The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-03-16
CHAPTER v.-coNrrNuED.

OhC RlCCbNu OliNN hihNil NhOuDh ahNs
fitted slowly up a dark staircase to
lead her to 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
off her bonnet and hinging it on the
bed. Lucy was right when she told
ME to, get my new clothes made in
town. He sees so many beautifully
dressed girls that he feels ashamed Of
me-"
1t comforted Olive to lay the blame
of Michaels coldness on her village
bonnet. She was not without little
natural vanity, and had always been
accustomed to hear that she was pret-
ty girl. Michael had said so, many and
many time in the earlier days of their
love-making. Out-spoken compliments
were in fashion at Eastmeon, and even
the pumpkins" as Michael contemptu-
ously termed them, were not insensible
to the charm of pair of soft brown
eyes. These same eyes were now gaz-
ing at the reflection of their owner
through tears, but Olive resolutely
conquered the desire to weep.
Not only because she wanted to look
her prettiest did she keep the tears
back. For the sake of the good uncle,
a stranger, and yet well known, she
would carry smiling fnce downstairs.
She had looked only for little kind
ness, but he had received her into a
warm atmosphere of love and takel
her at once to nis heart. Already she
could not help comparing his tenderness
( with Michael's hardness, and remem-
bering that Michael had written Of him
with kind Of scornful pity. Perhaps,
It was because Of that very tenderness
that Uncle Wake was an unsuccessful
man. II so, Olive began vaguely To
feel that it was best to be failure.
The little parlor looked bright enough
when she recntered 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, nc
longer hidden under the Objectionable
bonnet, curled carclessly over her
white forehead. The old enchantnent
began to steal over Michaels spirit
anew; he watched Olive rs she talked
to 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 the circles that he was strug
Cling to enter. Anyhow she was his
own chosen sweetheart, and the best
part OF his nature would cling TO her tC
the end.
Mrs. Wake had taken possession ot
the flowers and fingered over them will
faint show of pleasure. She had put
some hyacinths on the supper table
and again their perfume saddenet
Olive and carried her thoughts back u
old days. Michael was here, sitting by
her side, but she found herself longing
for n younger and simpler Michael who
had stood beside her fathers grave will
his eyes full Of tesrs.
But before the evening meal came u
IasNn.-
with each other. And when Michae
rose TO take his leave Uncle Wake dis
appeared into the dark shop and hi
wife vanished like n phantom, leaving
the young pair alone together.
"0live, said the young man, taking
her into his arms and looking into hei
face with all the old fondness, "0live
can scarcely believe that this Is no
dream. shall soc you every Sunday
dear; you don't know how have al
ways missed you on Sundays. Give mi
kiss and convince me that you are |
real creature. I'm half afraid OF waft
ing up tomorrow and finding that yoi
are still miles away from me-"
For the second time she lifted he
face to his, less frankly and gladly thar
before. She loved him as truly an,
: deeply as ever, but the girlish conf
dence In hery1lf would never return
For the future she would be on he
guard against mistakes; she hat
learned 10 control those natural i'm
pulses Of affection which had hithert'
been unchecked. And the lesson has
been mastered very quickly, for Their
is no learner more rapid than loving
woman. t., ....,
~ am real enough, Michael, she said
quietly. There is no fear of my goini
back to Eastmeon, even II could trave
on the wings Of the wind like the prin
cess IN fairy tale. You know I an
not wanted there" ~ 80 "a
81 am glad you haye left them. | di'
not like my future wife TO live unde