The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1890-03-21

cheeks were tinged with color, the eyss
closed, and the lips trembled as II in ecstasy.
Again his lids rose. and the look of dread
returned to hts face. He shrunk back i'm his
chair. and biinked his eyes as though strug-
Cling TO give them light; then suddenly he
hung his arms out wildly. and with a
smothersd snno m Cd cry OF impotent rage buried his
pressing the throbbing veins which stood
out knotted and hard upon his temples.
what Is the matter. old mani" I asked
putting my hand on his shoulder.
He started. and answered impatiently:
Noth1ng, nothtng-a dreami" And then
me- me askgi niaS. ysavasely: Who watches you In
"This is not the nixht.H I replied foncv vino
he was yet but half awake.
Isn't 1t ?" he asked. turning his eyes from
one slde TO the other; then stretching out
his his hands. as Il to heaven. he csied; Then
P9or wretch, all was indeed night to him.
he waved HIS hand impatient1y. and Setting
up. felt his way to the wash stand.
GO down." he said; Miss Lascelles lie
more pleasing 20 the eye than am: she
must bs beautiful, for her voice is music,
her touch is like the petal OF rose. Where
do you keep the diamond-is 1t safe?"
told him that now kept It in belt
buckled to my waist.
STRAP 1t to your wrist again; It is safer"
ne said; and then bending his head aside.
he listened attentvely FOR a moment and
talking together down there. Creep down
and listen. tell you we are not safe here
see that through my blindness. I have
faculties n"m s In place Of that have lost. Do
there is a conspiracy in this house-a plot
to rob us Of our treasure. and turn us beg
gars again upon the street. II could trust
iS,a GoS ia h tell you u, more But every one is
It was not the nrst time I had heard him
talk in this vein. At Natal, on the ship. he
had been In constant dread OF being robbed.
n.s.as ! was Elad sh to get "a away from him. As
room. !distfdgulshed the sound3too dis
ssas as3oS g 311 n3a S dull easeot ,ses Sir
Ssssw; Pc IS f.sf q. sanas,S ass;.sss as.,., I
'ldty Sstsa "a fae9 y dssefiSi lsss IS ~ 1sS12I
%SninS Ss naaid II hs cs3AeSsss !. subject
On the 18th. Sir Edmund. Miss Lascelles,
and i rode over to Southampton. Miss.
Lascelles was In her Gayest. happiest mood
anu In her riding habit looked more charm
Ing than ever.
In returning we met friend OF Sir Ed
mund's: he accepted the invitations TO take
lunch at the Abbey. and rode beside tho
Daronet ahead OF u.s. We two took tho hill
80 slowly that. coming to the crossroads.
we could not see Sir Edmund and his friend.
There We're two ways to the Abbey. After
a little deliberation, Miss Lascellss laugh
ingly consented to take the longer one.
The morning was superb; the woods were
glorious. The rich. warm tints Of the red
dening foliage were reflected on my beautl-
ful companions cheek; her eyes seemed to
catch the glitter OF the dew that still hung
on the gossamc;e. forget what We talked
about. but she was full OF mlrth. and now
and then tho still woods rang with the mu-
stcal cadence of her laugh. But suddenly
the smile died from her face. and she said:
We get poor little Lola.A
And then. rs IL the words ;!ad ccnjUred
up her presence. the girl appeared. swiftly
speeding between the red boles OF the ar
trees. We stopped. and called:
Lola. dear. come and speak 10 me-
She stood still. and looked as II irres-
olute whether or not to respond to my ap-
peal.
4 win tay here. Go to her." said Miss
But. as Il she had OWNED my intention.
had done before. and going her way was
presently hid by the tall brake. AS we
crossed the opening where we had previ-
ously seen her. looked back, and perceived
u.s.. It was easy to conceive her misery.
and tho bitter feelings Of her heart. She
was unalte-ed, but ] was no longer the rough
toiler. grateful for a tin Of water fetched
from the stream. All that was past. /
was no longer her companion. 1 should
never. never more share her hard fare. and
look to her to lessen the hardships OF exist
ence.
but on foot. Miss Lascelles and /. straying
thlther without purpose from the garden
where we met. We came to stream
bridged by a single plank supported in the
had fallen away In decay. 1 gave her my
hand. the {6nr Of falling made hor clasp my
fingers lightly. She seemed to enjoy the
little dHnserf rfitanimstsd her faceI and eyes
sion imaginable. Her hand seemed to corn
municate the quickened pulsation OF her
heart But II was not fear---it was intoxica-
tion-that agitated me: and when she put
her he foot in safety on the bank and looked
my head completely. kept her hand in
mine. and when she tried to withdraw It.
forced 1t TO my lips. and pressed kiss upon
1t. The color left her cheek. and in tone Of
reproach she exclaimed: "Oh. Mr..
Thornc!" and was ashamed. We walked
home, and were very silent on the
way. / sought Sir Edmund at once.
and. finding him alone. told him
wife. He was thunderstruck Dy.this sudden
and unexpected announcement.
Il love your daughter" said. and can
not stay In this house keeping my passion q
secret"
WELL" said he. with rather ruefuI pleas
antry. you have lost no time. Mr. Thorne; !;
but 1t would have been a poor compliment
to my daughter had you failed to perceive
her charms.
bo uuiis tuu6Su, ndu S06
to impress me" ] replied.
We tnlked for some time. and finally he
said with emotion: -.
i must give up my dear child. sooner or
later. Her happiness Ia dearer to me tn IN
anything. and can wieh her no greuter
blessing than to find sood and worthy
husband"
At that moment Edith opened the door:
but. seeing us. she stopped In the en-
trance.
Come here. Edith" said Sir Edmund.
And taking her hand. he continued: Mr.
Thorne. wishes you to be his wife,. is that
your wish aiso2"
She buried her burning face In her
fathers shoulder; she could neither say yes
nor no.
1t Is n question that should not be de-
cided hastily" the baronet continued; "tako
time. my dear. Meanwhile. SEQ no reason
for your leaving the house." he added. ad-
dressing me.
-Ualess-" faltered.
'Unless Edith wishes It," the baronet
eaid, helping me out. True. Shall you
feel more at ease. dear, IL Mr. Thorne goes
away--for certain time. say? Shall
no go?"
stin screening her face. Edith shook her
head. and then knew that had won u
treasure greater than the Hesper diamond.
In the atternoon Of the 2Cth sir Edmund
- bef6 6den lookinnst your enrac sn,ent.