Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-05-17

comfortless couch TO smooth il little.
He caught the small roughened
hand in his.
''Call me Eberhard before you go
Just once; | have fancy to hear it
from your lips; and invalids may not
be thwarted, you know" with his
charming smile.
The pale face colored fiery red.
"Eberhard!n she said falteringly,
and attempted no move; but he raised
the little fingers to his lips ere he re-
leased them.
II know | shall recover with your
nursing" he said quietly.
"Dorothyw querulous voice, be-
longing fretful angry face, invaded
the door of the invalid's room few
hours later. Il wish you would give
your own kith and kin little atten-
ton, instead OF dancing after all these
common men. am almost out of my
mind with terror, sitting alone in that
dreadful room-they say it is the safe
est in the place, bnt it dark and de-
pressing in the eXtreme-and the noise
Of the firing seems TO increase every
moment | am sure we shall all be shot
directly, and Sir Peter is enough TO
put the finishing-touch to anybody. |
don't know whether or not he is really
i'll, but he lies and groans until | am
beside myself. / think you might
come and cheer your cousin little
bit.
The speaker had advanced as she
spoke until she stood very near the
couch over which Dorothy was bend
ing.
Dorothy was changed of course by
her fearful priyations and anxiety
changed into shadow Of her former
self; but her face was beautiful, al
most spiritualized by the grand calm
co lrage which bore her on through
her terrible life.
Lady Ruskin was changed from n
beautiful young woman into an appar-
emily old and ugly one. Skinny, sal
low, haggard, Leigh hardly recogniz-
ed her rs she came up to his couch,
still pouring her fretful, selfish COM
plants upon Dorothy.
"Elvira, here is an old friend, the
girl said. bravely turning her white
face, and hiding a sudden CULVER of
the lips
Lady Ruskin's head went up haugh-
tily, then her glance falling upon the
soldiers face suddenly deepened and
grew excited.
How do you do, Lady RuskinP"
Leigh calmly uttered, looking at her
as he spoke.
"Mr.-Mr Leigh she gasped. "Is
it possible?"
Not Mr.. Leigh now" Dorothy in
terposed, a bitterness utterly foreign
to her voice entering it. Lord Les
ter, if you remember"
Elvira stood for an instant p5trified,
almost aghast, then with sudden de-
light in her voice and face, she cried:
"Oh. is it really true? Eberhard,
whoever thought we should m eetagain
like this?'
1--WE met earlier. Lord Lester said,
with no expression in tone or glance.
you gave me rather "a cruel remind
er of your old friendship some weeks
ago, Lady Ruskin."
As he spoke he held out his hand,
which still bore the mark Of Elvira's
riding-whip, and she had the grace to
color furiously.
Il can only beg your pardon, she
stammorcd, land hope that you can
overlook and 70! give even this"
"rhis | count but a small thing-in
comparison"
His dark eyes held hers insignif-
cantly. his voice lowered.
Dorothy novel abruptly away.
ooh, Ebarhard," Her ladyship
spoke with crimson face and imploring
voice. II am sure even you must
think that / have eXpia,ed by my suf-
ferings here in o her ways-how bit
terly, ceaselessiy ! have repented"
I'VE will LEI bggones be bygones,
he said intcrruptiIg,T, and still there
was no expression in his voice, and be
did not attempt TO take her offered
hand.
But to Dorothy who saw him gazing
into Elvira's face as she bent over him,
it seem as if the old friendship were
renewed at touch, and She pressed her
hand on her beating heart, while
things grew dim around her.
"You will forgive and forget, Eber-
hardr her ladyship said entreatingly.
The excitement Of this unexpected
meeting had brought back some of her
lost charms; her face was flushed
brightly, her eyes sparkled.
Dorothy gave one swift, comprehen-
sive, almost despairing glance at the
pair, then turned with set face and
went oat Of the room, to her duties.
81 forgive, Lord Lester said, still
in that same International tone; ''but
have no wish to lose memory, Lady
Rusllin."
"Ah. then, you do not forgive en-
tirely; you bear me Crude yet. II
was the mad impulse OF the moment
that prompted me, Eberhard.
Il think it was more than that; but
we need not discuss those ancient mat
tiers now. How is Sir Peter?"
"IIe is as well as the rest OF US.