The Hazel Green herald., 1892-05-13
CHArTER v.-CoNrrNrrp.

fitted slowly up dark staircase to
lead her TO n bedroom The willing lad
had already carried up her box, and
when the door was shut she went to
the glass and surveyed herself discon-
tentedly by gas-light. Out of doors in
the country the sweet May daylight
was lingering still, but night falls early
on London household.
"He must have thought me looking
dowdy and plain" she mused, taking
oil her bonnet and tlinging IL on the
bed. Lucy was right when she told
me 20 get my new clothes made in
town. He sees so many beautifully
dressed girls that he feels ashamed of
me-"
II comforted Olive TO lay the blame
of Michaers coldness on her village
bonnet. She was not without a little
natural vanity, and had always been
accustomed to hear that she was pref
ty girl Michaci had said so, many and
many'a time in the earlier days of their
lovc-making (Mt-spokcn compliments
were In fashion st Eastmeon, and even
the pumpkins" as Michael contcmptu-
ously termed them, were not insensiblo
To the charm of pair of soft brown
eye. These same eyes were now gaz-
ing NJ the reelection Of their owner
through tears, but Olive resolutely
conquered the desire TO weep.
Not only because she wanted TO look
her pretticst did she keep the tears
back. For the sake of the good uncle,
n stranger, and yet well known, she
would carry n smiling face downstairs.
She had looked only for u little kind
ness. but he had received her into n
warm atmosphere of love and taken
hcr at once to his heart. Already she
could not help comparing his tenderness
with Michaels hardness, and remem-
bering that Michael had written of him
with kind of scornful pity. Perhaps,
1t was becnusc Of that very tenderness
that Uncle Wake was an unsuccessful
man. II so, Olive began vaguely to
feel that IL was best TO be failure.
The little parlor looked bright enough
when she reentered il, and Michael was
struck with her improved appearance.
The girl had will of her own, and she
had put all traces Of her disappoint-
ment out of sight. She still wore the
scanty gown, but her pretty shape re-
vealed itself in spite of rustic dress
making; and the soft rough hair, no
longer hidden under the objectionable
bonnet, curled carelcssly over her
white forehead. The old enchantnent
began 10 steal over Michaels spirit
anew; he watched Olive as she talked
co the Wakes; her face, lovely. in re-
pose, gained new charms when she
smiled and spoke. With care and train
ing-his training, she might yet be ad-
mired In tho circles that he was strug-
Cling 10 enter, Anyhow she was his
own chosen sweetheart, and the best
part OF his nature would cling To her to
the end.
Mrs. Wake had taken possession Of
the flowers and fingered over them with
n faint show OF pleasure. She had put
some hyacinths on the supper table
and again their perfume saddened
Olive and carried her thoughts back TO
old days. Michael was here, sitting by
her side, but she found herself longing
for younger and simpler Michael. who
had stood beside her fathers grave with
his eyes full of tears.
But before the evening meal came 70
an ond the lovers were on better terms
with each other. And when Michael
rose TO take his leave Uncle Wake dis.
appeared into the dark shop and his
wife vanished like a phantom, leaving
the young pair alone together
olive" said the young man, taking
her into his arms and booking into hei
face with all the old fondness, "0live
can scarcely believe that this Is not
dream ahall SEQ you every Sunday
dear; you sb,nt know how have al