Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-10-02

though he was speaking Of some piece Of
music TO her, aud, forcing back from eye
aud LIP all that made his heart beat 50
wildly, said earnestly
81 should not pain you, lima, let my
words pass-not as "A Jest--no--l wounded
to-day by jest, born Of my own pain--but
as a thought too hastily spoken, thought
that my life is not barren Of al least kind
iy memory"
What n bitter mockery 10 him were such
words They panied her. but they gave
her self command, and she was for the
time even grateful To him; later, in the ST.
lence of sleepless night she saw their hol-
lowness, and knew that his heart had spok-
en- In that first look and tone.
"Kindy memory" she repeated very
low. "Why should you not think so, Sir
Philip? ! owe you too great debt Of graf
itude TO fall short of 30 much as kindly
memory"
"You givs me u problem to solve, lima (;
for, by my faith, cannot discover how l
am your creditor. thought was n debt
or. Hush Give me the wowan's priyi-
lege, the last word, unless you will take IL
in music; and | would rather listen TO
schumann than fathom enigmas."
SO lima played again; and, when sire
rose to leave the piano, she forgot the poor
damask rose, aud the piano-lid closed over
1t, and it died there neglected.
But when lima dressed to go back TO the
Grange, she took sir Philips flowers care
fully from the water and hid them in her
breast, knowing not where else to put
them, for she dared not carry them in her
hand lest they should be seen. Miss Durn-
ford and lima were to return in the car
,ta Let. f,ll .
AS the farewels were being said, Roland
continued to whisper TO his cousin
"You -emember what l asked tonight
about explaining TO your"
eyes," said the girl wonderingly.-
"What do you mean?"
"May come and see you, Ilma?"
81 suppose so; but not yet, not--not be-
fore Thursday"
"But you will come here before then?"
"Maybc. Good night. Auntie is wait
ing"
She ran away quickly, and Darrell hand
ed her into the carriage; then he mounted
Hassan, and rode with the ladies as far as
the Grange. lie would not 20 in, but babe
adieu to them on the steps, lifting Ilma's
hand 10 his lips, rs his custom was; but
this evening the soft moustache hardly
touched the little hand, and he turned
away without parting word.
But there WAS deeper meaning in that
retcence than even in lingering kiss and
passionate words. And when he was gone
lima stood oaito still for moment in the
summer night, and pressed her hands over
her eyes with low quick sob that was half
bitter pain and half the very agony OF joy.
Did Philip Darrell love her! was the
question that lima asked herself over and
over again that night. Had she been a
few years older, there could have been no
doubt as TO the answer-scarceIy any need
for the question:; but, even when there
seemed none other than one solution to
what had passed that day and evening,
still the torturing thought came that she
was foolish and only child. He might be
fond OF her in a fashion, but love her! And
yet Did he fear to bring sorrow OH
herr SO only could she read what must
otherwise seem like trifiing with her; for
his looks. words, and tones that day, his
manner when he parted with her, would
not agree with mans affection for "a
child; that would be frank and free, quite
different. He did not then regard her as
"only child" but sometimes tried 10
make her think he did for her sake, not
for his. lie would not seek her love; but,
alas, had lie not won III
TO BE CONTINUED.