Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-11
CHAPTER III.

Sne blUSNtu WIN Il'dNohN anu
slowly, looking almost pretty IN her thln
erayisb dress with some of the purple
flowers through the ribbon at her waist
and In her soft HAIR. As she paused at the
foot of the bed, YOU looked up a. her from
your nest among Courtnev's pillows.
"You'se kis'd me-" you said, land
you'se kis'd Mamma. Why doesn't you
kis' Lally, Conf? Isn't you going to his
Lally?"
1t would have been the simplest thing in
the world for Courtney TO have laughed 1t
off. but he blushed so innocently and
frankly that looked at Miss Arnold. She
was crimson. her eyes had scared look,
and | saw q glance pass between the two.
lifted YOU from the bed.
Look how you have rumpled your
apron!" exclaimed; Miss Arnold, Will
Won get her another. little torment 4"
As she led YOU out looked at Courtney
again. He met my eyes. appeallngly; but
/ was up in arms; he might as well have
looked IN the ewes of the Madeline hanging
upon the wall opposite the bed. | read to
him myself after that. / never LETT
them together for winute If l
could help it. Your grandfather began
to notice. too, but we never spoke
of il to each other. | would have
sent her away, but l had no tangi-
BILE reason, and then she was lnvalu..
able TO me about you. You were one OF
those children TINT one hates to leave with
the negroes, 40 kept her until. 1t was
some time after, perhaps. Courtney was
living on the lounge by the window, re-
member. and was on the porch with you.
/ had sent her in the room for book. /
don't know how ! CHANGED to look around,
but did. and just as / looked he caught
her dress as shepassed by and forced her to
stop. knew just how his eyes were beg
sinc her. and | don't really suppose she
could have helped It,, but when he drew
her down and kissed her 1 hated her,
Crissy. He held her moment.
"Please don't" she whispered. please,
Courtney" Ny face burned. His name
That was too much. | resolved to put an
end TO the affair, once for all.
That night went 10 her room. She had
nut on her gown and was before the glass
brushing her hair. She started culltlly as
/ opened the door and turned. laying the
brush down aud nervously gathering her
night-dress together at the throat. felt
sorry for her. but ii was no use putting It
off any longer. Your grandfather would
have put stop TO the thing If | had not,
and il was very kind of me TO take all the
blame-at least that IS the way 1 reasoned
then. =,
II saw Courtney kiss you this morning."
/ said steadily.
She lifted her eyes appeallngly, a great
wave OF color swept over her face from
brow TO chin. ~
"He loves me-" she faltered, in a pitiful,
helpless way.
"Arcvou sure 2" answered. Courtney
has been engaged to dozen girls of and
on ever since he was ten years old. Only
this March it was katherine Wareth."
She turned white all of sudden. Il
don't believe il " she cried breathlessly.
Your not believing me is a matter of
small moment" ! replied carelessly. But
1 did not come here TO- exchange the lie.
came to tell YOU that IN future we can dis
pense with your services. You have -"
did not finish the sentence. for she
suddenly broke out crying and fell on her
knees by the bed.
"Pow can one woman be so cruel to
anotherYn she sobbed II will die if you
send me away. DO You love your bus
band? Do you love Crissyy"
Now, | am not hard-hearted woman.
/ sat down and took her head on my knees.
lyon are only child" said, land he
is mere boy. 1t Is Just passing fancy.
He has been engaged to Katherine for ages.
II is settled thing"
1t really had been talked about so much
that we had come TO regard IT as settled
thing, though | don't suppose Courtney
had ever made any especial love TO kathe-
rine.
His fathers heart is set on it," | went
on, "and her fathers heart IL set on 1t.
The estates Join, and il is really the only
thing. As for dying, people don't die, OF
love at eighteen, Alice. You will see that
YOU cannot stay. If did not say this my
father would II is best for me. will say
that YOU wish to make visit 10 your
friends in Richmond. and you can make
arrangements after YOU get TO town ABOUT
going home. That will be the best way.
There is no use having scene with Court
ney. Tie need not know you are going ior
good until after you leave"
BY this time she was mp before the glass;
again busy with her hair. :, :,
Every we'll" she said listlessly.. i waited
q little, but she did not say anything else
so at last turned TO go; but before
reached the door her voice stopped me.
us il the truth?n she said desperately.
"How could he kiss me If II is the truth!
IL is so solemn to me. / feel as II my IRE
depended on your answer; but II ne Is
really bound will go away. would not
want any one else to suffer So"
Yes, il is the TRUTH" replied gently.
She looked at me earnestly o few mo-
ments, and then--I suppose l had con-
yinced her-turned away with sob. Yes,
was cruel l did not think 80 aethe time.
what did seemed the only thing 70 DO
done. But know il now. knew 1t then
before many days went by.
Well. lost no time. In two days she
was ready TO go. Your grandfather. went
as far as Richmond with her, for II wss
hardly safe TO let her go alone. She did not
see Courtney alone before she went. no
thought nothing OF her going away. He
supposed that she would be back in few
weeks at the farthest.
!" Write 10 u.s." he said.
She smiled little and dew down her
veil.
at won't be worth while." she answer
ed as she left the room.
She looked very little and desolate 81
your grandfather halped her into the great
carriage, Nv eye, hhed. but there was no