The National tribune., 1891-05-07

"since wo have both made this resolve to
amend ourselves rcligiously, il will be nice for
| Us TO 90 together sometimes, won't it" ask
| innocently.
He appears alarmed but do not let him
| speak.
"shall it be St Philips or St. Andrew'sY
q thought you always attended st. An
/ drew's" he remarks, evasiyely.
Yes" ] say; but III be true Christian
and sacrifice myself, if you prefer going else
| where. You know, Mr.. Barton does not Ian
! guish at my side every Sabbath morn
| couldn't stand il. Variety, even in the way Of
'man, is diverting, you know"
] smile and look MP expcctanty. But he
! only blushcs and stammers, aud looks miScra-
| bic and confused ali at once.
" It's good Of you toto want to 60 with me,
! Beauty; but-but-if you don't mind it, dear,
] ! think Ia rather 90 alone. Barton would get
! jealous, anyhow, YOU know"
But can see that this is not his real reason.
Very WELL | say. offended NJ what | con-
! slider his strange rudeuess. Very well; do
/ rs YOU wish about il, of course" l leave him
/ calmly.
After this there is quite a feeling Of con-
I straint between my cousin and myself, Tor the
I FIRST time in our lives. ! no longer doubt that
he has really fallen in love. But do not un-
! derstand has desire to keep me unacquainted
with the particular church TO which he now
! goes so regularly, nor why ne does not conhdo
| IN me rs he has always done. / am hurt,
mystiGed and indignant. aud treat him coldly.
At the same time, womanlke am determined
10 find ont his secret, IL possible. As the weeks
go on, however, despair OF solving tho mys-
terry. j find him very different from his former
self. Sometimes ] fear he is ill-perhaVs
worse. j half make up my mind 70 consult
mamma about him. lie is grave, and seoms
perplexed about something. Very often he
frrla sid TFKvFH a
with the church maidcn-if there is anything
in that absurdity Of miHe-is not going rs
smoothly as hc might wish. ] miss his old
ways and our lons-familiar confidence very
much.
This state Of things goes on for five or six
weeks. With every Seventh Days disappear
ance Hugh grows praver and quicter, and less
like himself than ever. Meanwhile my lover
finds much fault with the various moods and
lenses | make him acquainted with IN eer-
tain young womaH's imperious eapriccs.
One evening Mr.. Barton fails to call or me.
] am at home and 50 is Hugh We are in the
front drawing-rcOm both reading and both
very quiet. lt is the FIRST time we have been
alone together for weeks His presence is I'M
usual. / make no comment. however, but go
on reading. by and by Mr.. Carter throws
down his book, rises and walks over 10 n
pretty tete-a-tete chair of blue velvet standing
in one corner. lie sits down in this aud looks
at me-
Put down your magazine Belle and como
here. ] have something 10 tell you"
j look mp in surprise. His tones are moro
cordial aud confidential than have heard for
a long length Of time. lie does not look quite
sure, however, for get mp slowly and 90 over
60 him, looking bored. / arrange the folds Of
my soft India silk with great care as j take the
other compartment OF the chair in which he
sits. / am indifferent and deliberate. l look
down at the round baby neck of my gown and
admire i hugely, it is becoming.
"Well2"
raise my head with a little stare that is
cool, perhaps frosty. lie IS gazing at me in
tently, strangely. Suddenly his eyes fall, and
he says, quccrly, hesitatingiy:
81 have fallen in love, Belle"
Yes, thought as much" / remark, but
without interest Yet / am surprised; the
avowal is unexpected open my big French
IAN aud begin to study it miuutcly.
" Is she pretiyH" / ask. But of course she
Is, hasten to add; you would hardly fall in
love with an u-lv woman"
Yes, think her the loveliest woman in
the world"
lie says it quietly.
Naturally"
Naturally"
Irony in my voice. conviction in his.
She is the unknown magnetic quantity so
virtuously drawing you to church Of late, is she
nott" question: perhaps viciously.
" She is"
Ho says it without the least shame in the
| world.
what fine hypoerito we are!" say, sar-
clsticaly.
But in good cau5e.p he adds reaching
oyer for my band. "You'lI admit that"
But my hand is engaged-bOth hands arc
engaged.
Pray tell me the name Of your charming
saint" ] venture. j. she down in the calen-
darI DO know her?"
% IL is doubtful"
The answer is to my last question. His voice
/ is peculiar
For six or eight weeks" he begins, "I have
made religious martyr
Ny brOws 20 up
Yes. and fool too, perhaps Of myself ell
/ for the sake Of studying her sweet face unob-
/ served, aud where she could not see me-"
How c0usiderate" interrupt. still admir-
! ing the ropes Of pink roses on my satin fan.
Dear me, IS she 20 far beyond even your aspi-
rations that you dare not speak to her or seek
/ her outg Faintness Of heart or action is new
attribute Of yours, Mr. Carter, isn't it2" /
/ ask this maiici0usly.
ever"
You have met her, then?"
| lie mods.
| And sp0Eeuf"
Not to tell her love hsr." He speaks
/ softly.
| You are apparently much in love with your
| religious divinity" ! assert.
/ o am."
But who is sho? and why don't Won tell
/ her you love herr" / break out, getting tired
and indignant at his prolonged reserve.
Because there have been Obstacles In the
way nc says answering my last question
serious obstacles. / didn't know could tell
her until-until recently"
/ "O.h!"
You don't seem TO take much interest in
my love affair, Beauty"
He looks uneasy and hurt
On, yes, do" answer, feigning enthusi-
asm
But do not see why you should have been
500 sphinx like about it," / am LOSING INV
dignity. You have given me your confidence
abont other things always, why not about this
toO-sooncr, mean"
look At him rcpr0achfully.
| Because -