Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-07-01

forgot more than that, Ba1Q the girl, lightly. "I forgot to whom l spoke. Now we are ready, Neil"
 And Col. Stuart moved away, puzzled by MArjoris's perpetual changes of voice and face and manner, and with his thoughts rushing over almost the same track as Neil's were taking, yet not in the same narrow groove.
 CHAPTER X.
 The long, late dinner was over at High Athelston, and the guests were scattered in groups about the brilliant drawing rooms, many of them strolling through the wide glass doors, curtained with pink and white satin, into the conserva- tories, fragrant and beautiful in the August moonlight; and one or two young and fearless ones vspturing out beyond upon the terraces.
 Among the fantastic shadows thrown by the great stone figures on the balus- trades, one of these young ana fearless guests was walking alone now, looking to the right and left, with the moonlight falling on bright and excited face, with rich, quivering lips parted as if in the anXiouSness of some unuttered thought, and beautiful, searching eyes.
 Lima, Lina," she called, softly and at last, though no voice answered, Mar jorie saw the girl she sought, leaning against the great stone Ajax on the low est terrace, her face raised in the mOon- light, white as the pure white roses which dropped beside her.
 Lima" said Msrjorle, very gently, laying both her warm little hands on Lina's cold, elasped fingers, "don't be angry with me for seeking you and breaking in upon your solitude. Lima, the pain you felt I felt, too the stabs that hurt you, hurt me too; that's my excuse"
 II had no right to feel them at all," said Lima, in low voice of pain, unut- terably deep; and Marjorie hinchOd little to meet the stesdfast, sorrowful gaze of the dark, unhappy eyes. "l thought had learned to bear it alto bear all sights and all unkindness but but I was tired tonight, and misera- ble, and could not-could not help minding it. Oh I wish"
 But the intense, passionate whisper broke of there, and Lina's clasped hands-raised passionately for one mo ment-fell still and motionless again.
 You wish Lady Adhesion would let you minRle with her friends only when you choose, you mean ?" inquired Mar iorie, softly. "She never will, Lima. You are very useful to her; you are al- ways ready to make everything clear and distinct to her you are a very pretty object about her rooms you are something tangible for her to lean upon, and, above all, your presence beside her insures her sons attention"
 "Oh, hush l" cried Lima, her low, white brow drawn with e great pain.
 "And all these things being in favor of Lady Athelston's keeping you with her" continued Marjorie, still very soft ly, as she wistfully and sadly watShed the pale face below her, "Lady AthOl- ston will never release you until some miracle has extracted the vast leaven of selfshness which her nature contains. But. Lima "-the girls voice saddened with great earnestnees-"the covert in suits which you have undergone tonight have been worse to me than to you. Oh think, Lima, if they would not have pierced you even more bitterly and more keenly if you had felt that the one who caused them all was your own only sis ter. You will leave this house some day; you can do so when you like; but I-but l, Lima, can never be anything but Louisa's sister. can never, never lose the shame of feeling at everything she does not as if it were done to my self, but worse-oh far, far worse-as if it were done by myself. You can never have that misery"
 "Why does she do it?" asked Lima, in wondering whisper. "I have nsvsr meant to hurt or in1ure her. I can un- derstand the naughty contempt of those strange ladies can understand MT. Jelfrey's supercilious satire I can un- derstand Lady Athelston's timid avoid- anoe of mo when she sees this, and IT think can understand Sir Neil's con- descending patronage; but"
 But you never," smiled Marjorie, with tears in her eyes" you mean you never shall be able to understand why my sister should have made a point of turning every one against you, misrepre- s6nting you so grossly, and making you so uncomfortable. We'll, I'll tell you why 1t is. It's easily told-it's because she's beast Never mind whether it Is envy, hatred or malice. It is oriRi- mated by beast, and it is, therefore, unworthy of speculation. How you shudder T Come in; it is drear and chilly here"
 For an instant Lima shrank back then, with an implicit trust in Marjorie, which had been growing upon her ever since she had first seen the bright, brave, merry face, she took the hand offered her.
 You are so good and patient and Fentle-so wise and trustful, tool" Mar lerie said, stooping impetuouSly and kissing the delicate lips, that 1t seems 3 mockery for ne to advise you. But, Lina--and you know we cannot be any thing but truthful out here in the great wide calm and beauty of the night-I love you so we'll that my greatest wish is to help you and make you happier. You will remember this. Promise me to remember this"
 But Lima little guessed. as the two girls passed slowly up the broad moonlit steps, hand in hand, for how long she should remember this.
 "Miss Chester, Lady Athelston is asking for you. Will you allow me the pleasure of taking her what ahe to miRa ao aoralvNo T#. ''