The age-herald., 1897-08-11

but one man out of thousand would learn to love her for the loyalty that could be read in the gray eyes and the smile, very revelation of tenderness. as if her soul had looked at you.
 "Yes, mother and have settled down to our quiet round after the festivities. Mother needs rest, for you know how little she thinks of herself. Her unself- ishness puts one to shame every day"
 Mir. Lennox looked as if he know an- other unsel1sh person, and Grace con- tinued hurriedly:
 Every one thought the marriage went off so well, and tho day was cer- tainly perfect. Didn't Gertrude and Frances make lovely brides, each in her own way?"
 "So the people said, and know how they would look, but it happened that stood where could only see the brides maids.
 Twill you excuse mo putting the roses in water? They are the finest I've seen this summer, and Iwant to keep them fresh. And she escaped for the mo- ment.
 They talked of many things, but both were thinking of one only, and then it was she, in her kindness, that provoked the catastrophe
 You will come again and see moth- CT. She misses Gerty and Frances, and it is very pleasant to have a talk with old friends. '
 And you, Grace-Miss Leconte, I mean-may not como to visit you?"
 You know that am glad when you come, and always will be. You are my friend also" And she looked at him with frank, kind eyes. Viewer more than friend after all these yenrs-seven now since we first met Do you not guess what was think ing as your sisters stood beside their bridegrooms in church7" But she did not answer. Can you give me no hope, Grace? If you told me to como back in five years, would count them days for the joy of hearing you call me by my name at the end, as woman speaks to the man she loves. /"
 Perhaps I ought to have spoken years ago, but the bar is an uncertain profession, and my position was not made. It seemed to me cowardly to ask woman's love before one could offer her marriage, so I kept silent till last spring, when saw your sisters lovers, and could not help telling you that one man hoped to win your heart Now ask for your answer.
 Grace Leconte was the calmer of the two when she spoke, but her face was set like martyrs in his agony. 1T had hoped, MT. Lennox, that you would not have followed up what you said in March, but yet so selfish is woman l am not sorry to be told that am loved by such man.
 Believe me, it is I that am un- worthy. You have made too much of very ordinary woman, but am proud of your love, and in after years, when I find the strain too heavy, will often say: God has been good to me. George Lennox loved me. /"
 He was waiting anxiously, not know ing how this would end.
 You have spoken frankly to me and have laid bare your heart" she went on. "I do not see why should be hin dered by custom from telling you the truth also" And then she hesitated, but only for little. "For years--I do not know how lopg-I have loved you and have followed your career as only woman who loves could, gathering every story of your success and rejoicing in it all as if you had been mine. Wait. for I have not yet done. t' 1
 If could say Yes, Iwould, George may I call you this only today?- without any delay, but must say No instead, although it may break my heart can never be your wife. D "What do you mean?"
 Bear with me, and will tell you all. You know now it is not because I do not want to marry you. do. I will not pretend indifference. But it is not possible for me to leave my mother D
 ''Is that all?" cried Lennox as one who has cast off great dread. "I would never ask you to part from Mrs Leconte the last of her daughters. She will come with you, and we shall strive to make her life peaceful and glad"
 Please do not go on, for this can never be. No power could induce moth- CT to change her way or live with us. She will live and die alone, or must stay with her. My duty is clear, and, George. you must accept this decision as final.
 "You will let me speak to her and put our case?"
 'No, thousand times, no. She must never know our secret. It would still be the same between you and me, but mother would fret every year because I had made this sacrifice. Promise me you will say nothing. That is one favor I have to ask, and there is another-that you do not call again, for could not bear to see you for little-for some years You will do so much for me, will you not?'
 He had sat down, his head on his breast. a figure of utter dejection. when she laid her hand on his arm. Things cannot end after this fash ion. " And Lennox sprang to his feet. fl,n xx-,l fO,,