The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-12-19

then Miss Cynthia moved. She looked
away from the sea at last. and down at
the dropping flowers in her hand. Then
suddenly she let them fall buried her face
in her hands, and burst into a dreadful
weeping. Her thin. lank figure shook with
the violence Of her sObs; her poor silly lit
tie sailor hat got pushed all on one side;
aid got up softly and went away, for
one should not look on at a breaking heart,
and 1 could do nothing to comfort her. L
looked back once, and she was still sitting
there-a very pitiful figure in the bright
sunlight.
L did not see Miss Cynthia again that
day. She had bad headache, her niece
told me, and did not care to come down
TO dinner. Miss Treleven had very heavy
eyes herself, and 1 noticed that she had
not word to say to Mr.. Houston, who
looked as black as thunder.
But the next morning 1 saw Miss Gym
thia: she was sitting in the garden, upon
the seat where we first made acquaintance;
and as l came near her l was astonished
at the change in her appearance. She
wore a quiet gray dress and the youthful,
fringe was gone; her thin, cOiOrless hair
was brushed smoothly down, and she had
| bonnet on instead Of the wide, d0wery
hat she had always worn in the garden.
But the change was more than this. Some
thing was gone that had been there; 1
think IL was hope.
Nearly all the people staying at the no
tel had gone upon long excursion, and
As / sat down beside her | saw that she
he'd letter in her hands, and she began
to speak very quietly-not at al in her
usual nervous, Hurried way
Il want you'll want you, my dear, 10
read this" handing me the letter; you
will understand"
| took 1t silently and read 1t. 1t was an
offer Of marriage signed James Houston"
and burst out into an indignant ex-
clamation. But Miss Cynthia put her
hand on mine-it fe.t very hot and dry
"Please-please do not say anything.
want you to stay with me. wrote note
to ask him to come here. think can DO
il better with you by me-"
AS she spoke her hand began TO tremble,
and spot of bright red mounted to her
cheek. l followed here glance, and saw
the tai figure of Mr.. Houston coming up
the garden. He eyed me sulkily as he
came near
II am afraid intrude," said he. lifting
his hat. But I understood"
Yes. certainly, Mr.. Houston" said Miss
Cynthia. Il asked you to come here. But
the presnce of this young lady need not
interfere. think-I think there has been
little mistake"
She spoke in rather a high voice, and
was holding my hand tight. Men are very
stupid; 1 do not think Mr.. Houston saw
how she was trembling.
Mistaken he said, flushing a dark red
all over his handsome face. Il don't
think"
Il hope, indeed, that it has been mis-
take" said Miss Cynthia, looking very
straight ut him; "for l should be sorry to
think you could suppose that L could really
entertain such a ridiculous proposition.
You are a young man, Mr.. Houston, and
II am getting an old woman"
She was very brave, but at the last SEN
tence her voice began to waver, and she
stopped suddenly and clasped her hands
firmly rn
l never saw any man look so confused
and thoroughly ashamed of himself as the
young fellow standing before us. He
| looked at me angrily; 1 knew he would
have given anything to get me away. He
opened his mouth to begin a sentence, but
only stammered and muttered something
| about devotion and his feelings. But Miss
Cynthia had steadied herself and inter
| rupted him.
Il am sure you must see yourself, Mr.
Houston, how very absurd such a thing
would be. I cannot believe you are seri-
| ous-it would be ridiculous"
And Miss Cynthia began to laugh
shrilly. l did not like to hear her; II was
| difficult for her TO stop when she had once
begun.
Il have sometimes been a little
amused" she said, with trembling lips.
! And do you know I sometimes thought
that it was-that ii was Maud that you
really admired-and that you were MAX
ing interest with her old aunt, as you
were afraid to speak to her yourself. And
| If it were so, indeed should be very glad.
Maud is my heiress, Mr.. Houston, and
should be glad to devote all L have TO
making her happy. AS for me" said Miss
| Cynthia. quietly, 81 am an old woman. and
all the interest 1 have now is in seeing
my dear niece happy"
Mr.. Houston had turned very pale.
'Oh, Miss Cynthia-what can L say?"
| he began.
1 think some real emotion stirred his
! selfish soul; but before he could say any
| more another voice broke in.
What are you saying about me, Aunt
/ Cynthia? 1 heard my name, am sure"
Miss Treleven had come quietly round
the corner of side path and stood close
/ beside us, with flushed face and spark
! ling eyes.
What are you saying about me, dear?"
! she repeated, kneeling down by her aunt
| and putting her arm round her protect
/ ingly.
Miss Cynthia faltered now, and the
! tears came into her eyes.
| Maud, my darling" she said. hesltat-
! ingly, Mr.. Houston and have been talk
/ ing about you. My dear, l grudge moth
/ ing in the world to make you happy. And
| / have always taken q great interest in
! Mr.. Houston" she added, with gentle
| dignity. IL will go in now, l think. l am
/ A little tired You young people can have
/
But 1 am going in with YOU" said
| her niece, rising TO her feet. THANK you,
! Aunt Cynthia, but 1 have nothing to say
/ to Mr.. Houston, and l am sure he can
| have nothing to say to me- Nothing"
/ she repeated, with emphasis, looking
| straight at the dark, handsome face be-
| fore her.
1 think I was almost a little sorry for
| him then; he had such 4 cOwed beaten
/ look But he recovered himself quickly
! I'm that case" said he defiantly, Il will
| wish you all good morning"
| And with a hasty crunch of his heel
upon the gravel, he lifted his hat and
J strobe away down the long path and out
| of our sight.
] "Oh, Maudr' began Miss Cynthia.
| And, oh. auntiei Did you think !
would leave you-for him? I shall never,
never be married, darling, and I'll stay
with you always"
| And Miss Treleven burst out crying