The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-05-21
under 9HECLOUD.

CIG

sc4tcely spoken 70 woman, anu Atsef-
ward, when my wife died, was content
with my child's companionship. When
he left me, the thought Of him still filed
my life; never cared to form . friend
ship even though liked many Of themen
In my regiment and met with great kind
ness and good-fellowship from them. Do
you know, Miss Warde, that when !
returned from India, gny-haired veteran,
Is am termed it may seem to you, !
had never been In love3p
Was Il the 1ickering light, az q sudden
wind sprung up and swept in throughthe
open window, that made the girl seem 50
pale7 Quickly she recovered herself
and laughed lightly as she replied
20 You expect pity for that2 Why,
think you are To be envied, having had
NO doubts and fears, no disappointments,
no sentimental troubles Of any SORT"
Is that your real opiniona" he
asked her, gravely. Do you really think
love is Of so little worth that the pains
and penalties which accompany IL some
times are too heavy price to pay Z"
She was as grave as he now; wistful
look was In her eyes, as thougha happi-
ness we're within her reach which yet she
must not stretch out her hand TO grasp.
. 1t does not matter what think she
said; my future is decided, and love
has no part In IT.
She shivered slightly as shespoke, and
he rose and closed the window.
II Is getting chilly in the evening
now. The summer Is nearly over
Silently she assented, and once more
all her attention was given to her work,
while he sat and watched her.
Z Let me help you II canin he ex-
claimed impulsively.
Ellen looked up In sore surprise, not
comprehending at first. Then under
standing that he spoke with reference to
his own thoughts, not in answer to any
thing she had said smiled gratefully.
!. II there Is anything ever want,
will ask you'll PROMISE" she said.
Their hands met in firm clasp for
an instant Then Colonel Severn
changed the subject.
heard from Charlie to-day. ! fancy
he Ii enjoying himself in spite Of his
resolve to be miserable. His friends
seem to belong to rather reckless set.
only hope that they won't lead Kim
into any mischief"
" Why, what do you fear for him ?"
" Nothing definite. should not like
him to get intimate with the acquaint-
ances that he has made lately. There
u an actress ~ ---.--. se--...~~-
Do you object to his associating
with her ~ asked Ellen, laying down her
work, and looking steadily into his face.
Don't think 1t will do him any good.
You think me uncharitable, see. Now
IN actress leads life Of spurious ex-
citement that must necessarily
Stop r. cried Ellen, raising her hand
with an imperious gesture. - have
been an actress myself. Don't say any
thing you might regret"
2 She had risen to her feet; and he too
rose, feeling utterly bewadered, and
scarcely trusting HIS own ears. That
this stern child, with her innocent big !
eyes and shy yet winning ways, should
ever have trod the stage and faced q
naked audience seemed impossible alb
surd. The mere thought Of it enraged
him. It could not be. She was testing
him trying how much he could credit
against her.
You don't believe me, but 1t was 80
really. It Is as honorable profession
- any other; and / could have been
very happy in 1t fiji"
Her voice broke, and she turned away
her head to hide the hot stinging tears
that had sprung into her eyes as bitter
recollections came surging through her
brain. Colonel Severn thought she was
hurt ct what he had said.
am . brute, and have offended you
beyond recall he declared at last, so
humbly that, II she had felt any wrath,
It must have melted away; "but / was
speaking carelessly, and on subject OF
which know nothing. Remember
have been all my life In India, and am
naturally old-fashioned and narrow in
my views. They are subverted from this
moment. The mere fact Of your having
adopted 1t makes the profession one
worthy Of any woman to follow"
!" Is not that rather a sudden CONVEX
sion n smiled Ellen, archly, touched, in
spite Of herself, by his earnestness.
" 1t is not the less sincere. think
you must have seen, Miss Warde, how
high you stand In my opinion how
admire and revere you. In my eyes you
could do nothing wrong. There is no
one whose friendship would be SO dear
to me since must ask no more"
A feeling OF embarrassment caused her
TO keep her eyelids down, and the color
came and went in waves upon her cheeks.
He too was deeply moved, and felt it a
relief when Mrs. Priolo entered to say
that Mr.. Bowyer would like to see the
colonel before he left. Directly she was
alone Ellen sunk upon sofa and buried
her face in her hands.
Though she loved elsewhere, and to
her cost, yet she could have found the
friendship Of this other very sweet. only
that it would be better to refuse it now
than, having once enjoyed it, to feel it
Withdrawn from her forever.
Droaanflv aha heard CoIo,,a1 9,