The Red Cloud chief., 1892-06-10

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CHAPTER VIII.
"rIKE SWEET BELLS JANoL.ED o. rrNR
AND HARSH"
Two young faces were sheltered
under the light shadow OF some larches
In Kew Gardens. II was q Sunday
afternoons; Sunday groups were scat
tered all over the grounds, and the man
followed their movements with a look
Of disgust; but the girl, sitting quietly
on the grass, took In all the beauty Of
the place with purc and simple delight.
The u Of paradise seemed to be shin
ing on these golden paths; it was one
Of those moments whom u poor
daughter Of earth has caught a glimpse
Of that old garden where Gods first
pair OF lovers rejoiced together. They
had talked a little, but silence seemed
10 suit them best II was q rare thing for
Michael Chase to be silent; but there
were matters In his mind that he did not
care 10 discuss with his companions He
had been autobiography kind perhaps
but Olive was well contcnted. He had
spent some hours in her company with.
out finding q single fault with anything
that she wore, or said, or did. She
could enjoy the bliss OF sitting by his
side in peace. This she thought, was
the sort OF happiness that she had al
ways waited and longed for. Flowers,
the soft shade OF trees, summer sun
light, and the presence of the man who
was the sole king OF her heart What
more could q woman desire? But she
did not give voice TO her Joy. II you
talk about happiness 1t Is zoe apt to de-
sert you. II is nm unrestfal spirit, who
always hovcrs over US with wings out-
spread, ready for an instant flight.
Some n passing by the couple under
the larches said to himself that the man
was not half worthy Of tho girl. Her
face, with It's rich, sunlit loneliness, had
haunted Seaward Aylstone for many a
day; and now he came upon It una
wares, glowing ont Of the soft gloom Of
tho trees. He had come down to Kew
TO study certain effects OF light and
shade, and then almost forgot the pur-
pose that had brought him there.
Yes; II was the same face that he had
scon bending over the flowers in the
Regent street shop. and II had seemed
TO him that one OF his vague dreams
Of beauty had suddenly taken shape
and become a reality. But this vas the
first time he had ever seen her ont of
the shop and its surroundings, and all
her charms seemed doubled and trebled
to-day. Her lips, scarlet as japonica
blossoms, were parted in IN uncon-
scious smile. Hitherto he had only be-
held her grave; now she was quietly,
yet girlishly gay. Until this moment
he had not realized how young she was,
nor how new the world appeared to
her. That fresh delight. hat UNI
troubled belief which only comes once
In a lifetime, these glorious follies Of
youth, were hers still.
The young man by her side, short,
slightly made and bluc-cyed, inspired
Seaward with sudden and unutterablc
dctestation. The young mans eyes had
a cunning and complacent twinkle In
them, and they were set too near to-
gcther. Yet he was what women call
mice looking" and had a fresh com,
plexion and fair, curly hair; and his
clothes were really very we'll made and
carefully-too carefully put on. 1t was
clear that he did not belong to AIRY
and his friends, and his face gave evil
dence Of sober and decorous living. But
instead Of respecting him for his vir-
tues, Seward Aylstone only disliked
him the more for them. II was wrong,
it was unreasonable, but It was human.
There Is q certain form Of moral excel
lence which never fails to be exasper-
ating.
The pair were quite unconscious Of
his scrutiny; the young man vas too
much self-absorbed to notice him, and
the girl was too happy to be observant.
He went his way, feeling u%naccounta-
bly, soured, and loft them still sitting in
their shady nook under the trees. :
But II Seaward Aylstone had fingered
q little longer in their ncighborhood he
would have seen q change In the lovely
face that had been so bright with inno-
cent Joy. olives cup was so full that it
brimmed over at last. Instead Of pre-
serving that spell Of blissful silence un-
broken, she was unwise enough 10
speak. 30 -
"Michael, Is not this y perfect day?
Is il possible for us ever to be happier
than we are at this moment?"
The curl Of his lip answered her even
before his words came. Her question
had broken in upon the great plans
that he was making for the future; and,
in truth, success was 30 @ that he
had a right TO think Of using II. II was
no vague vision that he had been con-
Turing up, the goal was all but gained.
and already he was building, in fancy,
the palace in which he should take his
rest. Rest! The word had NO real
meaning for him. tho longings in his
heart could never be stilled, nover DO
satisfied by the attainment of his first
desire. Poor Olives littlo speech
stirred up an angry scorn within him.
Ho had been striving with all his
might for grand things, and any OF the
commonest pleasures in life were good
enough Tor her.
II am not quite such . fool" be said.
''as TO mistake a lazy hour In tho sun
shine FOR perfect happiness. Hthis was
tho best moment that life could give
mo I should not care to 60 on living.
Olive, you have 40 aspirations You dc
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