The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1894-02-03

N&2N
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.
One day she observed Alice sauntering in
the garden, aud Captain Romilly closely
following her Alice was directing her foot
steps towards a beautiful retreat, called
"Flora's Bower" The spot SO called was a
shady place, we'll worthy of its name.
Lady Dovetree, stealing out, and pursuing
secreted herself behind its leaves before
Alice had arrived at it.
Lady Dovetree hated to play eavesdrop-
per but she was anxiously wishing to as
sure herself concerning certain matters.
and had taken the only mode she could
find OF doingso. :
When Alice entered the bower, she flung
herself on a seat, and Instantly burst into q
passionate food of tears. She appeared to
have sought this privacy on purpose to M
dulge in the luxury ola good cry;" and
accordingly she gave full vent to her sor-
row.
ITO think that he once loved me so dear
ly, and that lie is 10Y going to marry an
other!" she sobbcd in her handkerchief, in
tones distinct enough to reach Lady Dove
trees ear. well, let him marry her, if he
likes" Alice went on, sobbingly; "I'm
quite certain they'll he unhappy with one
another--for aunty is ten years too old for
him"
Lady Dovetree -writhed at these words;
nevertheless she admitted that there might
be some truth in them.
A. this moment Oliver Romil'y appeared
at the entrance ofthe bower; "Aliee!" he
thTTGIg s yo nimss maiden; ~ hf iili slds' he, head
haughtily, and hastily dried her eyes. Go
~ don't want either 10 see YOU. 40 hear
your voice! Go away-go to my aanal!"
"Alice, Alice, do you hear me. I'M very
miserable, my dear girl,-very miserable,
miserable! And so you ought to be,
considering all things! ButyouTl pc made
more miserable by aud by, when you mar
Oliver Romilly covered his face, and
moaned in his clasped hands.
o. mas% G 3Slo a sjs i Ssr y,c taf YOU .h isi1 f ths
rather pleased to sec you :u1fer; men who
practice ialsehood toward women, and try
to break their hearts Just Tor amusement,
as any n may say, ought to be visited by
some ofthe pain they infict upon Others"
"But. Alice, / vow l never had a serious
thought about you when / used to f1irt with
you in town."
"Morc shame to you!" she retorted,
sharply.
"And I never dreamed hut you under
| stood as much, Alice" lie said, concluding
thesentence she had just broken.
"You told ME you loved me; and sup.
posing you to be a gentleman, l believed
| you word"
Yes" he stammered, not knowing
what to say.
"But l was deceived; Captain Romilly is
No Uonflanan. hQi s a ncillatinD-n ,
For Heavens sake, Alice have some
mercy oil mel" he broke forth with passion
| ate carnestness. "You have not been de-
ceived by me; for I have searched my
heart, searched it thoroughly, and find
that you, and you alone, are mistress oft.
knees, and seized her hand.
And Lady Dovetree?" asked Alice, re-
| prOachiully.
Oliver Ronailly pushed his hair off his
heated brow, and looked greatly distressed.
You cannot break faith with her; you
are pledged to her most solenlnly."
"Ye /; i'll u frantic. luckless hour, ] asked
her to become my wife"
"Does she love yOu?"
Captain Romilly made nc reply, but
looked sl,eepishly on the ground.
'Let go my hand!' said Alice. IF my
aunt is weak enough to love you, you must
marry her,"
mo. 1 will speak TO her; I will avow the
whole truth to her. l will tell her what a
rascallv, migrate ul fellow ] am"
"rhe blow will kill her, Oliver" sobbed
Alice. mo, no! Marry her, Oliver. and let
US both be wretcl,ed for evcrniore!"
At this moment, Lady Dovetrce noiseless;
quickly reSained the house. Her lace was
white as marble, and her heart was throb.
bling, wildly She sat down, and began to
ponder. How was she to act in this most
painful affair? She could not suffer Captain
Romilly to reject her.--no, her wo.nan's
pride forbade that. She must reject him,
and that at once.
"He shall find me stronger than himself"
she mentally cried. "For I shall smile
while my heart is wrung. Yes. I will con-
troll my. feelings and crush them back
again. I will remember the count of my
years-.the matronly dignity on my brow,
and will forget that this man has ever
this, and none shall guess the pain it costs
me to do it"
you Captain la I u said one 81 oF''t Lady ~
Dovetree's servants, addressing Oliver
Romilly. as he was meditatiyely stroll
ing along n ofthe garden paths.
The gentleman started from his reyerie.
my lady is in the library, Captain" the
domestic explained.
Yes; 1 will go to her Immediately,
James"
And James forthwith disappeared.
"NO poor fellow, sentenced to be shot,
would envy me my position at the present
moment said Oliver. very dolefnlly. I'm
sure I'd rather confront q score OF pointed
bayonets than the face of Lady Dovetree.
But the scene must be gone throu III. ! feel
like the veriest criminal in creation. What
does she want with ME, I wonder?"
And with trembling steps-steps nnbefit-
ting asoldier-Oliver RomillY sought the
library, and presented himseH before the
waiting lady, who received him with .
smile.
She pointed toa chair, and taking an
o:her, she placed herself opposite to, him:
divers heart was beating fast 'and pain
mot long ago. Captain Romilly, you did
and hand" she said, in. a somewhat en-
barrassed tone.
He bowed his head mechanically.
"Well," proceeded she. with consider
able hesitation. 'since that time, l have
searched my heart---searched it thoroughly
.--and ] have discovered that it cannot re-
ceive you, es its master..'
Captain Romilly started ut these words;
they were almost the same as those he had
just uttered to Alice, under the shady
branches of Flora's Bower.
..You will not be inconsolable at tiny loss,
Captain" she went on, with assumed
gliety. II am ten years too old for you"
sue added. laughing as merrily as she
oould. poor thing. Some time or other
you will find q younger woman to love-
one whose grey hairs and wrinkles will
not be likely to appear before your own