Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-12-20

this sylvan rcpose has had its charm.
But, then, you thought it necessary to
hide yourself, though mono OF your
friends agreed with you. Now the
trouble has passed, surely you will re-
turn TO your old homeP"
"No, Lady Clare--not yet, at least
Not until"
Here he lowered his voice, and Bea-
trice lost the end of his sentence.
But she had heard enough, and seen
those two together; he calmly happy
she, full OF tender interest.
Beatrice's pretty face was very
white and fixed as she turned silently
away. He had not seen her; that was
one good thing. and he should never
know she had witnessed that scene
between him and his beautiful young
friend. How foolish she had been to
think he cared for her-a common
place girl like her.-after living
amongst gentle high-born ladies.
Tears welled TO her eyes, but she
forced them back, fearing others
might remark her weakness.
Mrs. Stanley was in the hall when
Beatrice entered. end she turned with
gentle little smile ID greet her eldest
born-a smile which soon changed TO
look of anxious concern.
My dear, | am afraid you have
over-tired yourself" she remarked
quickly; ''you look quite white and
tagged"
YES; am tired and my head aches.
. l. no. ~ 40 ri ri
answered listlessly, and hanging her
hat on the old-fashioned rack she
went into the cool dining room.
my goodness, How pale you
look!' was Nance's first frank excla-
nation. Here, take my chair; it is
the easiest one"
Beatrice sank down in the well
worn leather chair and let her head
fall YEARLY back. She felt so. dull,
so full Of strange sad misery.
Avice and Nance fused around her,
bringing her tea and tempting toast
which made her shudder. Still, not
liking to hurt their feelings, she fever
! ishly drank the tea and tried to eat
the crisp toast.
II think / shall 80 and lie in the
hammock for while. 1t must be
cooler and fresher out there" she said
presently"
"Yes, do. dear; try and go to sleep;
no one shall disturb you" Avice an
swered sympathe tically; then she
added, as Beatrice stepped through
the French window. Something's
wrong with something more
than a mere headache. i wonder what
it is?"
Perhaps it's next door," Nance
answered slyly.
Nonsense! / wish you would be
more careful in what you say" Avice
said reprovingly, and she frowned
darkly at her sister.
AS Beatrice lay in the hammock,
and thought of Stewart and the fair
patrician girl in whom he seemed to
take so great an interest, tears large
and bitter rolled down her cheeks.
why was he so kind and attentive?
Why did he make me believe he was
so lonely and friendless? Perhaps
should not have loved had l not first
pitied"
She sobbed on unrestrainedly, and
the sobs seemed TO relieve her heart OF
half its anguish Gradually, as she
Gained down. drowsy feeling crept
over her, and all unconsciously she
forgot her grief in deep dreamless
slumber.
Birds were twittering softly over
head, making low sweet lullaby; not
| g H., h. hoo hot
dropped around her; the setting sun,
reluctant to quit the earth too soon,
sank slowly and imperceptibly, leav-
ing behind trail Of rich golden glory,
some of which crept through the
screening trees, and fell in soft lus.re
upon the sleeping girls face.
Presently the silence was broken; a
voice, low and exceedingly tender.
called her name:
Decentralization
Receiving no answer, Stewart bent
further over the fence he could see
the slender form in the hammock. and
he recognized the pretty white dress
Beatrice had worn that morning. Why
did she refuse TO hear himp
"Beatrice.' he called again, this
time little louder. at i stew.
artr'
Still no answer, and Stewart began
to dimly realise the truth. She was
ASLEEP, and did not hear nim.
With smiling eyes he looked
at her one moment. then, by
the aid OF friendly tree, he
quickly leapt the low fence end stood
beside her.
"My princess-my sleeping beauty!
he whispered tenderly bending "a
gaze into her fair face
She did not move, but there was n
look on her face which troubled Stew
art il was half sorrowful, and her
mouth dropped at the corners like that
of grievihg child. While he still ex-
amined her, he noticed traces OF recent
tears on her pale cheeks.
: Poor little love!" Something has
saddened her!" he mutterei pitifully.
ut seems almost a shame to awaken
her to remembrance again. Yet must
speak TO her to-dayw
He Lifted tress of her shining gold