Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-02-28
AARON BLAIR'S ATONEMENl.
CHAPTER VI.


mould. Delicately, shy, loving,
shrinking, and gentle, she had no
strength TO struggle against this first
sorrow of her life, which seemed to
overwhelm her altogether; but each
day she dropped and faded and Ian
guished like some roughly-uprooted
plant. She did not call pique to her
aid and lirt with honest Doctor We'd
lake; she did not proudly pretend that
she did not care; she could hardly at
tempt 10 take up the thread of her
simple happy life as it had been only
few weeks since, or try to make 1t
satisfy her again. How could she,
when ever and always Ovens voice
sounded in her ears, Owens eyes met
her eyes, beseechingly and reproach-
fully?
Aaron Blair saw the change in her,
and suffered an agony which only
strong, self-contained, somewhat sui
len natures can suffer. Whom he look
ed at Lily's delicate face, her slender
figure, her little white hands, which
each day seemed to become more
white, more fragile and transparent,
he seemed to see her young mother
fading and dying over again. He
watched her all day with craving,
jealous anxiety; he listened outside
her door at night, and heard her sob
and fondly murmur her lovers name
in the darkness; and at last he set his
teeth and formed q resolution. He
said nothing TO Lily; but he changed
his coat one afternoon, went into her
fine drawing-room, where she was
trying to sleep upon the couch, kissed
her gently and went out ut the little
white gate, turning his face stolidly
toward Upper Catching. He tramped
along at a steady, even pace until he
reached The Cot, and then asked for
Lady Elizabeth Ormiston.
The magnificent footman whose
spirits had been so depressed by re-
tired country life was rather disinclin-
ed to admit the visitor, the fit Of whose
coat and boats he surveyed with dis
dain while superciliously asking him
his business. He might have shut
the door upon him, which he looked
inclined to do, but just then young
lady crossed the hall. Millicent
Heath had never before seen the face
of Lily Blair's father, but there was
something about it, stern and rugged
as 1t was, that arrested her attention,
and she stopped, asking in her clear
voice what was wanted. In his blunt
way, Aaron Blair put aside the foot
man ard spoke to her,
"By your leave, Miss l want to see
her ladyship."
"Lady Elizabeth" queried Milly.
ii hardly know whether she is at lib
erty just now. Win you tell me your
name?"
my name is Blair, Miss"
"Blair?" Millicents dark eyes took
in his sturdy figure, his sunburnt face,
and his grizzled head; for he had re-
moved his hat in speaking to her.
This, then, was the father of the girl
whom Owen loved. Lady Elizabeth
would refuse TO see him if she were
asked-that was certain. Partly be-
cause she was curious, partly because
he looked so very much in earnest,
Milly wilfully resolved that her lady
ship should not be asked. She said
aloud, "Wil you come with mep"-
and so, without "a pause, led him into
the pretty drawing-room and into the
presence of the mistress OF the house.
Lady Elizabeth was sitting by tho
window reading, but rose at once in
her dignified way, and cast look of
stately and wondering inquiry from
the girl 10 the strange visitor. Milly
depressed little thrill of nervousness,
and said quickly
"This is Mr.. Blair, Lady Elizabeth.
IL believe-he tells me that he
wishes TO see YOU" -
Surprised out OF her self-possession
for a moment, Lady Elizabeth sank
down slowly into her chair again, be-
hind which Milly withdrew. Aaron
Blair advanced step. s
"You know" he said, '.who / am,
my lady"
IL do" Her cold eyes rested upon
him with a glance OF almost con-
temptuous aversion, and a wave OF her
thin white hand seemed TO check his
further words. Zone moment, II you