The Red Cloud chief., 1892-05-20

Olive saw her greeted by a sturdy
artisan who took the baby into his
own keeping. Th6n she, too, got out,
last of all, and stood d~isconsolatcly on
the platform, ready to burst into tears.
"Olivo," said n well-known voice.
Hs was close to her and yet she had
not seen his approach. Trembling,
timid, happy beyond expression, she
laid her hand on his arm in mute well
como, and lifted her sweet face 10 his.
But he gave her no answering glance,
with q hesitation that lasted perhaps
half q second, he touched her forehead
lightly with his lips; and Olive felt that
she had made her first mistake In show
ing, too openly, her delight ut seeing
him.
~ was a little late," he said, rather
stihiy. "And now I must look after
your box. Stand here, Olive, ana I will
come back TO you In u minute"
IIc went, and she stood motionlcss ms
a statue, chilled to the worry soul. A
hopeless feeling Of inferiority possessed
and ngonizing. lie was so we'll dressed
and fine, and she was such n poor i'm
p~ulsivc little rustic, that IL seemed i'm
possible for her ever to be lifted 70 the
height that he had gained.
A woman who Is crushed doe3 not
generally look her best, and Olives do
preston told upon her beauty. When
Michael had claimed the box he came
back to his sweetheart, and Il struck
him that the forlorn girl, standing droop-
ing on the platform, was not MS pretty
as the Olive he had left at Eastmeon n
year ago. Her face looked worn and
tagged; her eyes large and weary; and
there was n t~remulousness about her
lips which would have touched u tender
heart. But n man who Is steadily de-
voted to s%elf-intcrcst IL seldom tender.
Michael had q great deal TO think of, he
was rising rapidly in the world, and he
did not want his bctrothed to be q clog
to him. And there was something in
her shabbiness and forlornness that ir-
ritated him instead Of awakening q
spirit Of sympathy and protection. II
you have to climb, you cannot spend
time and strength in sy~mpathising and
protecting. He hoped that Olive was
not going TO be helpless, and he was
ashamed Of the countrifed bonnet and
scanty gown.
"Comc and get into . cab" he said,
briskly. ''The Wakes will give you
something to cot; I dare say you are
hungry and tired; and yet Il wasn't q
long Journey. You are not growing
delicate, I hope, Oliver"
Fancy n rising man hampercd with Q
sickly wife! Tho very idea was intol-
cradle. But Olives answer treasured
him; she had taken her first lesson in
the art Of self.control, and she now
spoke calmly:
mo, Michael. Ihave not hnd o days
illness since you saw me last"
That's right" he said, In a tone OF
relief, as he helped her to scot herself
in the cab and took his place by her
side.
A hundred times she had pictured this
first drive with him through the un.
known streets Of London. Always It
had been strange and bewildering, yet
bright with the sunshine Of q wonder
full happiness. But now the time had
really come, with oil the strangcness
and NIL the bewilderment; but tho hap
~piness-why was that wanting? Wa
this carcfully-drcssed young man In
deed Michael? And this tired girl sit
ting silently by his side, could she be
the sunny confident Olive Of old times?
Surely no.
Poor Olive had, until now, seen her
self under only one aspect. She had
not realized that IL Is tho lot Of most
people to behold q good many different
selves before they have done with this
life Of changes, and she was startled. MS
the young always are, Mt the unfamil-
lar being she saw. II she could have
shaken of this stupid detected mood
all might have been we'll, she thought.
And presently II occurred to Michael
70 become affectionate, and he took her
hand. cased in Q worn thread glove. into
his own.
1--WE ought to be very glad that we
are together again." he said. "London
confuscs you at first, but you will soon
get used to this noise and hustle and