Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-26
MISS HARRINGTON.

1t had rained steadily all day. and
low. at the approach of evening.
though the dOwn-pour was leSseninS,
the clouds were still black. and there
seemed not the least promise of clearing
weather.
This is intolerable." and Elsanor
threw up the window with Il force
which made Mrs. Alton start.
.Oh. you mean the ain. 1t is pro
voking-our last day here. too. How
cold that air is. | believe | was almost
asleep. / wonder what time it is"
Eleanor made no reply. but remained
gazing moodily out ut the sea. The
dashing of the waves on the beach
sounded mournfully: the water shone
Garkly in the fast-cominG night. Lights
were beginning 10 twinkle along the lit
lie harbor. Eleanor's fac Wore n
strangely pathetic expression i'll the
dim light. Her companion regarded her
c~uriously. Was she regrctting leaving
South Shore:
No moonlight sail tonight. But. of
course. Mr.. Langham Will come over 10
S.l EOtt-HN. Ob>tlNtu "a -hit'hs
tentatively. There was no reply from
the figure at the window.
ut must be almost time 10 dress for
dinner. ! will light the gas" and Mrs.
Alton moved briskly about the room.
Eleanor left the window as Il knock
was heard ut The door. followed by the
entrance of a scrvan bearing a bunch
Of fragrant red roses. and an envelope
For Miss Darlington"
Eleanor buried her face in the flow
ers an instant. and then opened the
cote and read:
South Shore. August.-My Dear Miss
Darlington: My disappointment is
very great that the weather prevents
our sail. | know that your are fond
Of dark roses. Will YOU deem these
worthy to he worn by You this evening:
! shall give myself the sad pleasure Of
q parting call. Very sincerely yours,
'ROYAL LANGHAM.'
She handed it TO Mrs. Alton, who read
II very deliberately.
Well" she paused. Il thought he
would come. but what will you do with
Linn. Eleanor"
Il think | do not understand YOU"
Il mean this: lie loves you and
means to marry you. and
Means To marry me-" interrupted
Miss Darlington. h%aughtily. Have
given him reason to suppose that | am
to be had for the asking
oh. come. don't crush me. We are
close enough friends. certainly. to dis
cuss this frankly. You must know that
Ae-well-wants 10 marry you, then.
Do You intend TO marry him.
Il have told YOU before that so far
marriage has had no part in my plans
of life"
DO You mean to say that you care
nothing for Royal Langham:'
No"
You do care for him. them"
Eleanor raised the roses to her face.
ami. looking calmly at Mrs. Alton. an
swered: Yes"
Her companion smiled. 81 thought
So. Then you will marry him, Of
course"
Il shall not marry him." She was
silent a moment. and then. throwing
The flowers Oh the table. said: Il shall
1eli il all TO Won as | have made such
an admission. oh. | care for him.
who have said that no man should in
fiuence my life, | have met other men
rs handsome. Is attractive: they did
not move me. Why is it that in the
course of ten short weeks he has be-
come the enter of all to me: But il is
81 folly. a madness. / will not submit
20 it. | will crush it out. 1t is a hu-
initiation"
Mrs. Alton was intensely surprised.
Was this the proud. selfcontaincd
Eleanor Darlington. who was making
so passionate an avowal?
She went to the window and leaned
out a minute; then, suddenly turning,
She said:
1T sounds like the confession of some
silly girl OF II. and | am Il woman of
20. Bah. What folly.v' She moved
restlessly up and down the room.
Love. 1t is an illusion-and marriage
"Oh. Eleanor. don't =" Miss Oar
rinston seized her friends hand.
Don't look at me so reprOachfulIy,
Clara. You know what my sentiments
are on this subject. i admit that Royal
Langham has made q certain impress
sion on me-. aroused II certain feeling i'm
me which people call owe. But | do not
believe in il: il wont last. 1t has been
born of the charm of the sea. the de-
Iicious ar, the witchery of the moon
light nights. all the beautiful things
we have cnjoyed SO well, but once i
am away from all these and fiom him
il will pass away She laughed scorn-
fully. 1T must pass. Marry? My free
don is too precious"
She careleSsly took up the roses. and
said in her ordinary tones: How fine
these are! Let us dress for dinner
hen she left the room, carrying the
flowers with her.
When she appeared at dinner she
was as self-pOssessed as usual, and ra-
dainty lovely in a white gown of some