The morning call., 1891-11-03
AN OLD ADMIRER.

"Uron my word. Leila" complained MIS-.
Edley, my compliments are quite thrown
away upon you. Twice have l proved how
unselfish | am by praising that lovely cos
tune, and acknowledging that nothing
could set IF your delicate skin and TAR halr
as well as the very dark prune velvet you
have chosen. l have even admitted that
your furs are haudsomer than nv own, ana
what have you said in return? Why, moth
ing. What do you find at that window to
attract you? When left the freside half
an hour ago and peeped out l only saw the
leaves falling, and the mists rising from
the river"
There is a carriage coming up the ave-
nue." Leila suddenly announced
Mrs. Edley tosse aside the white wool
wrap she was knitting, and ran to peep over
her friends shoulder.
"D0 know the equipage? Alas! yes.
1t is that horrid Mrs. Dobson's, and she
will have three out of her six daughters
with her., Now, to be tOrmented with
nauseous dose Of gossip and scandal VIII
you help me to swallow 1t 2"
81 don't mind" said Leila, carelessly.
zone must submit to such infections some-
times, and Mrs. Dobson is not worse than
her neighbors. But here comes more at
tractive metal for the Misses DObsOn than
YOU aud |. Your husband and the gentle
men staying with you have just crossed the
ridge, and are strolling toward the house.
See they have given their guns to the,
keepers and"
Leila paused. retreated step or two
turned white, then red, muttered 10 herself,
81 knew ! could not be mistaken and bent
q reproachtul glance on Mrs. Edley.
You might have warned me that should
meet Major Lamond here!'
is he of the party? Then he must have
Joined them at luncheon; he is not our
guest. Although you never would tell me
why you and be parted l have always felt
sure that he did not use you well, and my
only reason for not mentioning that he was
in the neighbOrhood was my reluctance TO
revive"
pray say no morer' Leila hastily inter-
posed, "tut let me go home; l had rather
much rather not meet Maj or Lamond just
but you were to have spent the day with
mel We have had none of the pleasant chat
We promised ourselves l had so much to
ask aud. he1r!
Dear Mamie, you must let me go!' and
now Leila spoke so agitatedly that Mrs.
Elley felt il would be cruel TO oppose her
wishes.
Away with you then before the Dobsons
Alght, or the men have reached the hall.
But on second thoughts | will not let you
leave ME after all. You have not seen the
winter bower my spouse has built for me
after the plans yOu aud drew two sum-
merS ago. | can let you out through the
conservatory, and the first path in the
shTubbery will lead you TO it. l will Join
you there as soon as l can get rid OF those
women.
Leila needed no second bidding. Snatch
ing up the hat and furs she had Just thrown
of, she fled, dOnning her wraps as she went,
forgetting herself entirely as soon as She
came in sight Of the charming little editce
Mr. Edley had erected to crafty one OF the
whms of his capriciouS but atfectiOnate
wife.
1t was a Crystal Palace in miniature,
filed with the most exquisite ferns and
flowers, sheltered within its transparent
walls from the iTosts and fogs of an English
November.
An agreeable warmth always reigned
withInit; and, to make 1t more acceptable
to its pretty mistress, the floor was covered
with rugs woven and dyed in imitation of
various moses; while the quaint seats,
framed in twisted woodwork, were cush-
Toned in velvet of the same soft hues and
descriptions.
Leila was so hot and breathleSs by the
time she reached this haven of refuge that
she was glad TO dip her handkerchief into
the basin of a little marble fountain and
cool her burning cheeks ere she threw her
self into low chair. haf-hidden among
the pendant leaves of & tall shrub from the
F,ji Islands.
Had she acted wisely in running away
from the man whom she had once loved
with all the ardor Of which her young heart
WAS capable?
Yes, it was more prudent to avoid him
than to risk betraying- by blush or tre-
NOR in her accents, that she had not quite
forgotten how dear he once was TO her.
She had never known precisely why Ma
lor Lamond's attentions suddenly ceased
and he LETT England. Some one said in her
hearing that his debts had driven him out
OF the country but surely he would not
have gone without word of explanation to
the girl by whose side he had fingered so
long and 30 often, if her friends had not in
teTfeTed to prcyentit.
II this suppositon was correct, how
much he must lave suffered! And what
would he not feel il he learned that she had
been so near-so very near!-
But hark! a step was rapidly approach
ing the bower 1t must be Mrs. Edley's.
She had succeeded in escaping from the
DObsOns much sooner than her friend had
ventured to hope.
The door was opened, to shut again with
a click behind the newcomer, and Leila
ianguidly parted the intervening boughs
that she might accost Mrs. Edley.
2 But she withdrew her hand in haste, and
her heart began to beat with sutfocating.
Tapidity. 1t was not her hostess she beheld,
but Major Lamond
There was no avoiding now, for, little
suspeoting that lie was not alone, he seated
himself on the other side of the shrub, and
pulled out his cigar:
"a lucky escapew he calculated as be
struck fusee. IF Edley had not happened
to mention who was with his wife | should
have stalked into her presence, and that
would have been cruelty to myself, for
could have liked her immensely il she had
anything besides her pretty face"
''She certainly was very pretty" he added.
Major Lsmond had habit of soliloquizing
aleud-''but perhaps she has gone off. Tom
Drlaunay said she hadl Poor little Lella!'
There was fash in the eyes Of the
listener, a quick compression of her lips,
and then she glided into sight and swept The
gentleman a mocking curtsey..
much obliged to Mr.. Delaunay for his
criticism on my fading charms. Was it
from him you were quoting, Major Lamond,
when you spoke of me so commiSeratinglg ?
Ii so, how pleased you will be-for my sake
misappliedl have been rich, Leila ever
~ since my uncle died., leaving me twenty
thousand pounds!'
=. Her nearer gasped in establishment
SIS it possible? l was always given to
understand that he-that you"
That he had nothing: to leave me? |
thought so till heard his will read
Twenty thousand pounds! Allow me to
congratulate you. Who could deserve 1t as
well? In the sad and tedious hours of nv
wanderings how often have | not Thought
of you and those happy hours we once spent
togetherl"
-! Leila laughed incredulously.
You must have very useful memory If
9Ou ~ vi lUlStJ ~ your
convenience"
Leila. some one has vified me toyou!'
exclaimed the Major, sadly. "Some one
has taught you to think Inc false and un-
worthy"
my dear Major Lamond, l never listen
to scandal, and your name has rarely been
mentioned in my presence since we danced
together at Lady Lvgon's ball"
"Ahl what an, enhancing night that was
SOuviennes lOi?'
rppoilaat
home. II was most vexatiousw
The Major sighed.
Is this your only Renaissance OF that
night? he murlnured.
"Oh, no! for Harold Craven found 1t and
brought IT back to me in the morning."
Harold Craven-hum! He is related to
Mrs. Edley, l think"
"And she is my dearest friend. 1 am
.. very fond of Mamie Edley."
Then must try and like her, too; but
that will be impossible If she is false
friend instead of a true one."
Leila's haughtylook of onishment was