Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-04-25


little gloved hands half imperatively,
half entreatingly.
Instantly the invitation was answer
ed by Eberhard Leigh, who strobe
through the little crowd to shake
hands with tho beauty.
Sir Peter scowled; Leigh smiled.
The moment triumph was his, for FL
vira's eyes were fixed on his with
look which made his heart beat tu-
multuously; her little fingers chung to
his almost convulsively; needless OF
the diabolical expression settling upon
the baronet's face rs he thus saw his
rival preferred.
Il want TO see yen so much, Mr..
Leigh. | want TO speak to you. Will
Jou come for turn round the Park
with meP" Miss Beauchamp said hur-
riedly.
Eberhard's face lighted; he bent for
ward eagerly.
"Of course | should like it above all
things, but | am bound TO be at the
barracks in half an hour"
He glanced at his watch.
"Halt an hour! Oh, you have lots
of time, You can jump out at the cor
ner of D street. Oh, do come!
You can't refuse me now"
He could not refuse that tone and
glance, of course.
John. open the door for Mr.
Leigh" the young lady said impatient
ly, and the servant sprang from the
box and obeyed.
Leigh got in, leaving Sir Peter be-
hind like u vertable fury, and the lit
tie brougham whirled away.
But alone with her lover Elvira sat
mute and white, leaning back in her
corner rs far as possible from him,
and gazing with troubled eyes out
upon the scenes they passed.
Leigh touched her hand.
darling you had something TO say
to me?n
She turned dazzling, bewildering
smile upon him.
mo; l think it was only that
wanted TO have you with me, Eber-
hard"
my darling"
He bent his head and impressed a
hand. She let it remain quiescent in
his clasp, but replied nothing.
'Is anything troubling you, SWEET"
he asked after a pause, regarding
earnestly the pale face.
The same CO Things; they always
trouble me-" she said with n sigh.
"But will throw them of and be
happy"
She did not glance at him as she
slowly spoke, but her tone and its
words thrilled his very heart.
"You mean you are going to accep:
me and my love?" he cried rapturous-
ly.
"T am going to accept your love"
was the curious answer.
Leaning back in the little brougham
he put his arm round her waist, and
for some instants mis- heart beat too
/ fast for words.
His eyes devoured her exquisite face
with loving devoted gaze, but the girl
did not meet his eyes; perhaps she
feared that il she did so her lover
would forget time and place, and be-
come too demonstrative.
She rested quietly within the strong
encircling arm, but she kept her gaze
turned sadly, curiously, from the win
dow.
The sound OF a clock striking aroused
Eberhard Leigh from his dream of bliss
to remembrance of duty. He was
too thorough a soldier TO forgo3 his
work at even SO supreme moment as
this.
He got up and opened the carriage
door.
~ on need not stop the man, Elvira.
] can jump out easily here. Goodbye,
my own!"
Ono long passionate glance, one
pressure of lips upon the tiny hands.
Il shall see you at your dance to-
morrow evening"
And Elvira watched his tall figure
stride across the street, then pulling
the check-string she gave her coach
man new orders.
Eberhard sat alone in his room in
the barracks as the next days evening
grew late.
He was dressed for the ball
at the Beauchamps house,
and he had every intention
OF going thither as soon as the time
would permit,
please, SIR" his servant opened the
door with an unusual degree of eau
ton, "some one is enquiring for you,
Mr.. Leigh"
"Who is itp" in bored tone.
The servant came in and took the
precaution to shut the door behind
him.
ITS two OF 'em, Mr.. Leigh, and /
don't like their looks. They were
hero after you this afternoon, but you
was really out then, and l told them
so. II you'd like now just 10 slip out
the window way, sir, | can keep 'em
in the dark for a few minutes longer;
only you had best be quick, SIR" sig
nificantly.
"Do you mean they are bailiffs,
SimsP" his master asked amusedly.
"rll take my oath on it, sir, or they