Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1890-07-01

II
have not the slightest idea"
what, after your last letter to my
son p said Mrs. Clavering. ~That clearly
proved that you suspected his growing
indifference. Miss Dover, / am sorry
for you, and / blush for my son that
your acquaintance this summer led into
a serious ENHANCEMENT; but you might
have foreseen-
aStop. madaml" cried Lillian, rising.
Her cheeks were afame, and her eyes
cleaned darxly. ~Your son loved me
this summer, whatever influences have
been brought to bear upon him since
When we parted offered him his free
dom, but he refused il. Does he wish it
SOW! Has he sent you, his mother, to
tell me tliis2 Was he ashamed to come
himself and confess the TRUTH"
do not be too hard upon him, said
Mrs. Clavering. You are very pretty,
and--I can understand his infatuation;
but the affair should have ended when
you parted. He is now about to offe,
himself to a girl who is in every way his
equal; and | approve. So, Miss Dover,
you viii please accept these.
She offered her a small bundle of let
lers, and Lillian took them with ice cold
fingers.
She was too deeply hurt to speak, but
the expression of her face would have
touched harder heart than Mrs. Claver-
ing's.
my dear Miss Dover, am truly
sorry, she began; but Lillian interrupted
her.
do not add insult to injury" she
said, looking the elder woman steadily
in the face. II accept my letters, and
hope your son will prove more faithful
to her whom his mother has chosen than
he has to the girl whose love he won
only to slight. My only misfortune was
that did not love an honorable man.
Mrs. Clavering began to murmur
something about summer fiirtations,
but the look that seemed frozen upon the
girls features soon silenced her.
She soon took her departure; but she
carried with her the memory of that
proud slight figure, with its air of regal
dignity, and the scorn that shone from
those lovely eyes.
A queen could not have borne an in
suit with better grace.
But when the visitor was out of sight,
Lillian became the weak woman again.
With the letters her false lover had so
cruelty returned pressed against her
heart, she fell upon her knees beside the
sofa and gave way to bitter tears.
Not for moment, however, did she
think that Lees love for her had been
pretense; there had been no summer
Irritation" between them.
She felt that he had meant to be true
when he left her, but he had been weak,
and could not make the necessary sac
rifices to retain her love.
IF were q man, would give up the
whole world for the woman / loved,
she thought bitterly. MY idol was COM
mon clay after all, yet how believed in
him-and loved him.
She destroyed her letters; then gath
cred those he had sent her with the few
trifling gifts he had made her, and sent
them to him. So ended her first brief
romance.
After that the quiet existence in the
cottage became uncomfortable to Lillian.
She felt that she must be in the midst
of active life; she grew restless and
moody. She tried to cast her grief aside,
but it bore heavily upon her, crushing
out all JOY and gladness.
At that time, when she had decided
she must make some change, letter
from an old schoolmate reached her.
She was preparing for trip through
the Southern States, and she desired
Lillian TO accompany her.
The invitation was accepted, and few
days later the two girls, with an elderly
companion, were speeding toward the
South.
In Washington Lillian met the girl she
had heard Lee speak of so often
4Olgo Price, great belle and heiress,
dear, said her friend. 1t was rumored
that she was to marry Lee Clavering."
is he here, then ?" queried Lillian, her
face paling at the thought of possible
meeting with her old loyer.
~Oh, no; that was some time ago, was
the answer. ~The Claverings left the
city several weeks ago, but they did not
come here. They went further South, |
think, for they have a lovely residence
IN pretty little Virginia town. We win
see it, for wish to visit friend there.
Lillian was reluctant to go, but she did
not wish to confess her secret.
On the day that her friend made the
visit she remained in the hotel on the
plea of severe headache.
When her friend returned she inquired
indifferently of the Claverings.
-Isn't it terrible1 Mrs CIavering has
been stricken with the small -pox, said
the girl. -An the servants have fed,
and they could get no one TO 60 there
but an old colored nurse. or course
there are no competent nurses here, and
there is no one with her TO take charge
Of affairs. Her SON left for Africa, and
win not receive word for some time.
suppose the doctor win send to the city
for aid; but how terrible to be sick, and
~ nr.a naor uvI,r, onr.nr fr,r xr<a.