The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-05-19

be had done, 90 anxious torcpay hiekino-
ness; and latterly he had not been kind
Il added to his penitencs when Ellen
entered the room with some flowers, AL
sweet-scented and his favcrites, for the
vase on his table.
The girl was, as usual, dressed in deep
mourning; her thick black merino, with
heavy folds Of Grape, seemed almost 70
weigh her down and she looked 30 pale
and tired that Mr.. Bowyer felt compelled
to notice II.
"Chfld, have you no thinner clothes :
That frock lie getting shabby too. !
noticed yesterday how brown 1t looked In
the light.
The dust, / expect. We want rain
badly. An my flowers are shriveled up"
said Ellen, STOPPING to brush the hem Of
her skirt with her handkerchief.
1.-THE dust has robbed you Of your
color too, suppose 7''-dryly.
All, that IL the heat, perhaps !"
Don't you think that might be miti-
gated by wearing something thinner, more
suited to tho weather2p
Ellen crimsoned, but did not reply at
once. IT will get cooler soon,n she
said, presently and then, she added, II
think sometimes that this idleness Ia
not the best thing for me. It gives me
too much time for thought. Why should
be q burden to you all my life? Don't
imagine" she continued, earnestly, after
moment, going closer, then kneeling
beside his chair" don't imagine that
like to leave you---that It will not pain
me more than you can guess to cut
myself adrift from the shelter you have
given me. Your wonderful kindness to
me, an entire stranger, is . puzzle to me
still. 1t was SO generous, SO noble Of
you to stand by me and lend me such
powerful aid when even those who had
been my friends held aloof. have
accepted your goodness freely, as know
1t was ungrudgingly offered; but now
now / think 1t best for both our sakes
that we should part.
And what do you think Of doing r.
The words sounded cold, almost un-
feeling, in contrast with the fervor Of her
speech Not an accent Of reproach had
been In her voice, only love and graft
tude but he knew, az surely as though
she had told him In plain words, that she
wished to go because she felt she was no
longer welcome. Uncomfortable and VII
at ease, he took refuge In apparent dis
pleasure at her suggestion.
N"I thought OF going as governess,"
sheSanswered, timidly.
/" You are well qualified, Of course ~
II know q little French; ! can play
and sing-that more for my own amuse-
ment than other peoples pleasure, / am
afraid. ] don't play as learned"
He shook his head.
" Your voice Ii charming, but-forgive
me for saying soft is quite unframed;
and nowadays 50 much is required from
governess."
Then companion. At least | can
read aloud, and make myself generally
useful with little hurt pride.
Are you aware that for every situa-
tion as companion there are not less than
nifty applicants Z"
..Still by some lucky chance ! might
be the successful one.n
You might agreed Mr.. Bowyer, but
with no conviction In his tones.
Well, ! can act. Why should not
60 on the stage under feigned name ?"
His eyes met hers gravely.
= You know as we'll as | do what
objections there are to that scheme"
Youmean that should be recognized,
tracked that might as well have never
attempted to escapes Do you know that
often am tempted to go back Of my own
accord, and-and take my chance ~
Such world of bitterness and despair
lay in her tones that Mr.. Bowyer felt
moved to deepest pity, and his own voice
grew tremulous as he replied:
Do you think me cruel to speak SO
1t is not that am trying to prove that
all doors are closed against you-it Is
because want to keep you with me.
When offered you escape and a home, /
did not act unadvisedly and without
thought. weighed the matter well, and
resolved that. II interfered at all, it
should be to some purpose. When once
] meddled with your fate / felt / was
responsible for your future. And, Ellen,
it has been a pleasure as well as duty
| to try to make you happy don't, tell me
have failedw ~
Forgive mel" she whispered, humbly,
and covered the thin hand that was laid
gently on her shoulder with passionately
grateful kisses. = You are always right,
always good. It is IL who am wrong,
misguided, and unjust.
- don't suppose ! shall keep you
always" he said. Tell mellow do
you like the coloneps son 2"
Very much. He Is dear boy, so
thoughtful and SO kind, like" Like his
father, she had been going to add, then
suddenly, seeing the drift Of his question
she stopped short.
| Anything like the husband you have
doubtless pictured to yourself?n
!. Husbands Her Oh, Mr.. Bowyer,
surely you forgeti" she cried, in horrified
surprise and beseeching eyes.
81 have forgotten nothing; but think
4 II IL time the past should he iDnorad