The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-10-26
Selett StOrg.
LESLIE DERRANT.
Fr1m Al The Year Essmd.
CHAPTER l.

CHAPTER !.
Life passes 50 quickly aud the end comes
50 .oon that. If there was nos eternity to
fall back upon, existence would hardly BE-
worth having. This is true, no doubt, but
as We certainly have eternity before Us, it
Is clearly a truth of no importance Be
sides, when we are brought into the world
We cauno, say. Il viii live, or Il viii die;
life Is forced upon US, and we must bear It
a. we best can. To some it Is a joy to be
thankful for. to Others a burden 20 be en-
dured. For my own part, | admit | ike
to hive. It suits me aud feel 3 dread Of
the time when the fashion Of life | under
stand must pass into another more beanii-
fai, but still unknown and s,raagc-
enjoy living. | make complaint only
Of the swiftness Of time. il flies too fast.
Il i but morning. aud 10 1t Is night, aud
must enter the kingdom of sloeP. l
wonder DO other people days vanish As do
niue
Years s,o oacc found the dsys long
enough, but vas young then by com
parison only with what | am now and my
wits wsrc more nimble A. that time ]
b,camc engaged, ostsasibly, A. soverness TO
Leslie Derrant, really as mentor, safe COZ
idantc, and Judicious friend
liked Hurst Lodge at once. IL vas
a substantial red-hFiek house- With vide
mulhoned windows, basement wcll above
ground. and n stately flight Of bFoad steps,
shared in the segment of circle, ascend
ing 70 the hall door
As | drove through the park that sunny
afternoon the rich, warm glow Of its WSlls
and the gliitcriag Of it, windows SEEMED 10
give me a kindly welcome, aud | thought
that p.s5pie who lived in such bright and
beautiful home could not be sad or sorry
for long together
4 dainty little lsdy met me IN the ball
and sraeiously wished tha, my stay Ia the
old house might BE- happy. She was small
Of stature and slight, a uFrigh, IS a pop
lar. Of dark complexion Kind brown eyes
looked AZ me with the frank friendhness Of
child, her eyebrows were brown, but her
hair was a beautiful Soft white To call
i, snow or silver would be to libel its ex.
quisise tint.
Leslie and my husband are not here 10
welcome YOU. she said Il eontrivcd their
absence because wanted 70 have a little
chat with you alone, Il was 50 good Of
you to come. My cousin told me if any
one could manage cur dear Leslie, it would
be you.
Il was glad TO come, replied. Il bad
le, my servants with my house, and was
contemplating stay in the Black Forest
and then a years travel This viii be a
greater change for me, and always had a
longing TO try how | should feel earning
nv own living; but, you know, | really
must be simply the governess to everybody
here. Mr.. Wyatt and his niece, | hope,
believe that have never been anything
but a goyerness since my husband died.
Il have never told them otherwise; but
will YOU not have some refreshment!
Il had cup Of tea at the junction,
thanks.
Leslie has not been with us much more
than year. She is the only child of Mr.
Wyatts only sister, and when her parents
died it seemed fitting that she should come
to Us. But We are very quiet couple,
and. being childless, do not well understand
girls. We found that Leslie was dull, and
when friend offered to take her to Lon
don with her daughters last season we let
her 20 gladly. did beg my friend to be
very careful of her, though felt a little
ashamed of myself for doing so; but a
Young girl of that age is a great charge.
"Yes," | assented, and she went on with
her tale
Leslie wrote and told us how she was
enioying herself, and how kind people were
to her. My husband and talked over
her gay doings, and thought that perhaps
some one would love her, for she is very
sweet. and we decided that we would not
care about his position or wealth if he
we're really good man, for Leslie ha'
enough for both. We never said anything
about her fortune, but | find 1t was
known in London. Well, we never hearc
of any lover. Leslie came home, all JOY
and smiles, and her uncle joked her abou
a sweetheart. Then she blushed, and saiC
with a radiant face, He is coming, and /
Won do not declare him to be Prince Charm
inc | shall not believe you to be my owl
dear uncle, and she ruffied up his hair, a
she used to be fond of doing, and kisse'
him.
He must be very charming indeed
he is to get you. -
".He is, she answered; then lifting he
little head and looking quite stately sh
said, we are engaged, and he is comm
down directly to ask your consent and al
proval.
, ''It might have been asked sooner, m
| l..l.,,J so;J ,,r,, fli.-