The Yale expositor., 1896-09-25

prospect of the excursion, that Edward
made a pretext, before going out, 10
call her into the adjoining sitting
room. "How have forfeited my place
in your good graces?" he began IN
playfulness, that was lost In earnest
ness before he finished his speech. L
have tried to persuade myself that your
cold avoidance OF me for weeks past,
and your rejsct' on of my services when-
ever 1t is possible for you to dispense
with them, was, in part, an unfounded
fancy of my own, and partly the re-
suit of your absorption in the dear
duty that has demanded your time
and thoughts. l have begun lately 10
have other fears-dreads lest l had I'M
willingly wounded or displeased you.
DO me the justice to believe that, II
this be so, the offense was unconscl-
GUS"
"You have offered none-none what
ever! interposed Constance, with cold
emphasis. IT am sorry my manner has
given rise to such apprehensions.
That is not spoken like the frank
sister of a month ago." said Edward,
retaining the hand she would have
withdrawn. 81 will not release you
until you tell me what is the shadow
upon the affection that was to me more
dear than any other friendship, and
which l dared hope was much to you.
Be, for one instant, yourself, and tell
me all.
| She was very pale, but, in despera-
| ton, she tried to laugh. You must
not call me to account for my looks
and actions nowadays, Edward. l think
sometimes that l am not quite sane.
have gone through much suffering;
been the prey of imaginings that al
most deprived me of reason, besides
enduring the real and present trial.
And heaven knows how unready was
! for it all!'
| Zone word, my dear girl, and my In
uuisition is over. Assure me honestly
and without fear of wounding me, have
you ever. in your most secret thought,
blamed me for the casualty which so
nearly widowed you? did try, as you
can bear me witness, to dissuade him
whom we both love from the expert
ment that cost him so dear. The idea
that you may have doubted this has
panied me inexpressibly."
Dismiss the suspicion at once and
forever Constance looked steadily
into his face and spoke calmly. THE
thought has never entered my mind.
I blame no one for my trouble-except-
ing myself"
| H. dixvin
Edward had put his arm over her
shoulder and pressed his lips to hers.
LET bygones be bygones" he said,
brightly and fondly. I'VE have too
much to live and to hope for to waste
time in nursing unhealthy surmises
and fears"
OH The sharp little intersection
came from the threshold of the door
leading into the hall, where Miss Field
was dicovered in fine attitude of bash
full apology, family favored with prud-
ish CONSERVATION. II did not dream
YOU were here. l was on my way 20
nv cousins roomw she continued, in
prodigious flutter of ringlets and
shoulders. 81 beg a million pardons,
l am sure"
You need not beg oner said the
undaunted Edward, without releasing
Constance. Connie and l have been
settling a trivial misunderstanding in
good boy-and-girl style-have just
kissed and made up and we now mean
to be better friends than ever"
HE, he! you are excessively candid,
to be surer' Uttered Harriet But
shaking her black curls-"Mrs. With
ers knows men and human nature too
well to believe quite all you say. We
must not forget, my dear madam,
that men were deceivers ever"
You speak feelingly." said Edward,
careIessly, following Constance with his
eye, as she moved silently toward her
husbands chamber. 81 shall caution
the lady of my love-should the gods
ever bestow one upon me-not to- sip of
the bitter waters of your wisdom"
Had he seen the glitter Of the round,
black orbs that pursued his retiring
figure, he might have made a more
thoughtful exit, his run down the stairs
been less swift, the air he hummed, as
he went, less gay.
/ He had a pleasant drive; Constance
an hour of mingled sweet and bitter
ness. 1t was difficult to bear her part
In the apparent renewal Of the familiar
intercourse of other days, without re-
Taxing the severe guard she had set
upon herself from the moment she dis
covered the true nature OF the senti-
ment she entertained for her husbands
brother. She could not help delight
ing in his society, in the manifold
proofs of loving concern for her COM
fort and happiness of which she was the
recipient. Yet, underlying this secret
and feeting joy, was the ever-present
shame that marked her remembrance
of her guilty weakness and the despair
ing knowledge that remorse. duty and
resolve had thus far avalled nothing
to conquer IT,
She looked jaded rather than refresh
ed upon her return, although she had
curtailed the ride in opposition to Ed
wards advice. Wild, rebeliious
thoughts fought for mastery within her
81