The morning call., 1891-10-25

upon his bosom.
Tenderiy he held her to him, kissing her
fondly, evidently whispering afeetionate
consultations.
Meg's little hand clenched, her red lips
compressed half with horror, half with in
dignation.
Finally the woman grew calm, when
Horace. taking out his pOcket-bo pressed
what Meg was certain were bank-notes into
her hand. Then once more they embraced.
He assisted her over the stile, and said, as
they parted:
"As you persist, dear, In my not accom-
panying | will not; but rest assured, will
soon make an excuse for running up to Lon
don, when we will have happy time of
it together alone, with no one to interfere
with u.s."
when with you, Horace, is my only
happy time" she answered, as with bright
smile she moved away across the meadow.
Horace Walton watched her out Of sight.
after which, recroSsing the stile, he came
swiftly along the path which led in the di-
rection of the Pines, His arms were folded
his face full of painful thought.
Poor, poor Amy" Meg heard him utter,
as he passed close by. cannot be but
true TO her; should be villain were | not
to be. The poor girl! the victim OF her own
sincere, trre lovep
Meg had held her breath, and crouched
low among the ferns to avoid detection; but
directly Horace Walton was out of sight
and hearing she arose and ran for the wood
as fleet as fawn. Reaching the Devor
grounds, she slaekened her pace.
She had got possession of terrible. a
mysterious secret! What was she to do
whit?
Keep it to herself she dared not! Horace
evidently loved this woman passionately
his tone, his glance, his manner, proved i'll
Then. why was ! he e, marrying s Laura
pannn1
wed the son of Sir john Walton, therefore,
lie insults Laura with a pretended affection
because she is rich, and the match is Il good
one; but dear Laura shall not be so duped,
or it shall be with her eyes Open"
Still in doubt how to proceed, and whom
to tell first, reaching the draWing-rO0m win
dOws, Meg looked In.
Dick was alone Seated on the music
stool he was picking out the tune OF song
with the right hand. Why not tell him and
get his advice? 1t would remove some OF
the responsibility off her shoulders, and per-
haps he could break it to Laura She, Meg,
felt she should never have the courage.
In an instant she had thrown her hat and
cloak on the terrace, and opening the win
dow entered.
"Hallo Meg?' exclaimed Captain Lash
mere, looking over his shoulder at the click
of the latch. Il thought you were in your
own room. Come and try this song OF
BlumenthaPs for me, Thinking OF Thee !
It's awfully difficult
Not at present, Dick. Where is Laura?'
The mater wanted he-that is, she
wanted you, miss, but you not being forth
coming, she took Laura, and L am stranded
Love, weak with hope and fear
Thinking OF theeH"
"Dick. dear " said the girl, putting 81
hand on his shoulder, please leave off sing
ing I've something to tell you
why, Meg, what's the matter? You are
absolutely paie.'
Il don't know what is the matter" she
replied. i hope nothing. But it's about
Horace; and / want your advice, Dick, as to
how to tell Lauraw
Harry isn't i'll? He hasn't met with
an accident ?' cried the Captain, springing
up in concern.
+" No. not thatI Dick, II think he is in
love with somebody besides Laura-some-
body who IS pretty, bat poOri"
s. Nonsense! Good heavens, Meg, are you
aware of what you are saying
=" Not quite, Dick, my head is in such a
whir! But pray, oh pray hear why think
so before Laura comesp
Captain cashmere, perceiving his sister
was in most grave earnest and no Jest. led
her to 4 couch, aud. sitting down by her
side listened soon with the deepest atten-
This is very singular, Meg" he re-
marked when the girl concluded. "Yo on
were quite right to tell me; but, by Jove
| don't know what to do! OF course Horace
cannot marry Laura without explaining
who this woman is. The question is, who
is best to request this explanation. If the
pater, he must be told everything. If NY
self"
Il think, Dick, as it concerns me most, 1
am the right one to ask Horace for mean
ing"
The brother and sister turned, then rose
in some confusion and compassion, for
Laura. exceedingly pale, stood behind them.
''0h darling Laura" cried Meg plying
then?"
" Everything" answered Laura, gently
putting her sister back. As DICK says, 1t
is very singular; and Horace. of course
must explain. But," the pretty lip tremb ed,
Il will never believe he could so have in
suited me-"
" Neither can l believe it. Lau," put 10
Captain cashmere. And, of course, he'll
explain, dear Do you think we outh h; TO
tell the pater?"
" Not yet. "a rather. Dick, see Horace
first. lie is coming this evening. He said
ne would try to be round before 8. Hark!
that Is his step!'
The two looked at the girl perplexed-she
was so self-possessed and calm; but her
white face prove how severely she was SUI
fering.
Go, please" she whispered, motlOning
to the inner drawing Il would pre-
fer being alone"
They obeyed, and hardly had the curtains
closed behind them than Horace Walton en-
tered.
He came forward with bright smile, say
Ing:
well. dearest, you see l have managed
to get here" Then he added, with deep co n
Germ, Laura, what is the matter? How pale
you are! How strange you look"
"No; | am quite well. Only Just now |
have heard that which has both surprised
and panied Inc, Horace" she said, with a
brave effort controlling her emotion. That
is. 1t would considerably have done so had
l not been sure you would explain it
readily"
Il EXPLAIN" he calculated. "TO you,
anything, Laura"
"Then you told me, Horace, that pos
sessed your true, your undivided love"
You do, Laura darling!
Can it bel and her gentle eyes looked
into his. Horace, l have been informed
otherwise. DO you mean that you care Tor
no woman but me-that no woman's lips
but mine have ever been pressed by yours
even this very evening"
lie started; the color sprang to his face.
He regarded her with panied nXtty.
Laura" he murmured. you know"
That You carry beautiful woman's por-
trait ever with you-that you met her in the
pine wood this evening-that you used the
most eEdearing terms to her, Horace "
Who told you this, Laura?' he asked.
He was pale now, his brows were con-
tracted as by suffering. his eyes we're ben.
on the ground.
what matter, if 1t be true? Is it?" she
asked, earnestly.
sit is"
THE woman is dear to you, Horace? ?" she
asked, family.
Very, Laura"
"WhO then is sha pr
He did not answer. 1t was evident he
was undergoing terrible mental agony.
Horace" said Laura's sweet voice, as
she put her hand on his arm, surely /
ought to know. l trusted you: said | was
sure you would trust me. Was | wrong?"
"Ohi Laura" he calculated, almost with
a cry, do not ask that womanS name, for |
may not tell you. Yet the love i bear her Is
a different love from that | feel for you. Do
not mistrust me, dearest, but on this subject
my lips are sealed may not speak"
Horace, they should not be sealed to your
future wife"
They might not be. might risk it, but
II Is not only you, Laura, who knows of-oi
this woman's existence?"
mo, Dick and Meg are aware of it."
Good heaven!" ne crird Now l see
the madness of her coming. Poor-chlld
Ohl Laura, II you only knew
81 wish to, Horace. Nay" she added