Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1892-03-02
CHAPTER V.
oLIvE's WELCOME.

Inc journey seemed tedious and long
to Olive, sitting in the corner of the
third-class carriage with her basket of
flowers in her lap. As the train drew
near London she was seized with in
ward qualSing and misgivings, and
looked down upon the flowers rs If they
could give her comfort. But the breath
of the hyacinthS was sadly sweet. and
reminded her of that grave on which
she had laid her Easter wreath Was
II n gloomy omen that thought of
death should come to her. just as she
was entering new path in life?
And then she recalled her last walk
with Michael. on that April Sunday
evening that seemed so long ago His
earnest voice sounded in her ears once
more; his eyes looked into hers with
passionate tenderness; the memory was
so sweet that ii made her heart throb
fast and flushed her check. She was
going TO be with him again-going To
find the present richer in happiness
than the past; what cold there be to
fear? Olive was too young and too ig-
norant to know that the anguish of a
reunion is sometimes worse than the
pain of n parting.
She remembered that Jane had
gathered that bunch of dark velvet
pansies, and the girls words, spoken
with little sigh, came back 10 her Mt
this moment:
You have all the luck. Olive.
don't know why Michael Chase should
have passed over us and chosen you. as
father says. You won't be working
long for yourself; Michael will get on
and marry you out of hand and set YOU
up like lady. Some women get the
crumh and others the crust"
Yes, 1t was strange indeed that she
should be so fortunate. Michael had
never shown the slightest preference
for any other girl in Eastmeon. and
when his choice was made he was per-
fectly constant. Olives stepfather had
been heard to say openly that he
wished Michael Chase had taken n
fancy to Peggy or Jane, and Mrs Chal-
lock had been seen To smile with ill
suppressed triumph. And now Olive
was drawing nearer and nearer To this
wonderful hero of hers, and she scarce
ly dared to lift her eyes from the
flowers, so overpowering was the sense
of Joy.
But when the train came slowly into
the station she looked mp with n sudden
feeling of helplessneSs and fright If
he was not here-if by any accident he
had been prevented from coming
what would be the fate of the ignorant
country girl? How could she summon
courage enough TO get into cab and
be taken all alone through bewilderinp
streets to her destination? Her fellow
passengers got out of the carriage with
all speed; the rosy young woman with
the baby gave her parting smile. and.
/ Olive saw her greeted by a sturdy
artisan who took the baby into his
own keeping. Then She too, got out.
last of all, and stood disconsolately on
the platform, ready TO burst into tears
olive" said well-known voice.
He was close to her and yet she had
not seen his approach. Trembling.
'timid, happy beyond expression, she
laid her hand on his arm in mute wei
come, and lifted her sweet face to his.
But he gave her no answering glance;
with hesitation that lasted perhaps
| half second, he touched her forehead
! lightly with his lips; and Olive felt that
she had made her first mistake in show
ing, too openly. her delight at seei,g
him.
II was little late" he said. rather
stiiily. And now I must look after
your box. Stand here. Olive. ana will
come back 20 you in minute"
lie went, and She stood motionless as
statue, chilled 90 the very soul.
hopeless feeling Of infcriority possessed
her; feeling that vas new and strange
and aTonizing. lie was so we'll dressed
and fine, and She was such a poor i'm
pulsivc little rustic, that it seemed inn
possible Tor her ever 20 be lifted to the
height that he had gained.
woman who is crushed doe not
generally look her best, and Olives de-
preston told upon her beauty When
Michael had claimed the box nc came
back 70 his sweetheart, and IL strucl,
him that the forlorn girl. standingdroop-
ing on the platform, was not as pretty
a the Olive Doe had left az Eastmcon n
year ago Her face looked worn and
tagged: her eyes large and weary: and
there was q trcmulousness about her
lips which would haze touched tender
heart But man who IS stcndilv de.
voted 20 scli-intcrcst is seldom tcndcr
Michael bad % great deal % think Of. nc
was rising rapidly in The world. and hc
did not want his bctrothcd o. be a clog
90 him. And there was something in
her shabbincss and forlornncss that ir-
ritatcd hiu instead OF awakening
spirit Of sympathy and protection. II
you hav" o. climb, you cannot spend
time and strength I'm sympathising anG
protecting. Tie hoped that Olive was
not going % be helpless. and Doc was
ashamed Of the countrihcd bonnet and
scanty gown
Come and got into cab" hc said
briskly. "Ihe Wakes will rive Won
somcthiuT 20 cnt; dare shy vou are
hungry nrd tired. and yet 81 wasn't %
long Journey. You arc not growin,.
delicate. ] hope. Ohvc?
Fancy % rising man hampcrcd with a
sic.sly wife. Tho very idea was intol-
cradle. But Olives ans~er treasured
him. she had taken her FIRST lesson in
the art Of sclf-control. and she now
spoke calmly.
enc. Michael. ] have rot had q davis
illness since You saw me last"
That's right" he said. in tone 81
relief, as be helped hev o. seat herself
IN the cab and took his place by her
side.
a hundred times she had pictured this