Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-10-02
Dark OarreIl's Bride.
CHAPTER yIm.-CoNTINUED.

passion glowcd 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 IL she hated Roland; she felt
lit seemed TO fash 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 cnildishness
in the woman's passion that shook her
To make her wish that she had been boy,
and so could have struck her insolent
cousin.
"My dear girl" said Roland, seeing that
he had made u grieyous mistake-Darreli
talking to Rose, did not seem To have no.
ticed the episode--.'pray forgive me!
had no idea you wanted to keep the fow-
ers; YOU left them there yourself. They
are all dying"
"lf did, what then: why did YOU go
out of your way 10 touch them!" she all
swercd, and without another word walked
straight away and up the terrace-steps.
Roland stood still for u few moments
with as black look on his face as ever u
mans face wore but, rs he slowly follow
ed his cousin. his brow cleared somewhat.
After all, he said to himself, lima had Ell
Their forgotten the flowers or cared too lit
tie for them to take them from the horses
ear herself and her sudden enthusiasm
for them was something very like an out
break OF childish petulance ut what she
thought gratuitous interference. Roland
Sabine understood much better the differ
ences between one soil and another and
the qualities that go to make a good hunter
than the merest outlines of woman's ma
ture.
Not one look or action of either person.
age had escaped Sir Philip Darrell; but
his delicycy of feeling had forbidden him
! to take Guy overt notice. Why should IL
ma be so angry with her cousins act il she
had believed il what he tried to represent
! IL, simply the result Of passing thought
! Besides, there was more 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 a 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 it wild mad hope.
| w ntn lima IcdCutu HtT
she put the flowers carefully in water; aud
not a few burning tears fell upon the trem-
bling 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
mite thought was struggling in her sorcly-
perplexed mind that Roland did not think
of har ..nnIy "A child y Nlufpypr sir
Philip thought.
just rs she was ready TO descend to the
drawing-room, knock came at the door,
and. when she opened it, there was Ro-
land, looking very penitent and implor-
ing, and holding beautiful halfopened
damask rose.
..Do forgive me Ilma," he said, "and
wear this rose, will you? 1 didn't mean
to vex YOU. You know | couldn't have
meant that, lima"
The appeal was well made to 4 generous
nature. The girl could not reject 1t; and
yet she felt her cousin was less greyed at
! having offended her than afraid. She did
not really forgive him, because she was
! sure that the feeling that had dictated mis-
conduct was still in his heart; and she
! knew that he had spoken falsely when he
owned ouly to thoughtlessness. She smiled
"A little, glanced keenly into Roland's face
! from her long thick lashes, and took the
rose he offered.
| "Ncyer mind" she said gently. 81 am
very impetuous, Roland. Thanks for the
rose. l will wear it,"
She took it and gave him her hand. lie
| 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
J and complimented her OH her leap, about
which, it seemed, Rose aud jamie had been
"bragging."
Ilm, 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 ale hardly heard,
for she was listening to what Darrell was
saying to her aunt about the opera in Flor
ence, Rose exclaimed
china, have you robbed my pet tiee OF
that lovely damask roseS'
"No," answered the girl, starting, but
laughing too; II did not take it. Roland
gave IL 10 me-"
"Then Roland is the thief; but you are
| welcome, my dear"
III am sure she would have been equal
ly welcome if she had taken it," said Nrs
sabine, smiling. "You must treat >a's
like your own home, lima"
GLOW good you are, aunt sabine!' 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 thorn for
him. Sir Philip however read all the sto-
~ Of the flower as plainly rs IL IL had been
written oil the table before him, and lac
smiled to himself os he saw the young
Squire's look and OWNED what passed
within him. "He dare to think of Offering
his love to Ilma" was the naughty OAR
rel's thought. Welded to him tue girl
would indeed be "mated with a Clown
Mrs. Sabine felt anxious OH her sons
account. She could not help seeing that
I T.. q lon, I,..I