The Louisiana populist., 1897-04-02


cret Of her heart. She nerved herself
accordingly for the meeting, and sue
cee1ed in assuming a sufficiently com
posed demeanor to greet her cousin
without betraying her agitation. He
exchanged the commonplace compli-
ments of the occasion with her, and
then took seat by Mrs. Seacourt,
who had been one of his old friends.
Mary felt the neglect; she saw he did
not love her. That night she wept
bitter tears Of anguish.
Ashton did come daily, and although
his conversation was chiefly devoted
to Mrs. Seac0urt. he seemed neither to
seek nor avoid his cousin. Now and
then ne found himself in a conversa-
ton with her, and he thought of old
times But the memory Of their last
interview came across him at such
moments like blight.
"How wonderfully Ashton has i'm
proved since his travels said Mrs.
Seacourt one morning as she and Mary
sat tete-a-tete, sewing; "and do you
know" continued she, looking archly
at her companion, that deem myself
indebted to you for his charming Wis
it's"
Mary felt the blood mounting to her
tcow, and she stopped to pick up q
stitch.
"Oh! you are always jesting, Anne;
you know it is not 80"
1--WE shall see. l prophesy that this
afternoon, when wO 50 to the exhibit
ton, he will escort you and leave Miss
Thornbury to Seacourts nephew"
Mary's heart beat 50 she could scarce
ly answer, but she managed to reply:
Don't, my dear Mv. Seacourt! don't
tease one this way! You know, in
deed you know, Ashton cares nothing
for me-" and she felt how great a re-
lief would have been q food Of tears
could she have indulged in them.
Mrs. Seacourt smiled archly and said
no more.
The afternoon came. The little COM
pany were assembled in the drawing
room. Ashton entered just as the last
moment had come, and when the la
dies were rising to go. Mary was al
most hidden in one corner, so fearful
was she of attracting the raillery of
Mrs. SeacOurt, by placing herself near
the entrance and in AshtOns way.
Her very SenSitiveness produced the
effect she wished to avoid. The gentle.
men naturally sought partners near
them, and for moment she was left
almost alone. She thought she would
have tainted when she saw her cousin
cross the room and offer to be her eS
cOrt.
They proceeded to the exhibition
For the first time for years Ashton's
arm upheld that of Mary. At first botl
were embarrassed; but each made al
effort, and they soon glided into con
versation on different subjects. Wha
relief it was to Mary that night tt
think she had been alone. as 1t were
with her cousin without being treated
with neglect.
From thar day the visits of Ashton
to Mrs. Seacourt's increased in fire.
quency, yet there was nothing marked
in his attentions to Mary. Indeed, HI
still continued to converse chiefly will
his friends wife, though he did no
openly avoid her guest. Mary grew
more and more tremblingly alive t,
his presence, and at times, when sh
would detect his eye bent on her, hal
sadly, half abstractedly, her hear
would futter wildly and deliciou
hope would momentarily shoot acros
her mind; but soon to fade as quickly
One morning Ashton entered th
drawing-room and found her alone
She was untangling a skein of silk
She arose and said, with some emba1
rassment:
"Mrs. Seacourt is upstairs; I vii
ring for her,"
"Not for the world, if she is in an
way engaged I can await her pleas
ure."
There was silence of some minutes
Mary could scarcely breathe, ant
knew not what to say. Her finger
refused to perform their duty, and tn
skein of her silk became more an
,, more entangled.
"Shall I help you?" said Ashton, al
preaching her. "My patience used t
be a proverb with you"
Mary could not trust herself to al
: swer, for her fingers were actuall
.. trembling with agitation. She fel
she could have sunk into the floor. Sh
. proffered the silk without looking III
Ashton took hold of one end while sh
retained the other. Neither spoke; br
Mary's bosom heaved tumultuousl.
while Ashton felt his heart in hi
throat.
"Maryv' he said.
, She locked half-doubtingly, half-tin
). idly, up.
, "Mary, we love each other-do "
Z not?'
There was no answer, but as b
pressed the fingers lying passively