The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-07-02

and let re apologize again. | can see
frightened you, though the crack didn't.
Perhaps I hurt you; but we never have any
ice in Ireland, so | don't understand it, and
| really thought there was danger, and, as
you were alone Pray do not be angry
with me"
He changed his sentence, because he saw
that for some reason his words troubled her,
and supposed that she resented his address
ing her second time, though, indeed, the
veriest prude living could not have taken
offence at his frank, impersonal manner.
Lisa felt sudden rush of emotion TO think
only a stranger should care to deprecate her
anger.
"Indeed, I am not angry. | am very
much obliged to you.
"Then hurt you. You are looking as
white as ghost.
'No, not at all; indeed no, only | am
tired, and not very well, SO l am going
home Thank you, as he gave her her
skates neatly strapped together, and she
made an effort to look strong and indepen-
dent as she walked up the low, steep bank.
'One moment" he said.
She turned
"Tm waiting for my wife, he said, "but
she won't scold me for making her wait
when | tell her what | have been doing.
You must let me see you home, or at least
to the station"
"Oh, thank you, no; it is not in the least
necessary"
''Not in the least, said another voice.
at seems I am come just in time to be of
use, Lisa"
"Oh, Dennis, l am so glad to see you
back again.
"That's all right, then" said the strang-
er cheerfully. 81 can leave you with an
easy conscience"
"Thank you, very much, p" said Lisa.
The stranger waited just a second, be-
cause, if the new conner were the lady,
brother or husband, it was only natural he
would want to make some acknowledge
ment of his attention to her; and such wa:
the frank cheerfulness of his manner thai
Dennis found himself instinctively mur,
muring some indistinct courtesy. Then ht
and Lisa walked towards the gate in 81
| lence.
Presently Lisa said
"Don't you think he must be rather ;
nice husband p
"Who?"
"Why, he; the gentleman who took of
my skates l was tired, and wanted to g
home, and couldn't manage the straps
''Didn't Donald know you wanted to g
home ?"
eyes, of course I didn't go withou
telling him; but he was at the other side o
the pond. | dare say he did not know
was going just at that moment. p
Poor Lisa between her sense of dis
comfort at what she took for rebuke il
Dennis tone, and her dislike of explainins
her husbands neglect, she spoke very
lamely.
But she was mistaken. The disapprova
was not for her, for Dennis had reached
the bridge moment before the ice crack
ed, and had seen and understood the whole
incident
81 don't think it was exactly proper,
she said, "but he only meant to be kind
because he saw, l mean thought, | wa
alone"
"You were alone, Dennis said abrupt
ly. "When l am not with you, you art
always alone. When will the others come
back p
"Oh, not until late; they are going to {
little party after the skating. l had for
gotten that.
And she remembered that no one haC
recalled it to her mind, or asked if she
would not join them when she was rested
They walked on in silence to the Mary
lebone Road; as they crossed it sickly
hideous column of smoke rushed up
through one of the ventilators to the I'm
derground Railway.
"Oh, DEAR" she said, taking deeI
breath of the clear, frosty air, "we have tC
go down among that to get home.
ave are not going home, said Denni
quietly; "we are going somewhere
where, it does not matter; picture gallery
will do
81 think | should like it, said LISA
hesitating, 81 am not wanted at home
the children will not be back until tn,
evening; and Donald will be quite late; anC
a picture gallery will be such pleasan
change
''That's it, said Dennis shortly. at i
time you had a change.
They walked on through the street
until they reached the gallery; but whel
they entered it, Dennis led her past all tht
pictures to a quiet seat, and signed her t.
sit down, She looked up surprised.
ave came here to talk, he said shortly
elisa, was on the bridge just now, and
saw all that happened. y
She saw something in his face which sh,
did not understand.
''Then-it is no use pretending any
more y she said.
"No; it is no use pretending any more
Lisa; all this year you have been pretend
ing not to be wretched, and | have beel
pretending to believe you. But | hav
known all the time how things were.
"Yes,' she said. 81 pretended TO b
satisfied when thought you believed me
but that is no use now. 1t is often lik
that-nearly always when You are MOI
here
| When he was not there And he ha,