Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-12-05
ly. Nay I think it is just beginning
for her."

whom poor Mrs. Bevan would have
wished to be present, Tessa thought
sadly.
The dead woman, who had been OF
so little account to anyone In her life
time, had suddenly become invested
with all the dread Importance which
death gives even to the meanest and
lowliest ones.
Mrs Calender, who had systematic
ally overlooked and ignored her when
alive, now spoke of her with lowered
voice and in a tone of deepest respect
and affection, which half amused, half
irritated Tessa.
The girl had slipped unobserved out
OF the drawing room-where the
female relatives were discussing under
their breath the merits of the dead
woman-into the cool scented garden.
Austen and most OF the gentlemen
were still in the dining room, and she
was free to wander up and down undis-
turbed.
She opened the gate by-and-by and
looked out in,o the quiet lane. The
twilight was gathering rapidly, here
and there glow worm twinkled its
tiny lamp on the hedge, and few
stars shone feebly in the clouded sky.
AS she stood leaning against the gate
she noticed mans figure approaching
down the lane.
He walked slowly, and his hat was
pulled down over his eyes, and, as he
came nearer, Tessa recognized Antony
Bevan. With quick impulsive move
ment she went forward to meet him
and held out her hand.
''Mr. Bevan-you know?" she asked
softly.
Eyes, l know. got your note this
morning; and l could not rest-I felt l
must come; l fancied l might possibly
see you, he said hurriedly. when
was itP"
Three days ago." 1essa glanced
anxiously back at the house. The
windows overlooked the
laurel walk; but, to her relief, the
blinds were drawn down and the gas
lighted.
did she speak of me?"
''Speak OF you? l don't think she
ever thought OF anyone but YOU"
Iessa said with sad directness. "She |
sent you a message with her dying
breath"
What was it?"
Resolutely Anthony forced himself |
to speak calmly; but the drawn face |
and set lips told Tessa how hard the |
was, and her heart ached for |
him.
&" My love to Anthony-my best
love'-that was all. She never thought
Of Austen---of anyone but you,m Tessa
said sadly.
IL am glad of it; confound him."
and Anthony's eyes flashed angrily.
''He has kept us apart all these years.
She would have forgiven me and sent
Tor me long ago; but she dared not be-
cause OF him."
Tessa's cheeks flushed. 1t was one
thing to be sorry for Antony, but
quite another to stand by and hear
Austen blamed--whether Justly or un-
Justly mat;ered not to her one whit
She was his chosen wife; she must
stand up for and defend him Loyalty
before all the world.
She looked up with indignant eyes.
ASK yours':It-was there no cause?"
she said coldly. Contrast his life,
his pure blameless life---with yours"
"Oh, / know! Austen was always a
saint and Antony gave bitter
laugh-''always the straitest
member OF the straitest sect of the
Pharisees! He was never like other
'oung men-never knew their tempta-
ions and follies."
You have no right to speak against
im'-Tessa raised her pretty pale
ace proudly-"to me at all events
md L will not listen!"
"Ah, forgot" and Anthony put "a
letaining hand gently upon the girls
.rm. "No; l had no right 10 do so. /
lou are to be Austen's wife, l hearP"
yes"
Tessa looked back into the eyes ]
which were regarding her with an odd
with a defiant smile. ,
"Ah he was always the lucky onen |
and Antony gave an envious laugh. 7
de gets all the good things of life!
md so you are to be my sister Miss G
|
nany OF his possessions, but do envy 7
i'm his wife, he added with a hard q
nugh. ;
Tessa looked at him wistfully. I
''Yod are married yourself, are you I
ot?" she asked. lis your wife liv- I
ng?" .
"Yes; we have three children now.
dare say they have told you hard
Kings about my wife, Miss Caroline
ave they not? She is not lady, you C
new; but she is good woman, and b
he has been good wife to me. Poor h
lilly" he went on, with thu old indie n
nable regret in his voice. II should "
Ike you TO know her some day, Miss "a
ardine. l think you would like d
er." T
al should like to see the children. a
erhaps Austen will let me come some h
ay." Tessa said doubtfully. W
Antony laughed.
''If you wait till then-till Austen Y