The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-10-06

ever escaped her lips.
At the end of week Theodore began
to get restless, and said he must really 90
and see about furnishing up Woodleigh
Manor for the reception Of his bride. So,
escorted by Mr.. Pindar, he walked up to
the grove one morning to. bid them all
farewell The Hooker family came en-
masse into the drawing room to see them,
and Theodore was particularly agreeable
and lively, his good spirits under the cir
cumstances taking every one little by
surprise He quite monopolized the con-
version, and descanted at great length on
all he intended to do at Woodleigh Manor.
OF course he should write to Veronica
every day, and in months time he hoped
to run up and pay her short visit. Then
when the date fixed for the marriage drew
near he should come back to the Stain
bourne Arms with his best man, and Pin
dar, like the brick he was, had promised
to put up one or two friends who might
like to be present at the ceremony. So he
ran on, and the family sat and smiled, and
Veronica listened with burning cheeks, and
seemed to find the publicity of the affair
little trying.
I'VE won't have a grand wedding, l
think, Veronica" remarked Theodore at
length, for the first time addressing his
lady love particularly.
Certainly not, if you prefer a quiet
one" answered Veronica, coloring still
more deeply, and looking very embarrassed.
Mr.. Pindar glanced curiously at her, then
turned his eyes quickly away as though the
sight panied him.
ayes, I think | prefer quiet one. A
fuss and crowd Of people detract from
the solemnity Of the occasion, don't you
Think"
Lizzie gave faint derisive sounding
little sniff and looked at Mary, who gave a
tiny but intelligent sniff in reply.
Theodore went on regardless Of shifts,
"We'll have the immediate relations and
friends, nice friendly little breakfast
and away he said Importantly.
Again Veronica blushed deeply, and
again Mr.. Pindar just glanced at her.
Bushes became Veronica, she looked
unusually pretty and young in her embar-
rassment, Her lover evidently thought
50, for at this point he rose, and with
almost an impassioned air asked her to
come out with him into the garden.
We will not describe this parting scene.
Suffice it to say that Theodore's fervency
on the occasion amply atoned for two or
three afternoons of neglect, and he left
Veronica with warm glow in her heart.
Love was sweet, she felt, even-even if
the lover were not quite the ideal lover.
"The dear girl !" exclaimed Theodore
dramatically as he walked down the drive.
Il could hardly tear myself away from her,
Pindar. You have no idea what hold
she has taken on my heart. | feel as if |
could not live through two long months
without seeing her"
Il thought you intended running down
to see her at the end of month, " observ-
ed Mr. Pindar, dryly.
"0h, yes, of course, forgot-so | am,
said Theodore, looking little disconnected |.
81 remember now did say So"
81 trust your memory will serve you
better when the month is up" said the
rector, sharply. Then, as though sorry to
have spoken sharply, he locked his arm
through the younger mans and tried to
discuss pleasantly with him the details of
the approaching wedding.
keep an eye on the sweet girl, and let
me know at once if she has even finger
ache" were Theodore's last words to his
friend, as the train bore him away.
A month passed. Theodore wrote every
day with unfailing regularity to his 6ancee
and sent besides frequent letters to Mrs.
Pindar. Judging by his letters, pre-
partitions were being made on large
scale for the bride. A billiard room was
being built on to the manor, with smok-
ing room opening out of it, all to please
the bride. The stables, too, were being
enlarged, and two valuable hunters had
been bought and were now waiting, like
"Don't 20 to the house-she in in there,
pointing to little wood to the left. "Oh,
MIR. Pindar, | am so sorry for her.
villain written to her p
s'Yes, and mentioned having also written
to you. / felt you would come at once to
help Veronica. That is why | am waiting
to tell you where to find her"
"Daisy What shall | say to her p
Daisy looked embarrassed. You must
speak for yourself" said she, after slight
pause.
.'Do they know-the others-up at the
house,"
"Not yet. Telling them will oe to her
the bitterest part of it all. DR.. Pindar is
there's there no one who loves her well
enough to take her away from the Grove,
where she is so unhappy"
For moment-a moment full of mean
ing and emotion-the girls blue eyes met
the mans dark brown ones; then with a
blush Daisy fled, and without word the
rector turned and plunged into the wood.
He had not to 90 far. Veronica was seated
on tree stump little way from the mar
row path which led through the wood.
She rose when she saw the rector coming,
and tried to greet him naturally, but in her
pale, sensitive face he read, as clearly as if
She had expressed it, all she was feeling and
suffering. The modification, the wounded
pride, the desperate struggle to keep up
brave appearance, apd save what she could
of her insulted woman's dignity.
"Thank you so much for coming" she
said, her eyes downcast, her mouth quiv-
ering. "He said he had asked you to
come to explain, to exonerate, but wish
for no explanations, don't trouble to exoner-
ate him
"Exonerate himp' exclaimed the rector
sudden anger almost choking him for a
@The coward Exonerate him."
"Let it pass. The loss of him is nothing.
He was unworthy. felt it; in my heart
[ felt it was wrong. But-Mr. Pindar, if