Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-01-06


 gagged couple long enough. For my own part I have found the dawdling quite pleasant. We have mooned about, and looked at houses and furniture, and talked vaguely of a fnr-off future when we might possibly want such things. There is nothing like seeing ones prom iscd land in the distance; it is the near view that destroys the cnchantmcnt."
 But l don't quite understand you, Adeline," he was beginning, when she stopped him with pretty, impatient gesture
 Stupid old boy! How can you ex- poet to understand a woman who doesn't understand herself? And it is not of myself that am thinking, it is of Gland"
 Seaward looked at her thoughtfully. She had bright gray eyes shaded with black lashes, and delicate, but rather irregular features. To-day her face had the brilliancy that often comes of anX- icty; the clear pallor of the checks was tinted with vivid rose. She was prct- tier, perhaps, than usual, but curiously unlike the cool charming woman of the world he had always known.
 "I am not romantic" she said, speak
 
 too much from man. But I can't help thinking that r,uud has nothing to give. At first I admired that gentle langour of his, and fancied that it was n mask, worn gracefully to hide deep feeling. believe TOW that it only hides an empty heart"
 Scaward still regarded her attentive ly, and was silent.
 hI with Claud," she continued, but if he had tried he could have made me love him. He is the kind of man who at tracts women, with his pale aristocratic face and gentle ways. But he never has tried. Time goes on, and we do not draw an inch nearer to each other. If granny tells him that he has got to marry me before Christmas, he will placidly consent. But, Seaward, I don't like the prospect of lifetime spent with an utterly indifferent nus band. am not vain, yet cannot help feeling tE2t 1 am worthy of a stronger feeling"
 ''EOu are worthy of tho strongest feeling that man can give, Adeline," he said with true hcartiness. As to Claud. there is great deal about him that one naturally likes and admires l have been hoping that you would kin dlc a fire within him. Is he really as cold as you imagine""
 Don't be deceitf,ll, old boy. You and arc always pc>lHctly frank with each other. When you have talked with Claud, have yol: ever discovered any sign of warmth toward me? You know you have not"
 "But, Adcline, was always hoping that the warmth would come. And he really does admire you very much"
 "Ah, Scaward!" the bright gray eyes grew soft and sad, Fl am foolish enough to dream of something sweeter and deeper than admiration. I don't believe much i'll raptures; all ask is the sweet, old-world gift of sponta- neous affection. If Claud had chosen me just as Jack chooses Jill, I might have been q contcnted woman. But he did not choose me; he simply accepted mo from granny's hands,"
 "GraEny is too fond of playing provi dcncc," said Seaward, in an uneasy tone.
 Tt is possible that Claud has seen his Jill elsewhere an unattainable Jill" There was a note of interrogation at the end of this sentence; but Aylstone was silent She rose and went to look at the bowl of flowers which her hands had arranged the day before Then, with one of her quick movements, she came to his side, touching him gently on the shoulder: You do not advise mo, old bOy." Her clear voice trembled q little. "Onc man knows another's se- crets and never tells them. I don't ask
 
 help me to come to decision"
 Il will help you, Adeline, as far as can," he said, flushing, and looking at her with gaze full of affection. 'I will say: don't marry Claud until you arc quite satisfied with him. I do not see why granny is to have her own way always. As for you, my dear, I like you all the better for saying the things that you have said to-day"
 Dear Seaward, what delightful things have I said?"
 Something about Jack and Jill. You think that Jack would be a benighted fellow if he saw his Jill and did not do his best to get her for himself?"
 ''I think he would be cur if he did not"
 "Even supposing her to be Jill of low degree, Adeline?"
 "Even supposing that" she answered, firmly.
 "Adeline," he said with fervor, you arc one of the best and most sensible women in tho world" CHAPTER XIII
 WHO TRANQUILITY IN LEES GREAT TASK. FIELD WROUGHT"
 Olive was waiting, almost inpatient ly, for next Sunday. The little gray chapel, standing in its quiet garden, was a spiritual resting place, and tho words that she had heard there were living in her mind
 With reserve that is often born of deep feeling, she kept the secret of her newly found comfort Not even to Sam