The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-05-20

neeun plume yourself TOO mucn on your
constancy, because you were in Borneo, it
seems, nearly all the time, and | suppose
the young ladies in that interesting island
were not very serious rivals to poor Ade-
laide However, we'll admire you very
much indeed if you'll only go away and
write your book in some other quite village.
And then you can think of her as badly as
you like"
They had reached the point where their
ways parted, and Miss Gray turned off
abruptly, not wishing to give him the
chance of replying But she faced round
again to say quickly;
Remember, DIR. Wilson, I've had my
troubles, and they've left me a hopeless
old maid"
The doctors first impulse was to be angry
with Miss Gray as meddlesome intruder,
but her closing words touched him with
compunction, and he only saw in her evi-
IDENTIFY well meant interference fresh
proof of Adelaide's weakness. She hadn't
even been able to keep his secret He
meditated much on the advice he had re-
ceived, and tried to make up his mind to
leave Knagford forthwith. To remain was
torture-the heavy, dull pain of disappoint-
ment,-goaded by constant pin pricks of
momentary irritation. That eternal Mr..
Chessall, with his constant thirst for
miscellaneous information about ''your
wonderful discoveries in that interesting
island, and his absurd tone of exaggerat-
ed Difference. And then to feel obliged
to watch him walking or sitting with
Adelaide, and to note his proud air of
proprietorship; Mrs. Lilburne, too, had
hit him hard once or twice. Her ma
ternal pride over the approaching nup-
tials was hard to bear-she felt so pleased
that dear Adelaide would not go away from
Knagford-it was such suitable match,
and they were so much attached to each
other, and she had seen it coming on for a
long time before they were actually engag-
ed, ETC., etc.
DR.. Wilson's reflections drove him up to
Mrs. Liburne's on the afternoon of the
next day. He was determined to see
Adelaide once more alone, and then-to be
guided by circumstances. One passionate
appeal might yet win his cause, and if not,
then he would choose some Tyrolese or
Swiss mountain height, where he could
work hard at his book, and where Natures
grandeur might help to make him forget
feminine fckleness. He was so eager for
prompt decision that he was very disap-
pointed when he reached the cottage to
find that Adelaide and her mother had
gone to Plymouth for the day. The refec-
ton that this errand had probably some re-
lation to the approaching event was an
additional evaporation.
He moved slowly away from the door,
and then, led by a sudden impulse, turned
towards the little arbor in the garden. He
wanted to look once more at the place where
he had taken his final farewell of Adelaide,
five years before. 1t had been her favor
te haunt, and he sighed profoundly as he
thought of it. As he reached the entrance,
he saw the place was not untenanted. A
tall girl was sitting with book before her
ntently reading. 1t was Maud Lilburne,
and DR.. Wilson saw that she was not aware
of his presence. He stood quite still for
few seconds watching her. Maud, with
clear cut features, seen in profile, her long
lashes dropping little, and her youthfully
rounded figure bending little forward
made very pretty picture framed in the
green of the foliage One ray Of sunlight
struggling through the leaves, lighted up
the gold of her hair. DR.. Wilson gazed
for few seconds, and then sigh betray-
ed him. Maud looked up and let her book
fall in astonishment. But though surpris-
ed. she was not at all embarrassed to see
the unexpected intruder on her solitude;
there were no signs of confusion discern.
ible behind the frank smile with which she
greeted him.
''I see you haven't forgotten your way
to our arbor," she said 1.-THE creeperS
have grown, and it is much better hidden
than it used to be. Do you remember,
she continued, as they strolled back towards
the garden, "helping me with my German
in there? You explained to me all about
the separable verbs, and when | used to
write my exercises, and had to remember
the rules, always thought of you"
pWhat dreadfully dull association !" DIR.
Wilson said lightly.
aPerhaps it is, she said, "but it is bet
ter than none. | notice that you have
completely forgotten me.
Dr. Wilson made an emphatic disclaimer
while Maud looked at him searchingly.
"Tell me, she said, zone single thing you
can remember about me.
DR.. Wilson hesitated for some time, and
then said:
aYou used to be fond of climbing trees
aud sitting on the branches"
Maud blushed slightly, and then laughed.
"You might as well have forgotten that.
But the last time | climbed tree was on
my twelfth birthday. Let me have some
more of your "reminiscences.
'sYou had little strip of garden Of
YOUR own, the doctor continued, sand |
planted young plum tree for you,
aOh, you're beginning to remember
things Maud said brightly. 'But you
are not exactly right; for there are pears
growing on your plum tree. Come and sec
them"
The tour round the garden lasted only
quarter of an hour, and then DR.. Wilson
walked back slowly to his inn, thinking as
he went Of the young lady he had just left
How beautiful she was, and how frank
and unsophisticated. Smiles strayed over
his face as he mentally catalogued her
perfections. Then he thought of Adelaide
and became appropriately gloomy again
His visit had not settled anything after
ALL Then he remembered that he had
promised Maud to play lawn tennis will
her at forthcoming party, and so would
be obliged to stay in Knagford for nearly
another week.
CHAPTER ".
Two days after her friendly counsel and
advice to DR.. Wilson, Miss Gray left knag
ford and was away about a month. When
she got back, her first visit was to Mrs
Lilburnes. She had a good deal to talk
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