The Forrest City times., 1891-12-25
Dark -DarrelI's Bride.
CHAPTER yuI.-coNrINuEp.

lima saw the action, and such a blaze of passion glowed in her eyes and flushed her very brow that Roland recoiled, startled. She sprang forward swiftly, aud picked up the flowers, her little hand trembling with the grief and anger which she yet contriv- ed to keep from passing her lips. She felt just then as if she hated Roland; she felt It seemed to flash upon her like sud- den light-that he had thrown down the flowers because Sir Philip had given them 10 her; and there was enough childishness m the woman's passion that shook her to make her wish that she had been a boy, and so could have struck her insolent cousin.
 "My dear girl," said Roland, seeing that he had made q grieyous mistske-Darreli talking to Rose, did not seem to have O. ticed the episode-sspray forgive me! had no idea you wanted to keep the flow CTS; you left them there yourself. They arc all dying"
 ''lf did, what then? why did you go out of your way to touch them?" she an- swcred, and without another word walked straight away and up the tcrrace-steps.
 Roland stood still for few moments with as black look on his face as ever mans face wore but, as he slowly follow- ed his cousin, his brow cleared somewhat. After all, he said to himself, lima had ei. thcr forgotten the flowers or cared too lit. tie for them to take them from the horses car herself; and her sudden enthusiasm for them was something very like an out break of childish petulanee at what she thought gratutous interference. Roland Sabine understood much better the differ- ences between one soil and another and the qualities that go to make good hunter than the merest outlines of a woman's na- ture.
 Not one look or action of either person. age had escaped Sir Philip Darrell; but his delicacy of feeling had forbidden him to take Huy overt notice. Why should II. ma be so angry with her cousins act if she had believed 1t what he tried to represent it, simply the result of passing thought. Besides, there was moro than anger in the brown eyes, more than she was conscious of; and it made the blood of the man who loved her, course swiftly through his veins, and the resolve registered but few hours since was almost forgotten. She, poor child, would doubtless think it would all pass for girls impetuous pride, and would cherish the flowers in defiance of Roland, and not for love of Philip. And he who had bestowed the simple gift drew from 1t wild mad hope.
 When lima reached her dressing.room, she put the flowers carefully in water; and not few burning tears fell upon the trem- blng little hands that performed the task. She felt good deal ashamed of herself, though she scarcely knew why; for she was not bit ashamed of her anger with Roland; and some idea, too slight for def nite thought was struggling in Ter sorely- perplexed mind that Roland did not think Of her as "only child" whatever Sir Philip thought.
 Just as she was ready to descend to the drawiDg-rooin, Il knock came at the door, and, when she opened it, there was Ro- land, looking very penitent and implor- ing, and holding a beautiful half-opened damask rose.
 "Do forgive me llma," he said, sand wear this rose, will yous I didn't mean to yex you. You know l couldn't have meant that, llma."
 The appeal was we'll made to a generous nature. The girl could not reject it; and yet she felt her cousin was less grieyed at having offended her than afraid. She did not really forgive him, because she was sure that the feeling that had dictated his conduct was still in his heart; and she knew that he had spoken falsely when he owned only to thoughtlessness. She smiled little, glanced keenly into Roland's face from her long thick lashes, and took the rose he offered.
 "Ncver mind," she said gently. I am very impetuous, Roland. Thanks for the rose. l will wear it."
 She took it and gave him her hand. He drew her towards him and kissed her cheek; and for the first time, lima colored under her cousins caress, and drew back quickly from him.
 "Come down soon," said Roland, with inward elation noticing her confusion and lima promised.
 She put the rose in her dress and went down. Mrs. Sabine called her to her side and complimented her on her leap, about which, it seemed, Rose and Jamie had been "bragging."
 lima laughed, and tried to turn the con- versation from herself; and the announce ment of dinner came to her rescue. At dinner she was placed next to Roland, Sir Philip being opposite between Rose and Jamie. Suddenly, while Roland was say ing something to her that she hardly heard, for she was listening to what Darrell was saying to her aunt about the opera in Flor ence, Rose exclaimed
 "llma, have you robbed my pet tree of that lovely damask rosei"
 "No,' answered the girl, starting, but laughing too; "I did not take it. Roland gave it to me-"
 seThen Roland is the thief; but you are welcome, my dear"
 sI am sure she would have been equal ly welcome if she had taken it," said Mrs Sabine, smiling. "You must treat ta.s like your own home, llma."
 "How good you arc, aunt Sabino.' re- turned lima gratefully, the quick color flushing her cheek but the deeper because she knew that Sir Philip had looked at her.
 Roland glanced at his dark face, and wondered whether his gift had a thorn for him. Sir Philip however read all the sto- " of the flower as plainly as if it had been written on the table before him, and Ee smiled to himself as he saw the young SQuire's look and diyined what passed within him. ssHe dare to think of offering his love to Ilmaw was the naughty Dar- rell's thought. Welded to him the girl would indeed be "mated with a clown" Mrs. Sabine felt anxious on her sons account. She could not help seeing that Ilma's great beauty and fascination had made deep impression on Roland, and she might well ask herself what the end cs life was likely to be, with such u brilliant eounter-action as Sir Philip Darrell; and, even if Darrell had not been on the scene, Mrs. Sabine had too much good sense not to see that there was 10 community of thought between the young Canadian and her Cumberland relative. Nothing was revealed through Ilma's wearing the rose !; hut she felt certain that Roland meant uaar. in affarinsr if fhan tLe .rirl had any