The Monmouth inquirer., 1889-08-08

shall have marble cross erected over
poor Allen Fitzclare's grave" said Car
men, with tears in her voice.
II will see to it all, dear Her father
then read the letter.
"Poor fellow. All, Garment he loved
you, there can be no doubt of that"
''Indeed he did, but was not worthy
of it."
''And now, my daughter, we know the
worst. The dreadful uncertainty is over
Let us try to Danish this unhappy past
You sinned in childish ignorance, and
the poor lad who is dead was not blame
less; indeed he admits it. You both
rushed into dilemma more than seri-
Gus, and it has brought the reverse Of
happiness. Now, dear, begin over again.
Try and be happy for my sake"
"Ah, dad, dear, where shall / find an
other so good or SO patient as your"
"Does not Shakespeare say, Let me
but bear your love, I'll bear your cares :
Now, dear, to dinner. We will not keep
kind Cousin Adela's good fare waiting" ;"
That night, before Col. Massingbird
retired to rest, he wrote a long, exhaus-
tive letter to his kind friend, Marcia
Estcourt He told her everything re-
lating to the sufferings of his daughter,
her repentance, their wanderings in
Spain, the sad episode in Australia, and
all the details. Sir Geoffry, he knew,
was absent from Estcourt, but Col. Mas
singbad craftily left the affair in Marcia's
hands. He knew Geoffry would either
hear of the letter or see it. And the
fathers thought was, could he but re-
store the bloom to his daughters cheek
and the light to her eye, he would not
be too particular as to ways and means
of accomplishment
Goodwood was over, and with it the
London season. It had passed unno-
ticed, uncared for even by the inmates
of The Myrtles. Col. Massingbird had
long since ceased to represent the loyal
city of Brackenhurst in parliament. The
care and happiness of his daughter was
the one object in life now.
There is a strange, peaceful quiet that
comts to us when we once realize we are
living outside instead OF inside the busy
world. We seem so far off the turmoil
and excitement; little details of daily
life, trivial at other times, now become
interesting. Our favorite author, the
music we love, the friendliness of the
few chosen ones make up the sum of
tranquil happiness. And Carmen was
feeling this.
Her fierce, wild love for Geoffry Est
| l, Lea l.. 11,,4 s,,f e,4a n
tender, cherished memory that would
never die. She devoted much of her
time to her father, and gladdened Cousin
Adelas heart by the interest she displayed
in the garden, and the little conservatory
was her especial care.
Again it was sunny August, and Car
men, seated in her chaise Tongue within
her myrtle bower, where the tea roses
mingled in delicious profusion with the
dark shiny leaves of the shrub, and many
little details of feminine occupation
showed that she spent much of her time
there. Dick, the canary, from a tiny
table which just held his cage, was piping
forth Justify; old Don lay stretched
across the threshold. A delightful sea
breeze came in and coquetted with her
hair, the scene beyond charming and re-
freshing to the senses, by reason of the
living, sparkling sea.
And Carmen now thoroughly appreci-
ated it all, though she was quite un-
conscious of the sweet center she herself
made in her soft white gown. And if
her dark eyes sometimes wore look as
if they had missed something in life,
they always had ray of sunshine for
the beloved father and warm caress for
Cousin Adela. It was a o'clock, just
little too early for afternoon tea, and it
was warm, in spite of the sea breeze.
Carmen gave herself over to the delicious
idleness of the hour; with one round arm
under her brown head, and gently rock
ing herself to and fro, softly, dreamily,
closed her eyes, and then everything was
still; even Dick followed his mistress
example.
Footsteps came softly up the gravel
pathway. Don slowly shook himself,
and went out to reconnoiter; apparently
he was satisfied. Very gently shadow
fell across the entrance. and then it took
shape and looked with hungry, eager
eyes and took in the whole scene. 1t
was perfect picture the graceful sleep
ing form, the climbing, sweet scented
roses, the dainty needlework, the half
finished sketch of the view beyond. the
silent canary, the intense repose i'm
pressed the locker on.
"a
4 As s.