The Dickinson press., 1889-09-14

"How can l venture to acknowledge
that love you when am going to marry
Marston BRENT"
"Are you going to marry him?"
"Have not told you so:'
He turned from her and took one
short. quick turn across the square.
Like every man in his position, he felt
outraged and indignant, without paus-
ing to think how infinitely more inexor-
ible the laws of society are with regard
to women than to men He could put
Mrs. I4lncaster's fortune aside and go his
way-to Egypt or to the dogs-without
anybody crying out against his criminal
folly. his criminal disregard of the du-
ties and traditions of his class. But if
Eleanor Milbourne put Marston Brent's
princely fortune aside and disappointed
all her friends, what remained to her but
the bitter condemnation of those friends
in particular and of society i'll general?
Wien he came back she rose to meet
him. making picture worth remember
ing as she stood in her graceful youth
and picturesque habit 10y the broken
fountain, with the sombcr cedar hedge
behind and the intense azure of the sum-
mcr sky above.
LET US CO." she said. by prolong-
ing this we only give ourselves useless
pain All is said that can be said.
Nothing remains now but to forget; and
that can best he done in silence. Victor,
let us go"
There was tone of latl,os, a tone as
if she was not quite sure of herself, in
those last words, which made Clare re-
frain from answering her He turned
silently. and they entered green alley
which led to the foot of the terrace sur.
rounding the house. AS they walked
along. Marston Brent's figure appeared
at the end Of the vista, advancing toward
them, and it was this apparition which
first made Clare speak: "If you will
not think me fancitul-l am sure you
will not think me prcsumptuous-prom-
Use me that before you give that man
his answer you will share the Iotos will,
me of which you have spoken. may
be supcrstitious, but feel as if we
shall gain new strength with which tc
face the future after we have together
renc.lnccd the past.
Size shook her head. Il am not super.
stitious enough to think that it will en-
able lis to forget one pans," she said
'I'ut if you desire it, promise"
| When the afternoon shadows were
lengthcning the party from The Willows
set forth again and reached the foot of
the mountain little before sunset, max
| ing the ascent in time to see the day
gods last radiance streaming over the
fair, broad expanse of country beneath
them. There was a small cabin on the
summit which was to be devoted to the
ladies', and round the camp fire which
was soon sparkling brightly the gentle
men proposed to spend the night Oh the
blankets with which they were all plen-
tifully provided. Meanwhile the party,
dividing into groups and pairs, were soon
scattered here and there, perchcd on the
highest points Of rock, enjoying the cool,
| fresh air which came as message OF
love from the glowing west, and chatter
ing like chorus of magpies.
When the evening collation. was over
"a gypsy like repast for which every
one seemed to Lave an excellent appetite
Mr.. Brent asked Eleanor if she would
not accompany him to the eastern side
| of the mountain to see the moon rise
| While she hcsitatcd, uncertain what tc
say, Clares voice spoke quietly at hel
side Miss Milbourne has an engage
| mcnt with me-" he said IL fear you mus,
defer the pleasure of admiring the moon
in her society for u little while, Mr.
Brent Then 20 Eleanor Shall we &c
now
She assented, and they walked away
| Mr. Brent, thus left behind, naturally fell
aggrievcd, and turned to Mrs. Brantley
with some slight irritation stirring hi.
usually courteous reposc.
''It strikes me that Maj. Clare's man
ners decidedly lack polish, he said will
an air o: grave reprehension. els
as am told, that he is going to sell tina
fine old place where we spent the day
and emigrate to Egypt
He is quite ready for a lunatic asy
lum," said Mrs Lancaster, who wa.
standing near. But, whatever his folly
may be, 1 certainly do not agree Will
you, Mr. Brent, in thinking that Iii
manners need any improvement.
Meanwhile, Eleanor was saying, "Yol
should not have spoken SO curtly to Mr.
Brent"
'If can avoid it, shall never speak
to him again." Clare answered. "Don
let us talk of him. did not bring yol
away to discuss anybody we have lef
behind, or anything of which we hav,
talked before. We are to be like immor
tals-to forget the past and live only ii
the present.
"Where are we going;" she asked.
Round to point from whence we car
overlook Claremont."
She said nothing more, and lie led hel
to the eastern side of the mountain
where, near the verge Of an almost pre-.
cipitous descent, they sat down together
under the shadow of a great gray rock
From this point the view was more ex
tcnsive than any they had commanded
before. The rolling country, with tht
sunset glory fading from it, lay like {
panorama at their feet-shadowy woods
| llllO is1iiS
ing here and there into sight, fields ricl
with cultivation bounded by fences tina
looked like a spiders thread. Tothe lef
Clarenlont. seated above its terraces
made an imposing landmark. Behind j
the moon was rising majestically in a
cloudless sky. After they had been silen
for some time, Clare turned and looked
at his companion How beautiful you
are!" he said abruptly. II wish had 6
picture of you as you sit there now II
would be worth everything else in th'
world to me. But, perhaps, after all, th'
best pictures are those which are taken OF
the heart"
"You have forgotten" said Eleanor
trying to smile, that we are going t.
eat the lotos in order to efface all pict,
lres."
Nay" said he. II thought it was te
enable us to forget everything but the