The Newtown bee., 1897-12-03

going to peer within the lilacs with a
Toguish word on her lips, she heard
Florence utter her name with a scornful
accent. She could Beither go on nor re-
treat.
Eyes" Florence was saying, "as the
junior part'er of Huxley & Co. you have
an enviable position. 1t will give you
entrance to the city's choice society.
Your talent would win you wealth, and
a brilliant society girl, one of the inner
circle, would be of great advantage as a
wife"
You must not judge all by your own
brilliancy," Burleigh replied, with go
much affection in the tone as to almost
stop the beating of Esther's heart.
However, under the circumstances it is
better to restrict my compliments but
L must see less of you. Might it have
been if we had met sooner?"
Esther held her breath for the an
swer.
IL cannot quite shake if all duty to
Esther," Burleigh went on, without
waiting a reply.
Before another word could be sp, ken
Esther stood before them. Her queenly
air and the firmness in every line of her
face, luminous in its pallor, revealed the
depth Of emotion within.
mo" her lips trembled in a sweet
voice vibrating with anguish, while her
eyes we're full of love and despair, "you
have no duty to fulfill to Esther. She
will never clip your wings of enthusiasm.
You are free, and she threw ring at
Burleigh's feet, magnificent in her scorn.
A moment she stood, tall and fair, her
white drsperies floating about her like
a beautiful mist in the gathering gloom.
"Really-Miss Kaep-Esther-'' Flor
ence began; but Esther was gone.
'Really, this is most unfortunate y
Florence hurried on, the ccquetish
hauteur all gone from her manner. Il
never thought of this. II Esther b. d
waited for my reply to your foolish
question, it might not have happened.
1t was only a wild Irritation on nay part.
[ thought no harm in winning a little
admiration where affection was so Sc
cure" she lightly added. "You and
Esther will soon settle all this. Really,
Mr. Mannis, you could not reasonably
expect me to give up position and wealth
already won, even for brilliant expecta-
tions with all its attendant uncertainties.
| am 80 sorry. | am sure Esther will
forgive and forget, and we shall be
charming friends again" She held out
her hand with smile.
Burleigh refused the hand clasp. The
scales had fallen from his eyes. He
picked up the ring, and with formal
adieus went out in the loneliness of his
vanity.
Once be sought Esther with penitence
and explanations. His impatient ardor
had led him when the wound was still
too bleeding, the pride too bruised. He
begged forgiveness for the maynard in
which now seemed such
hollow mockery, and pleaded for her
own happiness and his need of her in
out his best self. She listened
with naughty curl of the lip.
"MY influence seems to be nothing"
she replied coldly. "You will do your
life work, and I believe you will yet do
It well out of your own strength of
character but do not trouble yourself
moment about my happiness. That
shall never hinder You.''
A few more words, half in anger, half
n grief, and they parted.
Stung to the quick of his conscience
~ Esther's faith in him still. although
her love had changed to scorn, Burleigh
sirded up his loins and entered life's
battles with a feverish resolution. which
nded in arousing genuine purpose of
oul
Esther watched from afar; and though
Ter heart ached, abe rejoieed as each