Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-08-12
THE ATHELSTONS;
OR
VICTOR AND vAN0UIsHED.
By MARY CECIL HAY.

porch, looking out upon the tender sum
lit green of the spring trees, and think
ing, in the stiffness of his great gratl-
tude, of the happiness which had been
given to him. And the deep and pure
content which filled his heart shone III
his ewes, and made them beautiful, In
deed, in their long, long, quiet gaze.
"Alone, AthelstonP''
The dream was broken by this greet
ing, as Col. Stuart came around the porch
from a side path.
Marjorie forbade ME to go to Hawke
dale to-day" he explained, as he leaned
opposite Sir Neil. against the old stone
porch. .'She said she wished to spend
her last day at home undisturbed; but
she confessed that, as they drove to High
Adhesion, she should dismount here, II
Louisa would allow her, and stop few
minutes to show Jet the monument.
She promised him, so know she will
come. If tomorrow were her wedding
day a hundred times over, she would not
fol get her promise to child.
I'VE hoped to see her at High Athel'
ston earlier to-day" said Neil, smiling
assent to the ColOnefs last words. lat
least did. Lima was always sure she
would wish to spend to-day at home.
NOW Sn0 Will OILY dIIlNC "lbh
among host of other guests, not before
yourself, hope, Stuart. "
THANK YOU. But what a crowd you
are entertaining tonight. 1t is too bad,
considering what High Adhesion in GO
ing to do tomorrow.
Eve like it," said Neil, genially.
"You should see my mothers lively de-
light in the anticipation. and her inde-
ECts L. Of m
everything. She never will. j am sure,
leave off issuing improved editions of
every order, until it is too late to issue
an order at all; and does she not act her
part well now-in spite of her sad deaf
nessP"
"Wonderfully well'' assented the
Colonel, with heartinesS, ''and she looks
happy enough to make us all so. Her
strength is steadily returnin :, I'm re-
joiced to see."
Worry always pulled her down, "
smiled Neil, land ease has pluckcd her
up-ease and Lima
lis Miss Adhesion within?' asked
the Colonel, glancing at the closed
church-loor.
Yes. I knew she would like to be
alone when she first saw Gerard's mon
ument. Even to myself, this morning.
it was most sad. with its beauty and its
associations; to her l knew it would be-
so-especially to-day. After to-day,
Stuart, there will be no grief or sadness
OF hers-as there will be no joy, trust
which may not be mine toe"
after to-day" echoed the Colonel,
with quite gladness in his tone. "Neil.
dear fellow, lean hardly believe it even
yet"
Il cam" answered Sir Neil, with a
GJlck brilliance in his eyes. ''And
catch myself plying every one meet,
because he cannot have my happiness,
Fool, Ell, Stuarte"
But the Colonel was far enough from
indorsing this, when he saw how the
brightness of the young mans self-c0n-
graduation was not dimmed by one atom
of self-pride.
At this moment the great Hawkedale
britzska drove up TO the gates; but APP
parently Miss Cattillian did not relish
the idea of waiting there. for the CAP
yiage drove on toward High Adhesion.
while Marjorie and little jet walked to-
gether through toe church-yard,
II did obey you, Marjorie" began
the Colonel, taking her hand with q
glad smile of greeting; But l could
not TtSlSl 10 tuctl YOU hClC.
May Jet go in to Lima, Mariorie?'
into the cool, dim porch. "She will
like to show the monument to Gerard'G
boy, and we have all seen it.
Neil opened the door for the child al
he spoke; then they three waited
together, Marjorie seating herself in 6
corner of the old seat.
Presently Jet came back to them, hi
step slower and softer even than usual
his eyes wet and lips twitching.
''0h, it's beautiful he cried, his
hands locked in Marjorie's lap, as h'
looked up into her face through hi
tears. ''Oh, it's beautiful! and I'm 81
glad. I'm so glad it's beautiful-oh
father.
The little shaking figure was clasped
in Mariorie's arms, and the broken
words were stayed with kisses.
cit is beautiful, dear. because it is
like him."
When the suddenly renewed passion
of grief was quoted, Jet raised his fact
again wistfully.
"Miss Marjorie, now may 1 tel
granny to come? She does so want Il
come this evening-by herself, before
abe comes tomorrow, when the church
win be so beautiful and full. May tel
her nowT
As the child left the porch, Neil en-
tered the church alone, and, standing (
: moment jast within the door, looked
. with eyes full Of love and sympathy q
the slight figure, leaning with its fac,
hidden against the curtained rail of thu
great Adhesion pew.
Then his glance rested upon the splen
y did monument above. Prominent svel
among the Athelstons was this one o
which he gazed, while he walked slowl,
up the white-carpeted aisle. The ex
b. quisite marble figure of Gerard Athel
9 stOn, hfe-like in It's attitude and express
ion, was beautiful, just as he had BEEF
beautiful; though the marble nigh
he whittier and colder than death. Will
to him had always belonged essential
the warmth of happiness and the health