The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-24
The News Daily Story.

colorless each day. while her hopes faded
with the year.
In the winter when Martin Gore had
no heart for work, amusement, or idle
ness Elaine's hotg.died. No one could
coax her out rouse her interest or cause
her face 20 brighten. Hour after hour
she sat in her own pretty little sitting
room, staring with unsecinG eyes into
the heart OF the fire, her mind reyeling
in the brief, sweet memories OF year ago
Ire past was all that was raal TO her. for
the present was almost a blank, ana she
shrank, afraid. from all thought OF the
future-the future in which Martin
woIld have no part.
Milly sat with her almost constantly and
no one knew what her thoughts were,
or Indeed, whether size Thought at all.
But she stroked kiGinO's hand, and by
"a hundred gentle, loving ways, seemed
10 strive 10 comfort her, yet only one per-
son had the power 10 comfort Elaine now
Milly was too glad TO be surprised wnen
one day Goro Clencd the little sitting
room door and came in. Elaine rose 10
meet him, looking as II she spoke ana
moved in a dream. Had she not gone
through the same scene before, over and
over again, only awakening 10 bitter dis
appointment and the knowledge that in
her sleep her own brain hau played her
false, and trickcd her by bright
mirage?
For a moment his hand lightly touched
hers IL her manner To hiu! was calm, his
60 her seemed henrtlessly cold and formal.
He had heard that she was i'll, he OK
piained, in tone from which all trace OF
even friendly warmth was conspicuuusly
absent, ana as he was staying in tho
neigh borhoOd he had called to see her
parents and TO make inquiries after her
..calth. lie regretted that the winter had
triei her; she must DO careful OF herself
until tho warm weather came
Elaine was not wanting in pluck.
Dream or reality, she must live through
this Interview without betraying her
pain. Presently, when there was only
hilly to soc her, she might inGulgo in the
meaRcr relief that tears could Afford.
but now
"YOu have seen mother and dad.
thonY' she questioned, with n brave im-
itation of her old careless laughing man
ncr: "ani l can guess, that instead of
giving you any tea, they sent you here 60
sue for yourself thnt there is not much
wrong with their robust daughter Yes,
the cold has tried me- but We are II 20
abroad in tho springtime 10 make Inc quite
strong again"
Il also cave England s-n," he an
swcred, hie eyes on the ground, Ito make
my home In Australia"
she cast one swift little glance at him,
and shiyered because his face was 80 stern
and set.
NOitaor ore OF them thought Of
Milly- Nilly. whose calm eyes ruyCd from
ono 50 the other IN perplexity, whose brows
were Knitted Witn the usvloss endeavur To
understand why Elaiue's liUs moved so
siowl,. why ier smiles were absent still,
why tho color and tho dlInples had not
tome rack 10 her thin cheeks In "a vague
way Miily's untuturod brain had learnt
to associate Elainu's gRiety with Cores
prusoIce, and now she was strugg N ng
amiust n tangled nazo of wordlCss ideas,
ard sharing with the lovers their pain
You will like thatF hazarded Elaine.
Very much, indeed, with careful
crleity.
lie was too proud 20 take any further
atoms toward their reconciliation: no had
br oxen his word Bnd como back ~ her he
had humhled himself 80 far, and II she still
Jared r'him "a little she would surely
now show him her heart
You have not noticed Milly." Elaine
reminded him speaking laughingly bs-