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

! his COUSIN. ltpNutA islBrn0.I. lie istt4
seen Eleanor's entrance. and his heart
had given Il great bound. a. he SAW that
She WAS more beautiful tnan ever. Al
the old madness came rushing over
him. His rae never wandered from
her face. He was in Il tuInult If de
light at being 80 near her. Perhaps.
perhaps. if he brayed her coldnc>S and
almost scorn of his love. he might have
Won: he had beer too easily discour-
aged. Why had he let al this time pass
by: Why had lie not followed her:
She had cared for him: she had not
dared tn deny il. but She had laughed ~
il As a folly.
He scarcely heard the music. but sat
in a whirl Of thought until the curtain
fell at the close of the first act. The
movement of the audience aroused him.
His cousin left him TO speak to some
friends. Eleanor was laughing and
talking with the Atoms. How happy
she seemed, Presently she looked
around. and her caZe met I.aneham's.
He bowed: she returned his salute-in
Il somewhat; surprised manner. lie
~tllought-and then gave her attention
10 the stage where The curtain was
rising on the second act. Eleanor was
i'll Il rage. To think tina she should see
him, OF ali things il was the one (
upset her. What was that look in his
eyes: oh. WAS the misery Of the after
o coming back: But that look in
his eyes. How dared he. when he was
going IN marry another woman: She
wished the opera WAS over: She fei,
tired again. and the music was not as
bright as before. The soprano was
wailing over an unhappy love. How
1iresome it all was. Would the curtain
never fall?
Bnt it came 10 an end mt last. and
Hack proposed that they join the prom
cnaders. After Il few turns they came
upon l.angham and his cousin. The
latter shook hands with the Atoms,
while I.angham greeted Miss Daring
ton. Eleanor answered she scarcely
knew how. She could not NEE: his
his glance. for there was tliat look IN
his eyes again. Her Sclf-po>session
had utterly deserted her. The crush %
the promcnadcrs had utterly separated
her from fine Altons and Lancham's
cousin. Eleanor vaguely wondered
who the latter was. She and Lansiiam
We're practically alone III an angle near
the stairway.
All l:c murmured. 1--WE meet again
after all these years
Eleanor felt fainr
Il cannot. will not believe. Eleanor.
that we have met ono more only that
| should be again repulsed. Give me
some hope. There has not been an hour
all this dreary time that | have 10,
longcd for YOU"
Eleanor found il Impossible 20 utter
Il word. She could not raise her eyes.
How dared he:
You told me thar 7 would get w
what YOU called Il madness: hut | love
YOU more than ever. YUu did care q lit
tie then. Do you now"
Her Indignation now dominated ev-
cry other feeling and found voice. She
drew herself up LauShtily; Ter eyes
flashed Scorn.
"Sir. how dare You. You are about
to marry another woman. Have YOU
no honor
Here Jacks voice was heard: Oct
me present Isoyden Langham. Elea-
nor
AS the Atoms came up. Miss Daring
ton saw that the corridor was nearly
empty; the ~promenadcrs were return
Ing TO their seats.
Il have heard a good deal Of v0u.
Miss Darlington" said Royden Lang
ham. as he bowed low over her hand.
Mrs. Alton has been very impatien,
for your return 10 New York"
Eleanor looked bewildcrcd.
He is Mr.. %Langham's cousin ex-
planned Mrs. Alton.
\ sudden light burst upon Eleanor.
She glanced quickly at Royal LanSham,
he looked amused. The meaning OF
Elcanor's last words had dawncd upon
him. He turned 10 Royden: My dear
fellow. we have gotten mixed up. Miss
Darlington has just been congratulate
ing me upon your approaching mar
riaSe-then 10 Eleanor-"you see, we
are both called Roy. though my cousin
Is Royden and l Royal"
The AltonS laughed.
why. Eleanor. did you really think
il was Mr.. Langham:" asked Mrs. Al
ton.
Royden said whimsically: Don't You
think it is hard on me. Miss Daring
ton. thatmy cousin is always Mr.. Lang
ham and am only Roy: But ii is too
much that he should receive congratu-
lationS due me. II * I who am Ia
marry the sweetest girl in Fhiladel-
phia.'
Eleanor observed that he was light
and fair and much younger than nis
cousin.
w mus so 10 our seats now said
Mrs. Alton.
You will both join Ms at suppe- after
the opera" ordered Jack.
If Mrs. Ashton had II curiosity in
regard to the meeting eff Eleanor and
Langham she made no sign.
Eleanor was in Il whirl. She could
not think. She dared not. ROYAL Ian
| ham hal M fr,,ln. .,,,.,,s,.- IN,