Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1892-03-23

20 study certain effects of light and
shade, and then almost forgot the pur-
pose that had brought him there.
Yes; il was the same face that he had
seen bending over the flowers in the
Regent street shop, and it had seemed
to him that one of his vague dreams
of beauty had suddenly taken shape
and become n reality. But this was the
first time he had ever seon her out of
the shop and its surroundings, and all
her charms seemed doubled and trebled
to-day. Her lips, scarlet as japonica
blossoms, were parted in an uncon-
scious smile. Hitherto he had only be-
held her grave; now she was quietly,
yet girlishly gay. Until this moment
he had not realized how young she was,
nor how new the world appeared to
her. That fresh delight, that I'M
troubled belief which only comes once
in lifetime, these glorious follies of
youth, were hers still.
The young man by her side, short,
slightly made and blue-eyed, inspired
Seaward with sudden and unuttera BILE
detestatiou. The young mans eyes had
cunning and complacent twinkle in
them, and they were set too near to-
mice looking" and had n fresh com
plexion and fair, curly hair; and his
clothes were really very well made and
carefully-too carefully put on. 1t was
clear that he did not belong to AIRY
and his friends, and his face gave evil
dence of sober and decorous living. But
instead of respecting him for his vir-
tues, Seaward Aylstone only disliked
him the more for them. 1t was wrong,
it was unreasonable, but it was human.
There is a certain form of moral excel
lence which never fails to be exasper-
ating.
The pair were quite unconscious of
his scrutiny; the young man was too
much self-absorbed to notice him, and
the girl was too happy to be observant
He went his way, feeling unaccounta-
bly, soured, and left them still sitting in
their shady nook under the trees.
But if Seaward Aylstone had fingered
little longer in their ncighborhood he
would have seen n change in the lovely
face that had been so bright with limo
cent joy. Olives cup was so full that it
brimmed over at last. Instead of pre-
serving that spell of blissful silence I'M
broken, she was unwise enough to
speak.
michael, is not this a perfect day?
Is it possible for us ever to be happier
than we are at this moment?"
The curl of his lip answered her even
before his words came. Her question
had broken in upon the great plans
that he was making for the future; and,
in truth, success was so near that he
had right TO think of using it, 1t was
no vague vision that he had been con-
juring up, the goal was all but gained
and already he was building in fancy,
the palace in which he should take his
rest. Rest! The word had no real
meaning for him, the longings in his
heart could never be stilled. never be
satisfied by the attainment of his first
desire. Poor olives little speech
stirred up an angry scorn within him.
He had been striving with all his
might for grand things, and any of the
commonest pleasures in life were good
enough for her.
Il am not quite such fool" he said.
las to mistake a lazy hour in the sun
shine for perfect happiness. Ifthis was
| the best moment that life could give
me | should not care to go on living.
Olive, you have no aspirations. You do
not want to rise, you do not sympa-
thize with me in my effort to succeed.
| 1t is Disappointing, very disappointing
to find that you are just rs common
! place and unambitious as you used to
be at Eastmeon."
! For an instant she did not reply.
| There were the same velvet glades. the
same rich foliage, the same blaze of
/ tiame-colored blossoms before her
/ eyes, but the glory of the gardens was
! gone. The gates of her Eden had closed
without single note of warning, the
bright spirit, who had been singing his
sweet song in her ears, had scared far
| out of reach. Her golden hour was
/ over.
II am sorry that / have disappointed
/ you" she said at last. Her voice was as
musical as ever, but there was touch
of proud patience in her manner that
irritated him more than pettishness
would have done. Clever as he was,
high as he had risen, he had failed of
late to make her acknowledge his SUI
periority. And he knew that he had not
spoken truly in saying that she was the
same girl of the old Eastmeon DAYS.
| she was, in some respects, different
Olive, far more cultivated, far more
beautiful, and with a slow growing con
! seriousness Of her own worth
You don't appreciate me-" he went
on, venting on her the pent-up anger OF
weeks. ANY idle fellow who had not
two ideas in his head would have suited
you as well as do. You ask for moth
ing better than common enjoyment,
cheap holiday pleasures, such as any
workingInan can give bis sweetheart
And ] have been toiling and raclsinp
my brains 10 win money and a high
social position for us both.'
Michael, she said gently. yet brave
~, you are saying things that are moi
true. No one could ever have suited
me as well as ths man I have always
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