The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-08-04

}SN u M ing ride. The tall
ANVVfT- ElNA white chimneys of
" MNy Milly's house were
%SsS><#y just cleaning into
----. sight above the
distant trees, and MIR. Annesley, see
ing them, had said
Let us lcngthen out the fow min
utes that remain to us, Milly-tho
evening is so finol"
The sound OF horses feet, RAPIDLY
approaching them from the point they
were seeking, caused both TO look up
IN that direction. A gentleman,
mounted upon gray horse, came
gallopiug down tho road. Perceiving
them, no slightly moderated his pace.
cit is Captain Dudley" said Milly.
eyes, said Mr.. AnnosIey, thought
fully, 81 see it is. He has been up at
the house probably"
Captain Dudley was the son of n
neighbor of Milly's father, u young,
handsome and somewhat foppish per-
son, whom Milly did not Mt all admire,
but who nevertheless admired her sin.
cerely, and who had been of late n
somewhat frequent visitor at the
house.
As the parties approached each
other, Mr.. Annesley, whom his neigh-
boris rivalry did not trouble, bowed
quietly to the young man; n piece of
courtesy which Captain Dudley re-
ceived with silent and ccrcmonious
inclination OF the head, followed by n
much lower one, marked by an air of
deferential and admiring gallantry, to
Miss Clara, while he gradually drew
his horse up almost TO dead stop.
Mllly, on her part, merely saluted
him good naturally, and kept on be-
side Mr.. Annesley; and both shortly
forgot him in their conversation with
each other.
Tho hour they had passed together
seemed hardly half that time, rs Miss
Clare's companion lifted her from her
horse, mt the door, on reaching her
home. He retained III his the hand
that he had taken, while they assembled
the broad flight of stone steps to.
gether
"Milly," he said in low voice,
"this hag not been the least delightful
OF the many happy rides we have
taken together. Will you promise me
one as peasant tom OrrOW!
His voice had tone, his eloquent,
deep blue eyes, seeking hers, glance
OF tenderness, that thrilled her heart
with delicious emotion.
'If-you care for it, Mr.. Annesley,"
fhe said, while her heart beat fast and
unanimously, and her voice, lower
than his own, slightly trembed.
III must be gone, Mrlly, now" he
said, standing beside her Mt the win
dow; 81 must be gono now. But to-
morrow"-he held out his hand-"to-
morrow l shall seek you again; md
we shall have our evening ride to-
gether"
Milly laid her hand timidly in his,
with downcast eyes, and replied:
eyes, Mr.. Annesley."
Good evening, then"
Good evening" she answered, with
T. smile
She returned to the parlor, and
sinking into n deep armchair, with tho
heavy folds of her habit still trailing
about her, lapsed into though happy
thought for n hnlf smile was on her
Ups, aud her cheek still flushed softly,
and her brown eyes wore a pleasant
light
But she reused herself presently,
mud breaking from her revcric, rose
from her seat, with n look Of remem-
hranco crossing her face, and the
smile gradually dying away, blended
with u half look of curiosity, half Of
annoyance.
THAT letter John gave me just now
Il wonder what Gun DO in itW she
tsid 90 herself
And going 10 small table beside
Gao window ut which she had lately
tool, she took up letter lying
there.
10 contained an offer OF the heart
rod hand of the very c,e2nnt and cx.
sivcly supcriuo Captain Dudley.
'llly's lip slightly curlei, with n
mingled ridiculc oul impotence.
visiting tho note hcedlessly in her
fingers, she gathered MP her hat aud
gloves that we're left lying on tho win.
COW cat, and leaving the psrior went
u5 ttairs 60 her own apartment.
With her eyes ttill fixed on tho
note, long a'tpr tho last word was
49,, Milly became lost i'm her old
eric. Gradually her hand sunk
UPON her lap the paper, uuuoticad,
r.c1rcd for, fell on tho floor The
cash of tho garden gate, opening and
psing, was tho only thing that
reused her, at least. She heard her
ilthcrs stop below beard him going
from room Co room, and finally call.
ing 'Mllv, my darling, where are
song
Rising with light, halt.happy,
regrotful SIGH, sho left her room
'n1 went down stairs 30 meet her
isihcr. The great clock in the hall
Struck @, as she passed through and