Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-12-30

for any other Rlrl III 1SdSOnueon1 duo
when his choice was made he was per-
fectly constant. Olives stepfather had
been heard to say openly that he
wished Michael Chase had taken a
fancy to Peggy or Jane, and Mrs. Chal-
lock had been seen to smile with ILL
suppressed triumph. And now Olive
was drawing nearer and nearer to this
wonderful hero of hers, and she scarce
" dared to lift her eyes from the
fiowers, so overpowering was the sense
of joy.
But when the train came slowly into
the station she looked up with sudden
feeling of helplessness and fright. If
he was not here-f by any accident he
had been prevented from coming
what would be the fate of the ignorant
country girl? How could she summon
courage enough to get into cab and
be taken all alone through bewildering
streets to her destination? Her fellow
passengers got out of the carriage with
all speed; the rosy young woman with
the baby gave her parting smile, and
Olive saw her greeted by a sturdy
artisan who took the baby into his
own keeping. Then she, too, got out.
| last of all, and stood disconsolately on
'Olive," said well-known voice.
He was close to her and yet she had
not seen his approach Trembling,
timid, happy beyond expression, she
laid her hand on his arm in mute well
come, and lifted her sweet face to his.
But he gave her no answering glance;
with a hesitation that lasted perhaps
half second, he touched her forehead
| lightly with his lips; and Olive felt that
| she had made her first mistake in show
ing, too openly, her delight at seeing
| him.
''I was little late" he said, rather
| stifiy. "And now 1 must look after
your box. Stand here, Olive, and 1 will
come back to you in a minute"
He went, and she stood motionless as
a statue, chilled to the very soul. A
hopeless feeling of inferiority possessed
her; a feeling that was new and strange
| and agonizing. He was so well dressed
and fine, and she was such a poor i'm
pulsive little rustic, that it seemed i'm
| possible for her ever to be lifted to the
height that he had gained.
| A woman who is crushed does not
generally look her best, and Olives de-
preston told upon her beauty. When
Michael had claimed the box he came
back to his sweetheart, and it struck
him that the forlorn girl, standing droop-
ing on the platform, was not as pretty
as the Olive he had left at Eastmeon a
year ago. Her face looked worn and
tagged; her eyes large and weary; and
there was tremulousness about her
lips which would have touched tender
heart. But man who is steadily de-
voted to self-interest is seldom tender.
Michael had great deal to think of, he
was rising rapidly in the world, and he
did not want his betrothed to be clog
TO him. And there was something in
her shabbiness and forlornness that ir-
ritated him instead of awakening a
spirit of sympathy and protection. If
you have to climb, you cannot spend
time and strength in sympathising and
protecting. He hoped that Olive was
not going to be helpless, and he was
ashamed of the countrifed bonnet and
scanty gown.
Come and get into a cab" he said,
brislzly. ''The Wakes will give you
something to eat; 1 dare say you are
hungry and tired; and yet it wasn't a
long Journey. You are not growing
delicate, hope, Oliver"
r Fancy q rising man hampered with a
n cradle. But Olives answer treasured
r him; she had taken her first lesson in
s the art of self-control, and she now
s spoke calmly:
mo, Michael have not had days
~ illness since you saw me last"
That's right" he said, in a tone of
relief, as he helped her to seat herself
in the cab and took his place by her
side.
A hundred times she had pictured this
first drive with him through the I'M
known streets of London. Always it
had been strange and bewildering, yet
bright with the sunshine of a wonder
full happiness. But now the time had
really come, with all the strangeness
and all the bewilderment; but the hap
piness-why was that wanting? Was
this carefully dressed young man in
deed Michael? And this tired girl sit
ting silently by his side, could she be
the sunny confident Olive of old times2
Surely no.
Poor Olive had, until now, seen her.
self under only one aspect. She had
not realized that it is the lot of most
- people to behold good many different
70 selves before they have done with this
life of changes, and she was startled. as
the young always are, at the unfamil
' lar being she saw. If she could have
= shaken off this stupid detected MOOD
ell might have been we'll, she thought
And presently it occurred to Michael
R, to become affectionate, and he took he:
hand, cased in worn thread glove, int
his own.
I'VE ought to be very glad that W.
are together again." he said. "Londol
confuses you at first, but you will sooi
get used to this noise and hustle ant
find out all the advantages of living il
wide sphere. And you will have nj
to teach you everything"
Olive drew long breath. She woul,
have given ANYTHING for the power O