The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-07-04

The redundant foliage, the pretty
little villas Nesting in orn where
you least expected to find them,
charmed her exceedingly, and imme-
diately luncheon was over she
started Off on q peregrination, fol-
lowed by that faithful dog--Milel
Berkeley.
Lady Marcia %laughingly said to
Sir Clement as they strolled away
evil you take a bet as to whether
Sir Miles will come back with a col
lar round his neck on which ID
stamped the name Of his proprie-
tress?n
"He will come back as he went,
Miles Berkeley, a free man, l am
afraid" said Sir Clement.
"Then he ia a fool, for Elvira only
wants to be rushed into a 'yes'."
And Lady Marcia was right. Elvirs
was getting tired of Sir Miles, great
patience, and was wondering what
she could do, without exceeding the
limits Of maidenly reserve, in order
to make him speak the. words that
were constantly lowering on his lips.
They had wandered into a shady
dell, and there was no sign of any
habitation very near them, but in
stead Of the solitude and beauty OF
the spot inspiring Sir Miles with
eloquence and melting a passionate
outburst, he guarded an almost
morose silence. The fact was, his
heart was 80 full he dared not ven
ture to speak lest he should utter
those longing, loving words which
might perhaps Danish him forever
from Elvira's side, and he felt 60
happy as he walked there beside her
that he feared earth would have nc
greater happiness in store.
Elvira was getting impatient and a
little angry, partly with her OWL
work, partly with him for allowing
her to make him so docile.
What could she do to correct the
mistake che had made? Before she
had time to think the matter out the
question answered itself.
She caught her foot in the branch
Of a tree that was lying across the
path, and fell with a cry on tc
the ground. Almost before she had
touched it Sir Miles raised her in his
arms.
"My love, my love, my dear sweet
love-" he whispered, "are you
hurt?n
She did not struggle to get away
from him, but let him carry her to Q
messy mound that was among the
trees at some little distance off.
There he laid his precious burden
fearing that she had tainted, but to
his intense delight she looked up a
him and laughed.
"You will never want to come out
with me again il / tumble down ant
brighten you into 6ts."
"only say you are not hnrt," h,
answered, very seriously.
81 don't think l am much-.only {
little shaken. What or earth woult
you have done il I had broken my
leg. Oh, Miles, I am 30 sorry t.
have frightened YOU"
She had called him Milesl TIL,
anxiety passed from his face like
cloud, and he became radiant will
happiness.
ST you had broken your leg
should have carried you back to tn,
hotel, and devoted myself 10 20,
;.ntil you were cured, as l woulC
gladly devote myself to you for tn,
rest of my life, IL you would onl.
give me leave"
She held her hand out to him, anc
made him sit beside her on tn,
mound.
Chow obstinate and persistent 70,
arc" she said, smiling on him. "
suppose l must give in. 1t seems t,
ne that it is you, and not Clemen
~Dunraven, who has an incurabl,
mnlady."
"Say rather n malady that onl,
you can cure. With you always b,
my side I shall be impervious t,
every ill.,"
sob, Miles, you should not trus
too ~reliantly on the virtue Of
woman's love. But you have VOL
no so bravely, that if you reall,
wish to wear me with all my faults
promise you in the future they shal
be tempered TO your will"
Whist reply to such a surrender
vas there but a kiss. Half an houl
later, as the two friends who wer,
waiting for thom on the terrace a
the Hotel Victoria saw them ap,
proach, they knew, without asking
that the wedding favors might b,
ordered, and that the fashion ant
color Of the bridesmaids dresser
would be the talk for the next few
weeks.
ElConoluded in Chapter XXXYN.