The Lamar register., 1893-07-08

sent for her because she should not
stay alone in the house where her
father lately died. want you TO do
what you can to bring her out OF her
melancholy condition. She will sleep
in the third story. because it il
quieter there. and will sase my owl
sitting-room across the hall from
your room You must help us in
this
Barbara consented and in due time
was introduced to the new arrival
So mournful was the girl that Bar
bara forgot the rivalry between them.
or rather put it out OF her mind
Much of her spare time during the
first week was spent in Miss Palm
er's sitting-roon, but the latter never
mentioned Harry's name nor her own
bereavement That young man ap-
peared unremitting in his attention
to her and in his efforts to make
peace with Barbara. but was met in
the one case by weary in Inference.
and in the other by cold and stud
led avoidance.
One evening. the last of the week.
going up stairs after dark, Barbara
stopped at the door of the sitting
room. The door was ajar and she
pushed it open softly. There were
no lights. but through the dusk Bar
bara saw and heard that which
riveted her to the floor.
In her easy chair at the window
sat Gertrude, her face covered with
her hands Leaning over the high
back of the chair stood figure
which she knew well-knew also
every infection of the voice that rose
earnestly above the rgir.s low sob
bing.
Don't say that. Gertrude. don't
say that. Even SO great grief as
yours cannot entirely kill the heart
Think OF your friends; youaare dear
to them. Why Gertrude and the
voice sank lower. Barbara could
see him softly oking the dark
head. Il have loved you ever since
we played together as little children.
and our good aunt looks on you as
her daughter. and you
Thought of the shameful thing
that she YVES doing surged over Bar
bara. enchanting her senses. and
she fed. quivering with grief and
modification TO her room. pressing
two cold halds to her burning
cheeks.
Tie next two days being Saturday
and Sunday. Barbara was free to re-
main in her room, nursing her aching
head.
On Monday she sat istlessly by her
front window waiting for the break
fast 6ell. when a carriage drove up
and stopped. and a young man leaped
out and. dashing up to the door, rang
the bell violently. She had barely
time to notice he was blonde.
haggard and travel-stained. 1t
passed out of her mind. and an extra
commotion below did not attract her
attention.
A few moments later tie bell rang.
and the girl opened her door to go
dow nstairs. Coming up were two
men, Harry Randall and the stranger.
a man pale and thin. with blue ewes
almost black with excitement Harry
raped at the s1tting-room door
opposite. and furg it open. Gertrude
stood within. her face showing chalk
white against her black gown. The
stranger started forward, OPEN
armed, and. in response to his
hoarse. hushed cry of ..Gertrude,
Gertrude" she rushed to him and
the door swung shut.
Harry turned toward the girl be-
side him and took possession of her
hands in forcible manner
There" he declared, II have been
Instrumental in settling the happi-
ness OF one couple. and after have
one more affair of the kind of nv
mind. will be the happiest man
alive Barbara, why have you treated
me so2"
The pink and white Auctuated in
the girls face as she faltered. Il
thought that you and Miss Palmer
| thought-Mrs. Paxton said that her
father had just died and--and the
other day heard you tell her that
you had loved her all your life. and
Here her voice broke down utterly.
and after striving vainly to free her
bands. she was forced to hide her
eyes on the manly shoulder toward
which she was drawn.
why. my dear little girl,- and
the voice was certainly earnest
enough to please anyone. sis this
the trouble that has come between
us? Didn't you know that Gertrude
was mourning for her lover. Gerald
Northrop, whom we thought dead.
out who has so happily returned?