The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-03-25

express in courteous words; and
springing lightly into the sleigh by
his side, as the groom releases the
horses and they speed off as an arrow
sent from its bow, she feels only hon.
ored by his preference and his COM
panionship.
Two days later a little note is placed
in Edith Loring's hands. 1t is a polite
invitation from Mr.. Rallings to accom-.
pany him that afternoon to drive,
which she as politely and formally de-
clines. Occasionally she hears his
name mentioned in the household (;
learns that his attentions to Miss Ell
wood are growing marked; sees the
happy flush mount to her brow at
mention of his name, and wonders at
the icy Indifference with which she
hears it all. Sometimes for a moment
the old pain throbs and surges, but
she bravely fights it back and comes
forth conqueror.
In all these months she rarely meets
him. Once, as she is passing through
the hall with her little charges. she
Unexpectedly conironts him. In his
old, winning way--a manner which
she has learned so well-he asked her
once more to let him be her friend.
sat least, Edith, let me explain"
explain, Mr.. Rallings? i cannot
understand. sir, what explanation is
necessary. Allow me to assure you I
consider lone due me-"
This is all that passed between them
until n morning, when Mrs. Elwood
has given her a holiday aud she has
taken advantage of it for aquiet walk,
she hears behind her u quick tread,
and in another moment Mr.. Ratings
had accosted her.
This is n most unexpected pleas.
ure, Miss Edith. Will you allow me
to join YOU"
81 came out, Mr.. Rallings, to lie
alone, and | should prefer it,"
Edith, listen to me l must speak.
Why do you avoid me? When | left
this country for Europe l wrote you a
little note, explaining why l was called
away, leaving you my address and
begging you to write to me. No letter
reached me, and On my return ] heard
of your added misfortunes. I could
hear nothing more. When l found
you at last, so bravely earning your
W support, it gave me a new respect
for you. / know full well how little
worthy | am to ask a favor at your
hand, but at least let me try to win
back some of the friendly feeling | feel
assured you once gave me-"
THAT / will not deny, Mr.. Rallings;
nor will / deny that. for a time. |
missed my friend; but / have SO
schooled myself that that feeling has
grown into callousness. The rose,
once blighted, cannot reblossom the
heart once trampled upon bears the
cruel impress forever. have learned
at least contentment, and let me beg
that this shall be our last interview"
"Have you indeed grown 80 hard,
Edith? When | knew that you had
lost everything, and was dependent
solely upon the labor of your own
brain and hands, ! longed, darling,
oh. SO earnestly, to say to you: Come
to me. Let mt share your burden, or
Tighten it all can You have judged
me cruelty, Edith. / am not so base
as you imagine. l have enough for
both. Let me try to win back at least
a little of the old feeling, with the
hope that at q later day l may plead
with you to be my wife,"
For a moment Filth wavered. There
was n ring of truth in his words she
could but recognize. But was he not,
in thus addressing her, playing false
with Miss Elwood? How foolish for
her to listen to his idle words.
"Let the dead past bury its dead,
Mr.. Ratings" she answered Mt last.
"Too many changes have taken place
for us eve again to be the same to
each other. Words are very empty
things, and though you have learned
their fullest power, you are no longer
addressing the girl who, one short year
ago, thought all the world was true.
Can you think that l, living IN the
house with Miss Elwood, can be ignor.
ant of the attentions you have paid
her? Nay, do not attribute this to
personal feeling, for, believe me, it is
Il matter of indifference, save that your
conduct is unworthy a gentleman"
'In visiting Miss Elwood, if l have
erred, it has been through my love for
you. / have gone there hoping to see
you, yearning for the knowledge that
you were well at least, and longing to
break through the crust of icein which
you infolded yourself. I admire Miss
Elwood only as a friend, and do not
for one moment latter myself she
entertained a different feeling toward
me. This is folly, dear. Look at me
once, Edith, with your old, frank gaze,
and If my eyes speak falsehood, Danish
me forever"
at is hopeless, Mr.. Railing. I
have ceased to care for you. If l did
not know how small u matter it was to
you ] should say, Il an sorry but in
the long months when u friendly word
would have been, oh 10 welcome, only
silence met me aud il, as you say, o
manila of ica info11s ma IL in haCauea