The Red Cloud chief., 1892-05-27
CuApTER v.-CoyrrsrEp.

Tlttcu slowly up u dark staircase 10
lead her to n bedroom. The willing lad
had already carried up her box, and
when the door was shut she went to
the glass and surveyed herself discon-
tentcdly by gas-light. Out Of doors in
the country the sweet May daylight
was lingering still, but night falls carly
on n London household.
ale must have thought me looking
.dowdy and plain" she unused. taking
of her bonnet and 1inging II on the
bed. Lucy was right when she told
me to get my new clothes made in
town. lie sees so many beautifully
dressed girls that he feels ashamed Of
me-"
1t comforted Olive to lay the blame
of Michacl's GOODNESS on her village
bonnet. She was not without n little
natural vanity, and had always been
accustomed TO hear that she was u pref
ty girl. Michael had said SO, many and
many n time in the earlier days of their
love-making. Out-spokcn compliments
were in fashion ut Eastmeon, and even
the pumpkins" as Michael contemptu-
ously termed them, were not inscnsible
TO the charm of a pair Of soft brown
eyes. These same eyes were now gaz-
ing ut the reflection Of their owner
through tears, but Olive resolutcly
conquered the desire to weep.
Not only because she wanted to look
her prettiest did she keep the tears
back. For the sake of the good uncle,
n stranger. and yet well known, she
would carry n smiling face downstairs.
She had looked only for n little kind
cess, but he had received her into O
warm atmosphere Of love and takea
her ut one 70 his heart. Already she
could not help comparing his tenderness
with Michael's hardness, and rcmem.
boring that Michael had written Of him
with u kind of scornful pity. Perhaps,
II was because Of that very tenderness
that Uncle Wake was an unsuccessful
man. II 80, Olive began vaguely to
feel that II was best to be n failure.
The little parlor looked bright enough
when she reentercd IL, and Michael was
struck with her improved appearance.
The girl had q will Of her own, and she
had put all traces Of her, disappoint-
ment out Of sight. She sthl wore the
scanty gown, but her pretty shape re-
vealed itself in spite Of rustic dress
making; and the soft rough hair, no
longer hidden under the Objectionable
bonnet, cur1ed carelcssly over her
white forehead. The old cnchantncnt
began to steal over Michael's spirit
anew; he watched Olive us she talked
to the Wakes; her face, lovely in re-
pose. gained new charms when she
smiled and spoke. With care and train.
hg-his training, she might yet be nd
mired in the circles that he was strug-
Cling to enter. Anyhow she was his
wv chosen sweetheart, and the best
part Of his nature would cling to her to
the end.
Mrs. Wake had taken possession of
tho flowers and fingered over them with
q faint show Of pleasure. She had put
some hyacinths on the supper table
and again their perfume saddencd
Olive and carried her thoughts back to
old days. Michael was here, sitting by
her side. but she found herself longing
for n younger and simpler Michael. who
had stood beside her fathers grave with
his eyes full Of tears.
But before the evening meal came to
an end the lovers were on better terms
with each other. And when Michael
rose TO tai his leave Uncle Wake dis
appeared into the dark shop and his
wife vanished like q phantom, leaving
the young pair alone together.
"Olive," said the young man, taking
her into his arms and looking into her
face with all tho old fondncss. "Olive,
can scarcely believe that this Is not
q dream. shall see you every Sunday,
dear; you don't know how | have al
ways missed you on Sundays. Give me
a kiss and convince me that you arc a
real creature. I'm half afraid OF walk.
ing up tomorrow and finding that you
are still miles away from me-" s
For the second time she lifted her
face to his, less frankly and gladly than
before. She loved him as truly and
deeply as ever, but the girlish conf
dence In herself would never return.
For the future she would DC on her
guard against mistakes; she had
learned to control those natural inn
pulses Of affection which had hitherto
been unchecked. And the lesson had
been mastered very quickly, for there
Is no learner more rapid than q loving
woman.
~ am real enough, Michael" she said,
quietly. There is no fear Of my going
back to Eastmeon, even II ! could travel
on the wings of the wind like the prin-
cess In q fairy tale. You know ! am
not wanted there"
u nm glad you have loft them. did
DOT like my future wife to live under