Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-09-12

walked away from theHl, anu were
already out of sight in the dusky
light, and they two were alone ON the
sandy shore-alone In the world, 1t
seemed. with the level marshes
stretching far behind, and the great
sea trembling before them.
II shall be leaving here soon" he
said. "before | 90 there is something
| should like to tell you--if might
that is"
Lefty looked up grayely, just enough
curiosity in her face and no more.
Certainly you may tell me-" she
said, "if it is anything necessary for
me to hear"
II don't know that it is necessary
vo, should hear it, he replied; but
should like You 10 listen, If you viii,
If YOU care to-"
The self-possessed man was getting
a little embarrassed, his firm voice
had grown tremulous, and no school
boy could have uttered the next words
more hurriedly, more falterlng than
he did.
Miss Leigh, / have grown to love
YOU 1t was the first time size had
ever heard it; the words had a sweet
Jingle in her ears, though they had
not the power to reach her heart, and
for a little while she stood silent, her
face dropped, watching the water that
was dashing against her very feet, and
wetting the trailing folds of her dress.
Ernest Devereux, one hand resting
on IA bowlder near, the other playing
restlessly with the charms that dan
gled from his watch-chain, stood 81
lent also, and watched her.
The sweet, tlngling sound Of the
words Just spoken was fading away
before the dream Of words she had
hoped 10 hear one day spoken by an
other, and with a vivid blush she
raised her head and met the eager
look bent upon her.
You surprise me-" she said, speak
ing fast in her confusion. Il never
thought Of such thing. You-you-
| am sorry and then speech failed
her altogether and she looked down
on the seething waters with a crimson
face and trelnulous lips that would
not perform their office.
Ernest Devereux reused himself, and
his face that had softened into real
emotion, grew hard. 1t was only am
other appointment and there was
Boulogne, If the worst came
4
Leigh" said he sorry that | should
he so rash and presumptuous. Pray
forgive me- and forget it,
He gave her his hand as he spoke,
10 lead her out Of the reach of the
waves, and looking at him, she won
dered If she had just seen those cold
blue eyes allght, that passionate face
glowing with eaneStness. Had She
so seen it, or was it only fancy? Per-
haps it was but fancy, for lately she
had grown to fancy many things that
We're impossible: and a sigh rose and
was crushed back again, in the sec
ond's time that she was retreating
from the incoming water
The following morning Ernest Dew
ereux went back to London. Charles
Temple did not return with him.
Il shall run over to Ponsonbys now
that I'm so near" said he; but |
shall meet you at the Layburns' in
November"
Possibly" said Ernest Deyereux.
though he knew very we'll 1t was pos
sible that he should be met this side
of the Channel for some indefinite
space Of time
The same day DIR. Leonard called,
mere formal visit, and he had not
been near for three weeks and more.
Lefty and Mrs Atherton We're in the
drawing groom playing with some fancy
work. Charles Temple, lying back in
an elSy-chair by the open window,
was reading poetry to them, As the
doctor entered Temple laid the book
down, and sat toying idly with its
leaves as they huttered to and fro in
the breeze, his shapely hands as white
aS wonans. his eyes half closed,
his scarlet lips curved YEARLY
in the corner Of the lounge. felt mis-
erably conscious of the visitors i'll
humor, He seldom spoke to her, or
glanced toward her and addressed
himself chiefly 10 Mrs Athcrton. The
lady answered his brief inquiries vol
uhly, and pressed him TO stay TO lun-
cheon. but he declined He had "a
great number of visits 70 make that
morning" he said, and he could not
POSTPONE any Of them rs he was short
Nv leaving Kenmore" Mrs. Atherton
looked surpmsed and he explained
that he was going 70 the south of
England for some time and might per-
haps eventually settle there.
But your patients, Doctor I.ennara
whatever will they do without you?"
cried Mrs, Athertou, her blue eyes
opening wide nj the news.
Very wen, | hope" he replied.