Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1892-03-25
SIDNEY Lorraine,
Or, Tho Counts burden.
CHAPTTR III. CONTINUED.

good Introductory topic.
Tomorrow, if it is fine" he said with
q glance at the rain pouring down out
of doors. IL shall 60 forth and explore
drawings | should be glad to take from
the house itself. The one of the opposite
building-I should imagine the older
part of the house, taken from the room
above this--w0uld make a charming
picture"
Il wish 1 could draw" she interposed
"for should like to have just that bit.
It Is charming. All, but" with mo-
mentary enthusiasm, lit should be done
in summer, when the acacias are in
leaf.-or on starlit summer night
her hands clasping and unclasping,--"i
is a dream of loneliness then. 1 should
like to have it,"
He looked at her as if surprised at
the unwOnted stir in the tones, but he
saw she was not looking at him, and the
softness vanished from her eyes, when.
Il will come down and do it for you"
he said. SHOW me what you would like,
and will do my very best"
"Thank you, you are very kind" she
answered. "But, unfortunately, you
have to leave out of a picture the thou
sand scents of a summer night, the
thousand gentle sounds which make it
into a living reality. But it is kind of
you to offer to do it for me, and should
value it. Some day, you know, sup
pose. if I live long enough, 1 shall have
to leave here, and short stout man
who hunts five days a week will take
possession. And as he cannot hunt here,
/ don't suppose he will love it quite as
much as l do"
at must always be bitter thing to
-.rxo - xoxy hopoo ha cold anI falt
that it was purely conventional phrase,
which carried not the slightest weight.
at must, should think" she answer
ed. But, come, as it is so wet, we will
explore the house now, and find bits
suitable for your pencil"
IL do not know why it is" was his
thought, as he followed her about the
house, Il always feel sorry for her,
though surely there is no need. Every
one says she is proud and cold, but do
not always think so. Sometimes it
seems to me as if she would willingly
take more interest, if she could. What
stands between her and life? Is it that
she is satisfied with the present, or is it
that she has past?
will you come for walk?" he asked
her one afternoon. 1t was late, nearly
four O'Clock, but it had rained all day,
and she had not been out, and at the
suggestion she rose at once.
1T would be very pleasant. 1t has
stopped raining" looking out of the win
dow. Il will put ON my hat"
Very little later they were making
their way. against the clustering wind,
through the narrow village street:
as it too rough for your" he asked.
mo, enjoy it." she declared. I'VE
will 60 above to the pine-wood: 1 love
the sound of wind in pine-trees."
you are sure it will not tire your
ut is staying at home and waiting
that tires one," she answered quickly.
~Do not you also think that?"
Il should think it must be so, but that
is rarely mans fate"
mo, it is woman's."
He turned his head quickly. 1t sound
ed to him as if the words came with a
sob, but perhaps the strong wind had
caught her breath, for the road they
were toiling up was very steep. lie
paused a moment, however.
There is no use offering you an arm,
then he said. You are far too indie
pendent to take it, even if you were
tired"
"Even if were tired" she repeated,
which L am not. But l am grateful all
the same."
mo, you are not. Nothing that !
could do for you, nothing that l could
offer you, would you ever be grateful
for. You would say thank you because
it is conventional to SAY thank you,
and you are too well-mannered to for
get it."
well, it is no concern of mine," he
went on. BE happy in your own way
You know what came down here to
say to you. You have put me off day
by day, but 1 could not go without say
ing it. My love is yours-has beer
yours, / think, since the first day saw
you. There is no hope in my heart, but
1 could not 60 back leaving the words
unsaid. You need not even answer
them-what is there to answer? You
can only reply you know it, and that
you do not care for my love; but all the
same it is yours, to do what you viii
with"
She moved step away when he had
spoken. -,
"You need not be afraid" he said; 81
am going to say nothing more-noth
ing. And you need not move; you have
the knack of making man feel as if he
stood so far away, that his words coult
scarcely reach you"
He spoke bitterly, and she lifted hel
eyes with something that might have
been appeal in them; and her voice was
little unsteady as: Forgive me-" she
answered.; II do not mean to be unkind
but can only say that / should not be
happier married. No." regaining steadi.
ness of tone, do not say anything more
should not like to lose your friend
THAT is for your fathers sake, not
for your own. But even on those terms
/ would rather keep it, though it is not
much"
"You will forget" she said.
Il do not think so, he answered quiet
". but he made no further protesta-
tions.
Almost in silence they returned. I'm
der the circumstances it was difficult ia
prolong the walk, besides it was grow.
ing dusk, so they went back the way
they had come.
The dinner hour was rather a terrible
ordeal to look forward to under the Cir
cumstances. Sydney wished it well over
many time, as she dressed. 1t was
difficult to talk as if nothing had hap
pened, and yet it must be.
"He will soon forget. lie Will goaway
tomorrow, and when next we meet
She did not complete her sentence.
Her thoughts drifted away to her own
life, her own future.
1T would not be fair to any One," she