Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1892-04-27
CHAPTER XVI.

Winter days have come at last: the
planc-trces in the old churchyard of the
Savoy was stripped of leaves, the ash
showed only n lattice-work Of bare
boughs; but the grass was freshly
green, and the ivy spread its beautiful
tapestry over the bank that sloped
sharply down TO the chapel walls. The
gray tower stood up against grayer
sky but the sunshine OF n contented
mind lay warm on olives life.
1t seemed To be the most natural
thing in the world for Seaward Ayl-
stone 10 join her rs they came out of
chapel on Sundays. They always
talked 10 each other in friendly fash
ion; yet ON her side there was little
reserve, on his great deal of defer
ence. Olive was not IA girl who wore
her heart upon her sleeve. IL was n
very faithful heart, its deep wounds
were even now scarcely healed, and
she carried il securely locked up in her
own bosom, As TO Seaward. he had al
ways been rather n grave young man.
who had chosen to live his own life
and work hard at his profession But
1t had never been selfish life, and the
fame that he had won had not been
gained at the cost of better things.
Their talk about Lucy had brought
them nearer together than anything
else could have done. Her portrait
was hanging now on the wall of Olives
little room, and It's presence there gave
her sense of quiet companionship.
All was quiet in Olives life now
thoughts, friendships, hopes. were all
of the most tranquil kind The calm
that had first fallen on her spirit within
the chapel walls had never passed
away, the chaplain's voice still led
her forth beside the waters of com
fort;' and day after day she proved that
IL was:
Better TO have a quiet grief than hurrving
delight:
Better tho twilight OF tho dawn than ;he noor.
day burning bright"
One day Aaron Fenlalse came 20 see
her again. lie had found work to do.
but the wages were small. and he looked
sadly wan and wasted. There was no
need 10 tell her that Michael was mar
ried; she had seen the announcement
81 his marriage in the paper and no
further tidings Of him had ever reached
her cars. But Aaron had watched op-
portunities, and had even hung about
old Mr.. Battersby's great house at
Hampstead 60 find ont how things went
on
why are Won anxious 20 lSnow?''
Olive asked II thinl, it Is best 10 be in
ignorance Let him alone: we have
nothing more 90 do with him, Aaron"
II want to see whether the wicked
Will always flourish like the green bav
tree he answered grimlv. II am
waiting for the time when he will he
withcrcd mp. root and branch. Hasn't
nc spoiled your life and minc?"
"No." she said. 1T is our own fault
II our lives are spoiled. not his We are
fools, Aaron, IL we will not build "A new
house because the old palace is a ruin
Are we to waste our time in sitting
among the fragments 81 shattered hopes
aud mourning over thcm2'
That Is just what ! am doing every
day, replied AARON
And that is just what you must not
do Aaron, why can't you leave on
brooding over your wrongs2 Is your
heart so full Of hate that there is no room
for love in it?"
He was silent, and she went on.
Have you forgotten Jane2 hear
that Robert Steel is expected home in
the spring. Aaron. the most faithful
heart cannot wait and trust for ever IL
no sign Is given"
His gloomy face flushed, and n sudden
light cleaned In his eyes The little
shaft had sped home at last.