The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-06-01

/
~ came TO he Dover House. ne Two
girls often visited the poor people IN the
village; and Elaine, who was IN her bed
room, hastily put on her hat before de-
scsndihe, thinking they were to go
together then. E
But this was not the case, e was
hastily explained There whs typhoid
fever in the village, and Miss Feather
stone had come TO warn Elaine against
going thithsr until the doctor pronounced
1t once more safe.
Mr.. Bowyer was evidently terribly
nervous at the news, and with rather
suspicious eagerness asked Miss Feath-
erstone II she had been In the village
lately.
AZ have not been for several days;
and there was no danger until yesterday.
a poor womas with . baby. on her way
% Greathayen, was taken III and tainted
On the road. She seemed 80 i'll that
some people took her in and sent for q
doctor, who saw at once what was the
matter. She died this morning; and now
he child has it,
Glow sad--how unfortunate II Isl"
aaid Elaine presently This will put
sfsp to our visiting for some time, and
the poor people will miss us, ] suppose
!" ! shall go as usual" said Mary.
"You will go ~
"Of course. am my fathers curate,
you know. That was really why came
to-day for we may not meet again for
some time--it would not be safe for us
to meet" \
Elaine's blank look Of disappointment
betrayed something Of what she felt; and
Mary understood, knowing how she her
self would rebel were she commanded to
stand aside Alnhelpful while others were
suffering.
"EYou see, dear, it Is so different with
YOU" she urged, gently. Mr.. Bowyer
Is naturally afraid Of so terrible dis
case. Your first duty is to him. Then
there would be the risk to the servants, !"
] shall miss you dreadfully !"
And you. What friends we have
become, and in so short timei Why
would you never let me know you be-
fore? 2"
i had reason-a very strong rea-
son, you may be sure. dare say ann
wrong now; but ! promised"
She broke offNshyly, but Mary COM
pleted the sentence COR her with smile
at the others so palpable confusion.
!" You promised Colonel Severn. /
know he was very anxious We should be
friends, because you were too much
alone. When is the colonel coming
back, Elalns2"
do not know" was the answer,
given almost In whisper.
Somehow / fancy 1t will be soon.
Before he went he was talking to me OF
his wish to secure every one q happy
Christmas. Last winter he was almost
. stranger here, and had been so long in
India that he had forgotten English
customs; but this year was to be very
different
"And now this sickness has come I"
1T will be stamped out, I hope.
Every effort is being made to prevent the
infection from spreading"
''And Mary" said Elaine, suddenly
giving the conversation o new turn,
does Charlie Severn approve Of your
going amongst these people now9''
What is 1t to him 2"-tossing her
head, but blushing in spite Of her sim
ulated disdain.
You know how much. He is very
fond Of you, Mary"
Thfa amman No hoe -
Last summer it was you he found SO
attractive"
"A boys fancy-nothing else indeed"
:. Then how can hope to be anything
morea Hyou were forgotten, how could
/ hope to be rememberedfn
" 1t Is so different indeedl You he
loves sincerely, with q mans deep un-
changing passion. Won't you believe in
him p
Mary looked up, q light--half- dawning
love, half merry mockery-in her eyes.
Are you 30 anxious to be my mother
in-law p she said, audaciously, then al
most in the same breath repented, as
gradually over Elaine's pale pained face
g crimson flush spread and deepened In
intensity when the full meaning Of the
words came home to her.
Forgive mel ! ought not to have
said it. You are not very angry-are
your
Elaine shook her head and tried to
smile, but without success. 1t was a
subject about which she never dared to
think, much less speak, and she could
not bring herself to deny the charge
laughingly, as another girl might have
done.
8 should Like you to be happy hap
pier than can ever be, !" she said at last;
and 50 much was implied In her tones,
moro TO be felt than comprehended, that
Mary was sobered at once.
You won't see Mr. Severn for some
time, am afraid, II you are going TO put
yourself in quarantine, unless he de-
clines TO regard anything Of the sort.
she observed, thoushtfnlly.
Instantly all Mary's real liking for the
young fellow who aspired 70 be her lover
was apparent; the tears came into her