The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-04-06

SHE SCARCELY NOTICED HIN.
lie yet. Do you know, child, intend
that you shall create sensation? You
will be a noted beauty one Of these
days, If you take care of yourself and
do as ! tell you"
A richer bloom rose TO the soft check,
but the lips quivered as If with pain.
~ should hate notoriety," she said,
proudly.
Nonsense! you won't hate anything
in your new Life," he replied, kissing
her. ut will be life Of charming
dresses and jewels; what can woman
desire more?"
'0h, shall want much more than
that" she answered, looking frankly
up ut him with clear eyes.
But he only laughed, and went his
way.
More days went and came, and he
did not come, but frequent notes made
amends for his absence. Olive went
about her daily business with the Light
est of hearts and the brightest of faces.
Uncle Wake rejoiced with her in her
joy, and Aunt Wake talked Of nothing
but weddings and bridal array. Some
times when Olive looked back to the
Sunday afternoon in Kew Gardens, 1t
seemed very dim and far distant. She
could hardly recognize herself in the
girl who had sat under the larches and
had been so passionately miserable that
day.
All, she would ask Michael to take
her to the gardens again when he had
time enough TO spare. She must have
been In q foolish mood when they were
there last, or his headache, perhaps.
had made him fractions. His letters
were so affectionate and kind that her
doubts were all beginning TO disappear.
He had been hardened, absorbed; every
nerve had been strained in his long
struggle, but now that the end was
gained there would be peace. Yes,
and leisure for thoughts Of others and
good deeds and gentle words.
The one cloud in her bright sky was
Aaron. She had written TO him once or
twice but there was no reply, and he
never fulfilled his promise of coming 10
see her again. Jane was beginning To
despair, but Olive still wrote 10 her In
q cheerful strain, begging her not TO
give up all hope. Surely something
could be done for Aaron by and by;
and II Michael still refused TO come
to the aid Of his old friend Olive re-
solved to take the matter into her own
hands. In some way or other Aaron
should be helped out of the slough OF
despond.
She was so busy with her own
thoughts and hopes that although Sea-
ward Aylstone came several times TO
the florists shop she scarcely noticed
him. AS in dream she heard his calm
voice, ordering sprays Of ivory and
roses, and in dream still she wove the
flowers and leaves together. She did
not know that his glance always turned
10 the corner where she sat with her
pretty curly brown head bent over her
work. She did not know that he lin
gered long at the counter in the vain
hope OF seeing her lift her eyes or Of
hearing her speak. Another girl less
absolutely true Of heart would have OBJ
served his frequent comings and goings
and have drawn her own conclusions.
But Olive was under potent spell.
At last, when the days were sultry
and still and London was cmptying
fast, Michael, came TO see her again.
He came, as he had been wont TO do, on
Sunday afternoon and found Olive in
the parlor upstairs. At the sight of
him the Wakes, husband and wife, dis
creetly vanished. And they said TO
each other in confidence that they had
never seen him look so worn and
strange. Olive, too, was struck with
this "strangeness" and met him with
an anxiety that shaded her Joy.
"Dear, you have worked too hard"
she said.
Yet as she looked at him again she
saw that he had gained something by
the loss Of his fresh color; the pallor
gave new refinement 70 his face. His
clothes, too, seemed TO be worn In a
new and easier fashion. He moved less
stifiy and spoke moro quietly.
II believe should have broken down
entirely" he said, 'if IL had not been
for the sea breezes. The Battersbys are
at South sea, and have been running
down TO see them"
Then you are quite intimate with
them now, Michael? Are they nice
peoplep Is Mrs. Battersby q good,
motherly woman? Are there any
daughters? Oh, am so glad they ARE
going TO be kind TO usl' cried poor
Olive In her simplicity. .f
Anuneasy look fitted across Aiichael''
face.