Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1892-03-30
almonds Cor his absence. Olive ucn.

Uncle Wake rejoiccd 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. il
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 a foolish mood when they were
there last, or his headache, perhaps,
had made him fractions. His letters
were so affcctionate 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 to
see her again. Jane was beginning TO
despair, but Olive still wrote to her in
cheerful strain, begging her not to
give up all hope. Surely something
could bc done for Aaron by and by;
and if 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 AylStonc 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 a dream still she wove the
flowers and leaves together She did
not know that his glance always turned
to the corner where she sat with her
pretty curly brown head bent over her
work. She did not know that he lin
gercd 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 sultrv
and still and London was emptvinp
fast, Michael came to see her again.
He came, rs 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
crcctly 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 ''straugencss" and met him with
an anxiety that shaded her Joy.
Dear. You have worked too hard,
she said.
Yet as she looked mt him again she
saw that he had gained something by
the loss of his fresh color; the pallor
gave a new refinement to his face. His
clothes, too, seemed to be worn i'm a
new and easier fashion. He moved less
stiiiy and spoke more quietly.
Il believe l should have broken down
entirely lac said, Iii it had not been
for the sea brcezes. The Battcrsbys are
at South sea, and have been running
down TO sec them
Then You are quite intimate with
them now, Michael? Are they nice
people? Is Mrs. Battersby a good.
mothcrly woman? Are there any
daughters? oh. am SO glad they are
going to bc kind To u.s." cried poor
Olive in her simplicity.
An uneasy look fitted across Michacl's
face.
My dear girl. you should not hv
INTO rapturcs ON small occasions" he
remarked, coldly. How is one to an
swer such a string of questions? First
of all, thorc is no Mrs. Battersby. And,
as Mr.. Battcrsby is feeble old man
whose mind is failing. | cannot get very
intimate with him"
"Oh. said Olive in n disappointed
tone; and there is no daughter?"
well. YES there Is daughter" He
admitted the fact with "a curious rcluc-
tancc. But she is a good deal older
than Won are; and-and you would not
find her sympathetic person, think"
asked
Il really don't know what you mean
by nice il is womap's word"
Michael tried 20 smile naturally. and
only produced strange contortion Of
the lips.
But II people are not sympathetic
they can't be nice" persisted Olive I'M
wisely. You think her horrid, and
don't like 10 say so"
He flushed angrily.
II have never thought anything So
prepostcrous, hc said. II only meant
that Miss Battersby was calm and sen.
sible. and not given TO romantic dream
ing"
The speech was spoken in tone that
panied Olive deeply She strovc TO talk
ON as If nothing had hurt her. but she
was not able Co pretend chcGfulncse
that she did not feel. Michael had not
said word about their future plans:
he did not tell her that she must soon
come 90 new home. lie talked i'm "a
vague way OF changes at the works. and
OF old Mr.. 3attersby', uncertain life.
and said that Edward Battcrsby hated
trouble and business. And then hc
suddenly got mp Co go, and gave her
cold kiss at parting.
When shall see you again. Mich
aelf' she asked
II don't know. / wish could fix
day for coming" be answered: but
Edward b., always wanting me. and
om $50 worried and hurried that there is
scarcely time 90 think However.
VIII write 81 do not come"
When hc had gone olive went away
H. . la.