The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-26

| Certainly no one before had seen her eyes
sparkle so brightly or her checks blush
with so happy glow as now.
"And you really think you will give up
permanently your secluded lifc?" She asked
him once, when they were chatting alone
In the corner after one Of old Miss Sarahs
solcniny elegant Sunday teas. You have
been so welded TO science, don't you know,
doubt whether you could ever break your
heart into the traces''--
Without letting her finish he said, "Pos-
sibly might break my heart out of the
traces" And he looked ut her in such
way that she could hardly doubt his wish
to convey the idea that she would he the
cause of the catastrophe.
ooh, you know what mean" She said
quite lightly aud laughing.
Brcnton WAS perhaps more earnest and
engaging than he knew as he replied, THE
question is, DO you know what incan?'
Lilly was equal to the situation still. II
don't believe you know yourself" said She
chcerfully.
"Ah, we'll, if you have so little faith in
my knowledge as that" he began. just
then they were interrupted by Julian
Reed who approached, casting Il glance of
solicitude at Brenton, who ut once set out
to talk emnently sane commonpiaces by
way of an example.
In the ensuing weeks Brcnton was more
assiduous than ever He came to see Lily
Paret rs often as lie reasonably could. He
danced with her, sent her flowers, made
himself her servant He did all the bask-
ing in the sunlight of her presence which
is expected from Il young man who is in
love. And all the time old Miss Sarah
thought he seemed to grow stronger,
brighter, handsomer.
Lilly is his very lifen she exclaimed
rhapsodically i'll the privacy of her lonely
house to the Paret diamonds, which were
the only confidants she had
Matters went on thus for two months.
Then Brenton suddenly disappeared. lie
was seen no more in the club or cafe.
drawing room or ballroom. Everybody
was asking, "What can have become of
hims" Old Miss Sarah could not make it
out. Lily's mother inquired of Julian
Reed whether Brenton was i'll. ''I'm
afraid he is" said Reed, and rcproached
himself for not having told somebody
about Arthur's insanity.
YOU'RE afraid he is!" rctortcl Mrs.
Paret Indignantly. "It seems to me YOU
ought to find OUT
Poor Reed excused himself feebly, and
went off to look for Brenton. But it hap
pened that the very next day Mrs. Paret.
who seldom walked. was on foot near her
house, and met Arthur Brenton himself,
looking exceedingly we'll
why, what has become OF yousn She
inquired.
Nothing" said Arthur; 1--WE gone bacl,
to my work, as usual"
"What do you mcan:"
"1'll tell you,' he said 81 had confined
myself too closely. My doctor said must
throw everything over and take recreation.
He prescribed society. I accepted his adj
vice. I've had a splendid time, and now
I'm all fresh again for my studies"
"Oh' Mrs. Parct returned somewhat
chillingly. Pm glad to hear you have
such wise doctor. 1t was heroic treat
ment, but you've survived the dose; so
it has turned out wcll-for YOU"
"My dear Mrs. Parct." Brcnton OK
claimed. Don't call it a dose / assure
you it has been Il charming expcriencen
Thanks" said Mrs. Paret, and left him.
Brenton feared that something had gone
wrong. His own sensations, moreover.
confirmed the fear. He was not comfort
able. Somehow, i'll spite of his refreshed
state, electricity did not seem quite SO Mt
tractive as formerly
In short time Lily Parct's interest in
social affairs also relaxed With her light
brown hair, her delicate coloring, her grace
full, quiet, listening manner, she was as
charming as ever, but beyond question she
grew pnler and more inert day by day. The
doctor was summoned (the same discern
ing person who had counseled Brenton.
'Miss Paret," he announced, needs n
change-not of scene or air, but of occupa.
ton. If she could drop society and become
engrossed in some intellectual pursuit |
should expect it to do her great good. But
it is n hard thing to manage"
Lily, however, did not think it hard. She
dropped society forthwith for time Hav-
ing had good college training she was
able to start Off fairly we'll OH the pre-
scribed line.
And what branch of study do you think
she chose? Curiously enough, electricity
In her ardent, feminine way she chung to it
all winter, so that when Brenton, begin
ming to feel run down again, tried the old
remedy and plunged into the STREAM of
gaiety," he did not find her there, and
promptly plunged out again The old rem
edy was no longer eflicacious.
Lily, in her new occupation. which was
considered by her circle to be unduly &C.
centric, improved IL little as to health and
checrfuncss, but as for Brcnton, he felt his
powers declining steadily.
Late i'll May he attended meeting n lit.
tie way out of town, which was to witness
some new and rather remarkable eXpcri-
ments, and to his surprise he found Lily
there too. The tests were to be made OH a
somewhat exposed hill, and the weather
being unusually warm the common phc.
nonenon of Il May thunderstorm was soon
developed. This interrupted the business,
for which the party had assembled, and
they all hastily sought shelter
What has induced you to go into this
study Brenton asked Lily with whom
| he stood frotn hn 4
nook
Il might ask what has induced yous,
she said. "You were tired of society 7
| supposcs"