Her head rested
upon his shoulder looked into her face,
and | knew that if there is grief that
kills such grief was hers