Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1897-09-09

night 30 salu my
aunt, as she stood ready for her jour
ney to her country home.
Nv trunks were standing strapped
and packed with hers, but had insisted
upon remaining until the next day &c
attend to the last things necessary. and
she had given consent very reluctantly
and. even at this late moment, seemed
rcpenting. But l laughed as kissed her
again and again. and said:
You forget, aunt, Claude is to spend
the evening with me, so | will not havs
time to feel lonely; and, as for fear, il
would be a sensation so novel that
think would quite fancy an experience
Besides. you have left two or three OF
the servants, and | do not know that
your absolute presence would scare
away any intruders." But she SHOOK
her head with rather an unbelieying air,
and the last look | had. as she leaned
from the carriage window to wave her
land in adieu, was one OF loving anxiety
But on my own face was no shadow OF
care, as | glanced for a moment with a
little pardonable pride at its reflection
in the long mirror in the drawing-roona
A glad delight was dancing in the
bright blue eyes at thought of the even.
iug's anticipated pleasure, for was NOT
Claude coming, and was not that name
Synonymous with all life and concen'
trated sweetness? Had not the thought
of one evening more spent with him
lent weight to the entreaty that might
remain another day under plea of use.
fulness? What practical test had ever
given that | could be useful?
When Claude came | laughingly re.
counted to him my aunt's foolish fears
and how near, through them, we came
to losing these few precious hours; but
somehow, for the first time, his laugh
failed TO echo mine. and when the clock
upon the mantel chimed eleven silvery
strokes, and he rose to go, he said. very
earnestly:
Il half believe, Kate, your aunt was
right, and almost wish you had gone
with her"
THAT is all very well to say now" |
answered. when the time has come
really to bid good-by. If you had lei
me know your wishes this morning,
should have endeavored to comply
with them"
"My selfshness forbade my giving
them room, and, besides, it is mere
temporary infection. (This with a hall
lsugh). Your aunt, as you say. is nc
formidable protection, and, after ALL
Kate (growing serious), leave my dar.
ling in the good Gods hands. Only,
dear, shall be very glad when the time
comes that | can offer her a husbands
protecting love"
Then kissing the cheeks into which
the scarlet blood had rushed at his
words. he held me for one moment with
a new earnestness clasped to his heart
uttered last goodnight and left me.
See that everything is securely
closed for the night, Ben" said to the
old butler, whose eyes were already
half closed, and then slowly mounted |
the stairs. Usually | flew up them as
bird, but Claude's words had filled me
with happy thoughts and it seemed a:
though some sweet. soothing spirit had |
favored me with its white wings. and |
must make no hurried movement, lest |
it should fly away. | entered my room |
closed and bolted my door, and sank |
into chair before my dressing bureau. |
My windows opened upon a little bal
oony, and the curtains trembled with |
the cool breeze which came laden with |
the scent of the flowers | had trained |
upon it. seemed filled with a delicious |
languor, and it required some effort to
al last rouse myself to the task of pre-
pairing for bed. With lingering touch |
/ unclasped the jewels from my ears.
They were family heirlooms of great
value my aunt had given me on my |
eighteenth birthday. Their light
seemed almost to dazzle me. as placed
them in my jewel case, then glanced al
my betrothal ring. which caught and
held the light reflected from theil
depths. Then one by one l took the
pins from my haIr and let IL fall a soft.
shimmering mass upon my shoulders.
How Claude had admired it when one
day on horseback it had escaped its
thralldom. Would he love me the same
when its gold had turned to gray and
wrinkles had taken place of dimples:
And. peering into the glass. ] strove TO
fancy the change. and add in magma
lion. two score and ten to my age. when,
great Heaven! was that face white and
blanched. eyes wild with terror. mouth
half apart, with lips from which every
trace of color had fed. the same which,
moment before, had pictured unsul-
lied happiness? Wha had brought the
change? Only a man bare foot pro-
jecting from under nay bed and casting
its own hideous reflection in the glass.
1t was black and broad-the foot of a
negro. ! watched it as a cat might
watch a mouse, snake. bird, with
fascination which seemed 10 enchain
and enthrall me. strove to scream
aloud. but the effort. mercifully. was
vain one. My mouth, dry and parched.
could utter no sound. NV breath came
hard and quick. MY heart beat so loud
ly that thought that he must hear it.
"Ah. if Claude were but herei" And with | ,