Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-05-01

Neither time nor care had drawn single
lime upon it; it told of perfect and robust
health and yet bore the bloom Of childhood.
1t was the foce of a man who might live to a
hundred and still look young, nor did the
form belle it.
Mr.. Davies blushed up to the eyes. blushed
like a girl beneath Elizabeth's sharp scrutiny.
stNaturally take an interest in neighbor's
fate he said, in his slow, deliberate way.
ssShe is quite safe, then"
II believe so" answered Elizabeth.
s'Thank God!r he said, or rather it seemed
DO break from him in a sigh of relief. "How
did the gentleman, Mr.. Bingham, come to be
saved with hergn
"How should known she answered, with
shrug "She saved his life somehow, chung
fast 10 him even after she was insensible."
at is very wonderful never heard Of
such a thing. What is he like"
sHe is one of the finest looking men l ever
saw answered Elizabeth, always watching
him
''Ah. But he is married, think, Miss
Grangerf'
.'Oh, yes, he is married to the daughter of
an earl very much married-and very little,
i should say"
az don't quite understand, Miss Granger"
''Don't youi then use your eyes when you
see them together"
81 should not see anything. l am not quick
like YOU he added.
''How do you mean to get back to the castle
tonight, Mr. Davies? You can't row back in
this wind, and the seas will be washing over
the causeway."
''0h, / shall manage am wet already.
An extra duc1ing won't hurt me, and I've
had a chain put up TO prevent anybody from
being washed away. And now must be go
ing Good night"
'Good night, Mr.. Davies"
He hesitated a moment and then added
"Would you-would you mind telling your
sister-of course mean when she is stronger
that came to inquire after her"
II think that you can do that for yourself,
Mr.. Davies, she said almost roughly. Imean
1t will be more appreciated" and she turned
upon her heel.
Owen Davis ventured no further remarks.
He felt that Elizabeth's manner was a little
crushing, and he was afraid of her as well
81 suppose that she does not think am good
enough to pay attention to her sister, he
thought to himself as he plunged into the
night and rain. well, she is quite right
am not fit TO black her boots Oh, God, / |
thank thee that thou hast saved her life-I
thank thee-I thank theel" he went on, speak |
ing aloud TO the wild night as he made his |
way along the cliff. IF she had been dead, ! |
think that | must have died too. Oh God, |
thank thee-I thank theel"
The idea that Owen Davies, Esq, J. p, d. |
L., Of Bryngelly castle, absolute owner of
that rising little watering place, and of the
largest and most prosperous slate quarries in
Wales, worth in all somewhere between seven
and ten thousand a year, was not fit to black
her beautiful sisters boots, was not one that
had struck Elizabeth Granger. Had il struck
her, indeed, it would have moved her 10
laughter, for Elizabeth had practical mind.
What did strike her, as she turned and
watched the rich squire's sturdy form van
ish through the doorway into the night be-
yond, was a certain sense of wonder Sup
posing that she had never seen that shiver Of
returning life run up those white limbs, sup
posing that they had grown colder and cold
er, till at length it was evident that death
was so firmly citadeled within the silent heart
that no human skill could beat his empire
backg What theni Owen Davies loved her
sister; that She knew and had known for
years. But would ne not have got over
it in time! Would he not in time
have been overpowered by the sense
of his own utter loneliness and given his
hand, if not his heart, to some other woman,
And could not she who held his hand learn
to reach his hearth And to whom would
that hand have been given, the hand and ell
that went with itl What woman would this
shy Welsh hermit, without friends or rea-
lions, have ever been thrown in with except
herself Elizabeth who loved him as much as
she could love anybody, which, perhaps, was
not very much; who, at any rate, desired sore
I.4f l...l Eli
about il she had never seen that eyelid trem-
bic and that slight culver run up her sisters
limbsl 1t would-she knew it would
Elizabeth thought of it as for a moment
she stood in the passage, and cold, hungry
light came into her neutral tinted eyes and
shone upon her pale face But she choked
back the thought; she was not wicked enough
to wish that her sister had not been brought
back to life. She only speculated on what
might have happened if this had come about,
Just as one works out game of chess from
given Hypothetical situation of the pieces.
Perhaps, too, the same end might be gained
in some other way. Perhaps Mr. Davies
might still be weaned from his infatuation
The wall was difficult, but it would have to
be very difficult il she could not find a way
to climb It. 1t never occurred TO her that
there might be an open gate She could not
conceive il possible that woman might posi-
lively reject Owen Davies and his seven or
ten thousand year, and that woman a per-
son in m unsatisfactory and uncongenal,
almost in a mental position Reject Brvn-
gelly castle, with all its luxury and oppor-
tunities of wealth and leisurel No, the sun
would set in the east before such a thing hap ,
pened. The plan was TO prevent the occasion
from arising. The hungry light died out Of
Elizabeth's face and she turned to enter the
sick room, when suddenly she met her father
coming out.
''Who was that at the frontln he asked,
carefully closing the door.
s'Mr. Davies. of Bryngelly castle, father" /,
.'And what did Mr.. Davies want at this
time of nights To know about BeatriceF'
Eyes she answered slowly The came to ,
ask after Beatrice, or, TO be more correct, he
has been waiting outside for three hours in |
The rain to learn if she recovered
Awaiting outside three hours in the rain"
said the CLERGYMAN astonishe1 ESQUIRE Da- .