The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1893-03-10

ever, but an indefnable cloud over
shadowed his fine face. His mothers
fond eyes saw it the moment they met.
my boy will be disappointed, she
sighed, but she spoke never word
A week later Arthur Lisle was called
to the city on business, and he took
that opportunity to purchase a very
costly and elegant diamond ring: and
being anxious to please his lovely
Louise, he took the train to Talbot,
and walked across to the Lenoir cot
tage.
The autumn day was fine, and antici-
pating a long ramble with his betrothed,
he hurried toward the house The
front door was open, and small house
maid was cleaning the steps, She ush-
cred him into the small drawing room,
and there he sat down. AS he did
SO the sound Of angry voices reached
t his ears.
Just across from the drawing room
was smaller room, where Louise and
her mother often sat sewing, and it
was from this that the sounds pro.
ceeded.
Arthur listened in alarm at first, fear
ing that some one was ill.
Nov, Louise, my dear. try to be
reasonable" pleaded the voice Of Mrs.
Lenoir. 1--WE are doing all we can for
you. You know how your poor father
stands, my dear The roof over our
heads is mortgaged, and pray how can
he raise money to buy such extrava-
giant things?"
Il don't know nor care" retorted the
angry voice Of Louise. Let papa Dor
row it, then. He must get it some
how for I've set my heart on having
Il splendid outfit
$50 you WILL" said the mother, sooth-
ingly. You have three nice silks,
and a. number of other Iine dresses be-
sides; and you know, dear, you won't
need so very many changes at Beech
wood
Louise broke into a peal of scornful
laughter.
''Beechwood. indeed" she cried.
Don't fancy that I shall bury myself
at Beechwood with Arthur Isles
old cat of a mother! I'll show
my fine gentleman better than
that. I'm going to the city for
the winter, and to balls and operas,
and everything, and l will have suita-
bic outfit, no matter how papa has to
raise it. ! must have it, and you know
I always have my way"
Then there came a sound of sob
bling, and child's voice cried out:
"See, Lou, you've made poor mamma
cry again. What naughty girl you
are!'
''Shut up you meddlesome brat. Who
asked you to put in your say? l don't
see what you're here for, anyhow,
hauling at what few things I've got,
and gaping at every word one says.
Take yourself off this minute, and that
for your Smartness!
The sharp sound of blow followed,
and the child, Louise's sister, rushed
through the drawing-room. crying bit
terly. Arthur Lisle had risen to his
feet, and the child saw him. For an
instant she stared in amazement. and
then she screamed out with wicked de-
light:
AHA, Miss Louise, here's Mr. Lisle,
and he's heard how naughty you've
been. Oh, dearie amt / glade
Louise hurried to the drawing room
door. and there she stood transfixed,
in her torn, untidy wrapper, her hair
in a tangle. and her pretty face dis
torted with passion.
Arthur Lisle, standing grave and
stern, regarded her in utter silence,
with an agony at his heart like death.
Then he advanced with extended hand
"Good-by, Louise" he said, gently
mo words that I could speak could
tell YOU what I feel I am glad this
has happened; it were better now
than later! But l don't think | can
ever forgive you. Louise, you have
broken my hearth
And before the terrified girl could
utter a word, he was gone.
"Oh, me, oh, me-" she walled. wiring
! ing her hands. Il have lost him-oh
| I have lost him. Mother, what shall
do?"
Bear it in shame. as your just de
serts," replied her mother, severely.
| Over the autumn hills and under the
purple sky Arthur Isle walked home
to Beechwood, shaken like a very
reed.
| Mother" he said, briefly, when SHE
met him, cit is all. over; you We're
right"
| .And all for the best, my son." re
| piled his mother.
| Arthur could mot think 50 then; but
wears after, when the true and tender
woman who was his wife and the moth
or of his children sat beside him under
the summer oaks, in the fullness OF Ills
love and gratitude he knew that bis
| mothers words were true.