The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1892-03-05

baad, of whom She had though
hour after hour, what had be
come of him? 1t was no
the old Michael who had just left her
but some one with a different name:
and a cold heart. Success had come
that success which had been SO longet
for, and was this all that it had brought
The window was left open, but the no
London air that came in did not coo
her burning temples. Oh, to be a
Eastmoen now, and feel the breeu
blowing fresh from the old hills
Uncle Wake did not like the aspec
of affairs, and saw that Olive was look
ing pale and sad. He sent her to church
with his wife, and meditated over thu
state of things without deciding OF
what was best to be done. 1t seemed
to him that Michael was disposed tx
draw back; but if it were SO, Samue
was not man to drag him forward
Better that this rare flower SHOULD
wither on it's stalk, than that an unwil
ling hand should be forced to gather it
A fortnight crept slowly by, ant
Michael neither wrote nor came. Olive
began to fear that he was ill, and woule
have written a line of inquiry if they
had parted less coldly. The suspense
was almost intolerable; but she did no
want to look like victim, and she Wen
and came as usual, dressed as prettily
as ever, and wore her mask of cheerful
ness with unhinching bravery. Hel
sweetness and courage went straight tt
the hearts of the Wakes. Mrs. Wake
was SO stirred that she was lifted quite
out of her melancholy little self, anc
astonished her husband by displaying
unwonted tact and wisdom.
Sunday afternoon came round again
and the three were sitting in their par
Tor upstairs, with doors and windows
wide open, trying to pretend that they
were not expecting anyone. Olive had
got large volume propped up ON the
table before her. and turned it's pages
although she could not read line. Sud
denly the house bell rang loudly, as ii
it had been pulled by an impatient
hand; and the sound drove all the color
out of Olives face Mrs. Wake was oil
>e sofa with q bound.
II will go and see who it is, she said,
and was gone in an instant.
Samuel and Olive sat in silence; they
could hear each other breathe. Heavy
steps were coming quickly upstairs,
and drowning Mrs. Wakes light tread.
A mans figure appeared in the door
way, and the girl started up, trem bling,
and went towards him; but it was not
Michael Chase. 1t was Aaron who stood
before her, looking so pale and wild that
she gave a cry Of fear.
'You have brought bad news!'' she
painted out. SIS Michael ill or dead?
What has happened to him?
'sHe is neither i'll nor dead" Aaron
answered.
And then she sank back into her seat
with long, sobbing sigh, and covered
her face with her hands.
Samuel Wake went up to his niece,
and drew her head gently down upon
his broad shoulder.
"Speak out, Fenlake,'' he said, hold,
ing the trembling girl closely. "Olive
will be we'll cared for, no matter what
maycome. Don't be afraid, man: she
has brave heart, and it will be best te
know the worst at once.''
1.-The worst is that Michael has proved
himself to be a scoundrel; a black scoun'
,lrel,'' said Aaron, fercely. II brought
the tidings myself, because l knew that
Olive would sooner hear them from nae
than from a stranger. Michael Chase
has offered himself to Miss Battersby,
and she has accepted him"
Olives head did not stir from it's rest
ing place, nor did she speak one word
1t WAS Samuel who asked sternly il
Aaron could prove that he had spoken
truth?
ssIf there had been the least doubt
Aaron answered, II should not be here
now. 1t was Mr.. Edward Battersby
himself who told me of the engagement
Michael has got me turned away from
the works, and yesterday l was loafng
about, trying to find something to do,
when Mr.. Edward met me. He stopped
and said few civil words, and prom
ised to do what he could for me. And
then he said that there would be a wed
ding soon, and that must come to the
dinner that he should provide for the
worlmen. l asked if it was his we'd
ding that was coming off. And he said:
No, Fenlake, it will be my sisters
wedding. and she will marry Michael
Chase. You know what a clever fellow
he has proved himself to be, and we all
think a great deal of him.
There was dead silence for moment.
Then Olive lifted her colorless face and
looked mournfully at Fenlake.
81 know it is all true she said, in
clear, sad voice; che spoke OF Miss Bat
tersby. Sometimes have felt that this
was coming. You were right about
him, Aaron; he has used us both badly
badly. But we will let him go his
way"
She looked from Aaron to Uncle Wake
and tried to smile, then put her hand up
to her forehead and went quickly away.
There was not much more said by the
three who remained in the room. Only
Samuel asked Fenlake whether he could
tell them anything about Miss Batters-
by.
Nothing" Aaron replied, Except
%h,t che must he 2 GOOD deal older than