The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1894-11-29

in a moment"
When the door closed she lifted the
heartsease tenderly; n mute appeal,
they seemed to her, from the giver
poor fellow" she thought regret
fully. II should have told him; how
ever, there is no use keeping him
waiting. / might as well get through
with it at once"
She pinned the heartsease in the
lace at her throat, cast q parting
glance at the mirror and started down
the stairs.
AS she reached the lower hall the
front door opened and servant ad-
mitted girl in gray with bunch OF
roses thrust into her muff
"Why, Edith" she said rapidly. II
never thought to find you down SO
early. If you are going out don't let
me keep you."
81 am not going out; come into the
sitting room and get warm"
mo, won't sit down. only want
to see you moment came to ask
you to join our house party-there
will only be eight of us, the same old
crowd we had last year"
''The same crowd? How delight
fulp'
1.-THE same. and not the same. I
won't invite Mr.. Agnew now"
''And what has poor Mr.. Agnew
done?"
"What has he done? Oh, nothing
unusual; they all do it sooner or later;
but an engaged man is de trop at an
affair of this kind. No girl wants
him for her partner, and really, ono
can't blame them"
San engaged man. For one horri-
was about to faint; the next, however,
the tables and chairs righted them
selves, her visitors face ceased its
grotesque gyrations and she was con-
scious that she was speaking.
$50! Where did you hear that pleas
ant bit of news?" she asked, seating
herself on the arm of a chair.
"Why, last night; Mr.. Lane told me
coming home. Strange he never men
toned it to you. am horribly disap-
pointed. Fancy Charlie Agnew mar
ried to Boston girl You remember
her-a terrible little creature who
visited the Mores. Wealthy, of course
trust Charlie for that-but, oh! so
plain"
Beauty is in the eye of the be-
holder" quoted Edith, lightly. She
felt longing to cry out, to bury her
face somewhere, instead of which she
must smile and look unconcerned and
discuss this love affair with the indif-
ference of a mere acquaintance. 'If
remember rightly, she was nice little
thing"
sNice? Heavens! Fancy Charlie's
coming to that-actually to marrying
nice girl! His best enemy couldn't
wish him worse luck. He has disap-
pointed me dreadfully. l thought"
significantly, she fancied some one
else, somebody nearer home"
Somebody nearer home?-oh, do
you mean myself? How awfully fun
ny! Why, we are very good friends,
we have always been friends: but -
rapid flash of thought; then, with
rising color: Il am going to marry
another man.
Her visitors face expressed intense
surprise. "Going to be married." she
mo one has heard" said the other,
with some emotion, land, by the way,
Mr.. Manning is waiting for me in the
library. must ask you to excuse me-"
''Mr. Manning!"
'Did you not guess? l thought of
course you would. Don't speak of it,
Janet. I only told you because" (slow-
ly) you are such good friend of
mine
And appreciate it accordingly. /
wish you every happiness"-sh laid
her hand lightly on Edith's arm-'you
know that, don't you?"
"Why, yes-you have always wished
me well, haven't you? See how po-
tent your wishes have been But to re-
turn to our first subject, ] shall be
glad to go with you to Arley. Last
years visit was dream"
''Then shall count on you. Come,
you will have to let me out; l am not
au fait with your latch"
''What strong wind there is draw
up your wraps. Good-by and again
thank you for thinking of me-
The front door slammed and Edith
stood a moment in the hall, gathering
courage for what was to come; then
she turned and went into the library.
Manning, who was standing at a
distant window, came forward at her
entrance.
81 am afraid kept YOU" she said,
giving him trembling hand, ''but /
was detained by an early CALI from
friend"
SAN early CALL" he repeated; then
what do you think of me?"
"Ah, but told you to come; that is
altogether different. l wanted you"
"You wanted me?'' he cried eagerly:
''my darling, may interpret that after
my own fashion? Do you really care
for me little?"
She could not speak, but for answer
she came to him, laying her beautiful
head on his breast.
Love me-" she whispered, passion
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