Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-01-23

her three years course. I would have
returned to her them but she would not
permit it,
"Give me another year." she wrote.
II want to be perfect in your sight"
And so yielded.
But she sent me her portrait. Oh,
what face it was Her dark, rich
beauty had grown glorious.
The picture reached me while in Lon
don. | walked the streets all that night.
for | was too restless to sleep. wanted
to go to her at once. But she said no.
During the last year of waiting | be-
gan to think it was | who would prove
the unworthy one. Zathoe would find
me wanting. 1t was indeei n foreshad-
owing of the bitter truth.
But ut length her last loving letter
called 'ne home--3 60
had begged tina. she would meet me
at the Hazelcroft. So with Margaret
Lynn, widowed cousin, she went down
aud re-opened the old house which had
once sheltered us both.
1t was dark when reached 1t. I half
fancied she would be waiting for me at
the gate | forgot that she was no
longer the passionate child I had left
weeping by the hedge.
The low windows were all open, aud
peered into the room. 1t had but one
occupant, tall stately woman. She
stood by the table, her gaze Fixed upon
a jar of water lilies.
1t was Zathoo Lynn. Il entered softly,
and stood before her. could frame
but two words
"My darling y
She drew back, instinctively. But
her lustrous eyes shone like stars.
"You are Rupert Hazelcroft"
caught her white unjeweled hand.
1t lay cold and still in my grasp.
would have kissed her brow. her cheeks.
her lips, but | dared not
"Zathoc p | cried passionately.-
"Havc you no welcome for me 2"
Her eyes were reading my face.
"You have changed" she said, sadly.
"I-was not-prepared for it. But |
can Welcome back to Hazclcroft.'
Her courteous words lacked the true
loving ring, but | went closer.
'Iathoe, do you remember our part
ing four years ago9 You loved me
then-to-day, | love you. We have
both changed"
She trembed at my touch.
"You seem like stranger - she ex-
claimed bitterly
Then, with something of her old im.
pctuosity, she drew from her bosom a
tiny locket. 1t was one | had sent her
soon after leaving IIazelcroft, and it
held my picture.
"Look," she continued, u great sob
in her voice. "This is the face | have
loved so long-that | shall love until |
die /! Rupert Haselcrcft, you have rot
brought it back to me p
"'rbat was an impossibility, Zathoe."
| answered gravely. II was boy
then; to-day am man. And your
face is changed also, yet love you the
more for it. Iathoc, accept me as am.
But tell mc-is my former self my only
rival ?"
yes" she breathcd, rather than
spoke
"Thcn | will win you over--again.
| said, resolutcly. "Zathoe Lynn, you
shall be my wife. Until then you are
free as you have ever been"
She laid her hand in mine impulsive-
ly. 1t was burning hot Rupert
Hazecroft," she cried, II will not ac-
cept the freedom you offer Your gen
orosity has made me all that | am to.
day ] belong to you alone. cannot
love you now. but that, too, may come
in time
took from its velvet case costly
diamond ring "Ths was TO have beon
the token of our betrothal," | said,
"Iathoo will you wear il for my sake 7
For tho sake of the world hardened
man, who would gladly be boy again
if he could"
She looked up tearfully as placed ID
on her finger. II shall wear it always
in remembrance of this hour" she mur.
INJURED.
For moments restlessly paced the
old familiar room. The ocean no longer
rolled between, but time had parted as
quite efectually | glanced at Iathoe
How lovely and levable she seemed
And she was mine-shc said it. The
thought was reassuring
"Sing to me-" | begged at last.
Without word she glided to the open
piano, and soon tender love song filed
the room Her whole soul was in it,
She went on from one to another uncon-
sciously She seemed to have forgotten
my presence The glory Of her voice
kept me spell-bound. When she had
finished at last her head dropped upon
her hands. | bent over her and fer
vently kissed her forehead
She sprang to her feet.
Forgive me. Music is my meat and
drink. love it next to heaven"
'rhen can only hope for a third
place in your affections, | said pointedly.
She did not reply, and we passed out
to the veranda, her hand just touching
my arm
The silvcry moonlight was over every
thing, and Ilthoc glanced about her ap-
preciatively. "Hazelcroft is a beautiful
place !" she said at last. II have loved
II IRON Childhood.
Then. why not become its mistress
tomorrow r [ asked eagerly.
But she shook her head. "To-mor-
row | am going away with Cousin Mar
garet Her home is in Boston"
IL will follow you there" | continu-
cd boldly. "You shall not escape,
Zathoc Lynn. love you more than
life itself! Promise that you will try To
love nc little in return 7"
II have begun to try already" she an
swercd naively.
Then at our next meeting | can
hope for different welcome p
eyes"
drew her beautiful face TO mine, anil