The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-01-22

old stone house covered with ivy and q
great porch in front Of it, reaching al
most to its roof. What was so odd
about it, was that there was fight OF
steps, which led to the porch, whose
floor was on level with that of the
second story of the house."
Strange, indeed; but they built
many such houses in England in Queen
Elizabeth's days"
In England? All, Harry, then you
do attach Importance TO my vision?"
''Of course l do. Now try if you
cannot think of something more to tell
me-"
"No, 1 have told you all, Harry"
Wanda said, with dreamy wonder in
her eyes.
How swiftly the hours passed! 1t
seemed impossible to her, as she stood
that night in the moonlight with both
her hands in Harry's wishing him good
by. She had him for just that minute
all to herself, for Mrs. Evesham had
bade her boy adieu in her own chamber
and had retired to her place beside
George Arunders couch and of course
|
old Bladon might be providing about,
but there were no signs of his immedi-
ate presence.
Good-by! Words at all times so bad
and bitter; but tonight how much they
mean to her-the death-knell of her
days happiness.
He stoops and looks down on the face
so beautiful with the moonlight playing
on it.
Sorely he is tempted to speak but
stern duty interposes. What right has
he to ask so radiant being to bind her
life to his? But who could resist the
tender pleading of the blue eyes which
look into his one moment and then are
downcast.
"Wanda!"
How strange his voice sounds to her;
yet in his passion-laden tone there is
still the sweet euphony he always gives
her name.
''Good-by, Harry" With quivering
lips she speaks and can scarce repress
the sobs which almost choke her.
With a low cry he draws her to him
and holds her in his embrace.
wanda, l love you!"
All trembling she hears the word and
buries her face on his shoulder.
speak, Wanda! Only once-say you
love me-"
Slowly, reluctantly, she raises her
face: it is pale no longer but crimson
with maiden bashfulness.
''Yes. love You, Harry" she muir
murs almost inaudibly, with faint,
long-drawn sigh.
Il never believed such happiness
could be mine,' he vows with ecstacy.
Then, do so now, dear" she whis-
pers, as with closed eyes she kisses his
face.
An hour! is it an hour, or a minute,
or year?-this dream too sweet for
words to picture.
Then the mother must be told. The
gentle, loving mother, who has borne
so much for them both. Pshaw, Wanda,
you need not tremble so, You need not
shrink with great fear of the supposed
wrong you have done. That generous
heart has long been beating with the
hope that the day might come when
she could truly call you daughter.
SO Harry EveshGm starts on his way
exultant, while poor blind George Arun-
del lies on his bed of pain with no
bright hopes before him; verify, ito
him that hath shall be given, and from
him that hath not shall be taken away
even that he hath"
Then Wanda shyly and with great ef-
e., Ill 81 i.
Bladon, who oddly enough is now in
clined to be cross with her because she
has not preferred his boy as the idol of
her affections. So it happened that one
day, when George Arundel had gained
so much strength that he w&s permitted
to sit up awhile, the old servitor re-
solved to tell the story of Wanda's love
to him. 1t cut him to the heart to
wound the young mans feelings, bat he
knew the task must not be shirl1ed.
Now, Master George" he began, III
an agony of apprehension, ''you mustn't
take on, but I've bit o news for thee,
lad, as wunnot perchance be welcome"
You mean Miss Arlington's engage
ment to young Evesham?" came the
question, SO calmly and deliberately ut
tered that Bladon gazed in stupefed
wonder.
why, yes" he said, that's what
meant; but how came thee to hear of
it?'
Her mother told me yesterday. Oh,
dear old friend, don't look so woebc-
gone. One would think that you were
the deserted lover to see your long face.
1t is a thing for US all to rejoice at, that
the sweet girl has won the love of such
a sterling fellow as Harry Evesham."
But l thought you loved the lass
thysen?"
Loved her; of course did, and shall
love her as long as have sense to ap-
preciate the sweetness of her character"
AN yet you give her up so quietly.
Why, when was a lad"
"YOu were terrible fellow among
the lasses, don't doubt, Bladon: but
am afraid you cannot quite understand
my feelings for Miss Arlington hard
ly' can myself. You see / was not so
far wrong when / told you she was to
be nothing more than sister to me-"
AN you're not fretting over the loss
of the lass?'
NO" said Arundel calmly, "for l
have not lost her yet. do not think
Harry Evesham viii refuse to let her
still be my loving friend and sister,
Like as not" Bladon confessed, but
the reflection did not give him unal-
Logged pleasure. 1t was bad enough for
the young master TO be smitten with the
charms of a pretty girl, but to carry his
devotion to her fireside, when she was
a married woman, was a proposal be-
yond the old mans philosophy.
Weeks passed by. and Georye ARM