The record-union., 1891-01-11
" A BROKEN DREAM"
Written for the SUNDAY UNION by Gal,

perusing the delicately- cbiroera-
phy, returned it to me with a comicaI
look of mock dismay.
Must she really come?v
OF course she must. What an abs,1rd
question to ask, you silly boy.n
My husband sighed dismally. Sand
4er Two maids included, 1 suppose. But
really forget, is it two or three?'
Two,' l replied, briefly.
An, yes; now | remember. And a
cog, parrot, monkey, and ten Saratoga
trunks" looking around the breakfast
room fearfully. "Are you quite sure
there is room enough in this-in this
what does she call it in her letter ?"
Dovecot," shortly.
"Dovecot, yes, that's it. Do you think
we can manage to accommodate them
all?n
"Dick, DEAR" I replied 1oftily, sdon't
give yourself the least uneasiness. will
manage beautifully, and [ promise you
shall not suffer the slightest inconveni-
ence, nor be crowded out of your flvorite
chair upon Miss Rayne's account, but
come she must; how can 1 refuse the poor
girls requeSt?'
My husband shrugged his shoulders in
Inherently, and taking up the morning
paper, again resumed his reading, quite
unconcious with what fond, adoring ewes
his foolish, loving wife, was regarding
him.
1 idly turned and twisted the black
Dordered letter into dozen shapes, whose
contents, must confess, were a surprise,
for the writer-Nestore Rayne-was al
most stranger to me, having met her
Short time since at my cousin Almas
country house party, where 1 spent the
pleasantest and happiest six weeks of my
lie; happiest, for it was there l first saw
lrnl- 7
the table, watching my husbands hand
some face, partly hidden in the news
paper, wondered, as l often wondered,
how it was possible for him to choose me
Insignificant little pale-faced me-from
amongst the pretty, nay, beautiful, girls
which surrounded him, this NeStore
Rayne, the loveliest of them all, and who
seemed ever anxious to claim his atten-
ton upon the slightest pretext.
She was, understood, the only child
and heiress to Duncan Rayne the million
alre banker, her mother being dead some
dozen years or more.
/ remember when / asked Dick how he
could possibly prefer me, he kissed me
fondly, calling me his fiower-face, saying
that Alma, his cousin, he loved as sister;
Miss Rayne, he admired as a beautiful
ornament; but, meme he choose for his
wife. And I, how Iloved the gifted young
artist! Happy me. / don't know, but
some sort of instinct told me Nestore
Rayne, beautiful Nestore Rayne, loved
him, too; and I am sure her face changed
from its brilliant color to ashy paleness
when our engagement was first an
nounced; but, after all, it may have been
only imagination on my part.
Our courtshlp was of very short dura-
ton, my lover insisting upon a hasty
marriage, and then straightway carried
me off to Italy, where he told me fondly
he would have me all to himself. And
now we had only Just returned to our
modest little home when / received this
unexpected letter from Miss Rayne, in
forming me of her fathers sudden DEATH
and begging to come for a few short
weeks, where she could hide her grief and
loneliness in our sweet, peaceful little
dovecot.
/ was as much averse to her coming as
my Dick appeared 10 be, selffishly think
ing how third party would mar the
evenings in our cosy little sitting-room.
But not for the world would L allow my
husband to suspect me.
short by "Markham''-my pretty little
Maltese kitten-who had been busily
employed biting and scratching the
quilted rosette upon my slipper, and
with an occasional nip through the thin
covering with his sharp little teeth, which
made me vince with pain. | had twisted
and rolled the letter into a tiny, tight
round ball, when it fell upon the floor,
and the kitten instantly pounced upon it
and bore it away in triumph.
Dick looked up suddenly: "Well,
darling, why don't you write the answer?
If you will be quick about it Pll take it
on my way to the studio.'
l hastily and confusedly searched and
found writing materials with which to
pen cordial letter to Miss Rayne, thank
ing her for remembering me in her
trouble, and graciously according her u
true welcome to visit us.
In due time an answer came, profuse
with thanks, and stating we could expect
her upon such day.
l had been suffering with severe
headache all that morning, and as Miss
Rayne was not due until late in the after
noon, strolled into the garden,
hoping the fresh air might prove
Reaching a comfortable garden chair
just inside the arbor / nicely seated
myself, after first glancing at my watch.
1t was past l o'clock. By must send
John, the coachman, to the station to
meet Miss Rayne.
How comfortable and cool is the soft
breeze through the great oaks gently fan
ming my humming forehead. If l could
only sleep. My eyes close gratefully, and 1
sigh in deep content; my head felt already
much relieved. Oh, for ten minutes
sleep. But no; there was a sound OF
rapidly approaching wheels. 1 hurriedly
retraced my footsteps towards the house,
to find Miss Rayne had already arrived
by an earlier train than we expected.
How very, very beautiful she was. I
looked at her in wonder. The black of
her mourning dress contrasted so charm
ingly with the fairness of her skin, which
appeared almost dazzling in its white
ness. Her lovely, soft, golden hair was
wound into tight wavy knot at the back
of the small shapely head.
Ny heart was touched with pity when
remembered her recent bereavement,
and l impulsively held out my arms and
kissed her over and over again in right
good will.
"You are welcome, dear" I said. The
tears were swimming in the pretty brown
eyes, as she laid her head upon my Shoul-
der, and sobbed softly.
You are so good to let me come. II
you only knew how lonely and wretched
i am.''
/ pressed the golden head tighter
against my heart, feeling very motherly
towards this beautiful, forlorn-looking
Eirl, who was at least head taller than
I, and and nearly five years my senior.
Come with me-" l said. And your
Enaid?'
She shook her head sadly.
II have no maid with me, Nellie, and, -
wan little smile fitting for moment
across the sweet lips, "only one very
small trunk"
i led the way to the room which / had
prepared for my guest. She sank inn
mediately into an arm chair, exclaiming:
''Oh, Nellie, dear, how homelike every
thing seems; how quiet; how peaceful" !"
Delighted at seeing her so pleased,
kissed her again and hurried downstairs
TO send up nice cup OF fresh tea before
dinner.
s'Oh Dick1 cried when nv husband