The Russellville Democrat., 1889-09-12

ber. misc"
 She smiled at him with her innocent blue eyes. ''Is 1t likelyPn she said; and they squeezed each others hands in token of confidence.
 When Saturday arrived, and Stella found herself on the box seat beside Standish Mrs. Grey having declined the post of honor-her delight knew no bounds. Standish's stern face was illumined by pride and pleasure--every look into those smiling eyes seemed like draught from some pure spring of happiness He was beginning al- ready to love her intensely, and he had made up his mind absolutely that she should be his Standish seldom thought it worth while to exert his will on tri- fling matters, but when he felt strong desire to attain purpose. he would move Heaven or he'll to compass it.
 He had taken 1t for granted that Stella was free and heart whole, so when at dinner he saw Leo looking jealously at her, and intercepted the loving, reassuring smile she sent back, he experienced a sudden and violent pang. But he had sufficient self-con- trol to conceal it, and before dinner was over more parties had been planned for the following week. On Wednesday they were to go to the dance at the New Club, and the Admiral felt the least they could do was to ask their host to dine with them on Monday.
 How heavenly it would have been," said Leo, when they got home, If the mater had gone in front and you and 1 had sat behind togetherr And Stella eoncurred.
 Standish did not sleep well that night He had conceived violent passion for Stella, and he meant and willed that she should be his. But the thought of the cousin, who was a good-looking lad, chafed and irritated him. It was ridic- ulous to think there could be any thing between them more than boy and girl fancy. The Greys were not we'll of. Leo was only a clerk in the Foreign Office; he could not marry her But Standish could not endure to think that any one had so much as breathed upon his lily. Hisp Yes, his! When ever his will had been reused he had Instinct told him that he must not be- tray his passion to Stella; he knew that it would frighten and repel her. It was hard task when his arm was round her in a waltz and his heart beat so near hers, but exercised inn mense self-command, and when his eyes would have betrayed him he averted them absolutely from her face.
 He soon became the friend of the house. Leo, no longer jealous, con- ceived the strong liking for him that an enthusiastic and frank-natured lad often feels for man considerably bis senior. Standish gave him constant dinners, lent him horses to ride or drive, supplied him with choice cigars, and took him about. The end of the season was drawing on. Standish be- gan to find his position unbearable. It was the first time in his life that he had played double part, and he hated it. He had always been a man of honor, now he was going to descend to base means And yet he swore to himself that his love, as he called it, was the purest and best part of him, and he vowed to love and cherish this fair creature as the apple of his eye, and to develop every good and generous quality for her sake-once he possessed her! So Standish set himself to serve two masters: hell first and Heaven after. He found out Leo's weakest spot, which, poor lad, was tendency to gamble. Standish led him slowly and surely on-racing, card playing, even little flutter on the stock exchange. F or the first time in his life Leo's pockets were full of money He was intoxicated with the unwonted sensa- tion. He bought diamond heart for Stella, which she dared not wear, but treasured fondly, for he had sworn her to secrecy about his money making. What delicious whisperings they had togetherl When he had made f10,- GOO they would be married. Stella was more charming than ever to Standish. Was he not their guardian angelP
 The day of reckoning came quickly and surely. Leo lost all his winnings in Goodwood week, and f2, 900 be- side. He was horribly vexed, but by no means in despair, with a friend like Standish at his back. But sud denly Standish made volte-face, looked and spoke sternly. and abso- lutely declined to advance the money. Stunned and stupefed, for one mad hour Leo dreamed of suicide; but he was young, the love of life was strong in him, and he thought of his parents and Stella with a deeper affection than he had ever felt before. But what could he doP It would be i'm possible for his father to raise the money in so short a time, even if he consented, but Leo did not be- lieve he would consent, and he felt it would he easier to die than to ask him, But to be default CT! What high-spirited young fellow could bear such thought? That night be took Stella into the gardens in front of the house, and there he told her every thing. with burning, miser- able shame and anguish. She wept and wrung her hands. Was there jus tice in Heaven if this awful calamity could fall on one so loved, so guileless Gin her eyes) as Leo-on those dear people who had been as father and mother to her. She railed against Standish. and vowed she had always mistrusted that stern face of his. She lav awake all nipht her golden hair