The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1889-05-23
,med 10 haunt him; he would 60 away


and forget Il,
The next day he took walk through
the woods where Ellie had so sternly re-
huked him, and which he had since
learned 10 know well, under her guidance.
His thoughts were full Of her as he
loitend under the arching boughs, and as
he turned the corner OF long green ride
he came lace to face with Ellie herself,
She could not help the glad surprise
that shonc swiftly in her eyes, nor the
smile that lit up her whole face, Both
were gone in an instant, but Bernard had
seen them,
al did not know that you were here"
she said, in excuse,
~ am only here for last walk" he
said. al am starting for Norway in u
day or two"
"Oh, indeedw Her disappointment
found expression in her voice, despite her
care.
Bernard was desperate; he must know
the truth at all costs. Man-like, he went
clumsily, even cruelty, to work.
~ am glad to see you before l go; l
wished to congratulate you," he said
abruptly.
ITO congratulate me! On whata"
"On your engagement to Mr., Lang
ley"
1t was out now, and he should know
the worst.
Ellie turned on him imperiously; a
sudden flash of instinct told her all.
"Who told you that Iwas' engaged to
George Langleyi" she demanded.
"Mrs. Morrison;" and he'detailed the
remarks she had overheard.
eff she had listened to the end of that
conversation she would have heard the
answer. 'Neveri'" cried Ellie, indig-
nantly. 81 knew that there,were two old
Kensington friends of ours in that train,
for George saw themtand told me. One
is an inveteratc gossip and match maker !;
the other knows us we'll and would have
contradicted such foolish report at
once"
"Then you are not engaged to hint"
cried Bernard, eagerly.
"No, nor ever shall be. He is my
cousin, and we have been like brother and
sister all our lives, but we could never care
for each other in any other way" Ellie's
tone betrayed her wounded feeling.
"Ellie, my darling, what a, fool have
been Thought you were engaged to him,
and was going away because Lcould not
bear to see you. and know+that' you could
never be mine. It's who. have Numbered
this time. Can you everkforgive mel"
Her hands were held lin his, his eyes
were looking intoihers. On the very spot
where first they met, Ellie looked up
slyly, blushing, and whispered, eyes"
81 never should have thought that: you
would have believed such a thing" she
said, with little reproachful accent on
the "you' that went to her lovers heart.
II must have been mad, think" he
answered. "But' could not distrust
what seemed, the evidence of'my own
eyes"
''Ithought you knew all about George"
she said. 2:He is an orphan, and his homo
was always with us. He was at home
on leave, and wc hopedswould have been
with us all the summer, but he came down
suddenly to say.that he had been ordered
off to Australia for fiveyears, and had only
three days tossaytgoodlye in"
sBut you looked SO miserable; how
could l tell thaty you were only parting
with a cousin2'
"He has been a brother to NEAL my
life, and we weret always. so fond of each
other that seyeralto f our friends used to
call him my sweetheart. Poor Georgel
he is so tender hearted, too ,and could not
bear leaving us. Besides
''Besides what?" he asked, as she
paused.
Besides, you.never came near us for
three days, and / could not think what
was the matter, ''iowned Ellie, softly.
II thought ], had no right to come
near YOU" butshe held her close now.
II think you,have been very unlucky,"
she said, smiling, "or very much ill-used.
This is the second time you have been
warned off your own property!"- Cas-,
SELLS.