The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-05-19
A NIGHTS EXPERIEN CE.
BY JENNY WREN.

x
with me. heartily wish you would.
l do not feel at all comfortable abont
leaving you alone, even for single
night" SO said my aunt, as she stood
ready for her journey to her country
home.
My franks we're standing strapped
and packed with hers, but ] had in
sisted upon remaining until the next
day to attend to the last things neces-
ssry, and she had given consent very
reluctantly, and, even at this late mo-
ment, seemed repenting. But l
laughed as l kissed her again and
ngaip, and said:
"You forget, Aunt, Claude is 10 spend
the evening with me, so / will not
have time to feel lonely; and as for
fear, it would be sensation so novel
that think l should quite fancy an
experience. Besides, You have left
two or three of the servants, and ] do
not know that your absolute presence
would scare away any intruders." But
she shook her head with rather an un-
believing air, and the last look ! had,
as she leaned from the carrioge window
to wave her hand in adicu was one of
loving anxiety. But on my own face
was go shadow of care, as / glanced
moment with little pardoning pride
ut its reflection in the long mirror in
the drawingroom. A glad delight was
dancing in the bright blue eyes Mt
thought of the evenings anticipated
pleasure, for was not Claude coming,
and was not that name Synonymous
with all life and concentrated sweet
ness? Had not the thought of one
evening more spent with him lent
weight to the entreaty that might
remain another day under plea of use
fulness? What practical test had ]
ever given that could be useful? But
my aunt mercifully forebore to ask the
question. She remem bered, doubtless,
that once she, too, had been yonng,
and had tasted the first sweetness
which comes in the knowledge that We
love and are loved, and so let me have
my own willful way, and accepted my
preteXt with very faint smile, in
which l thought Icould detect just II
faint shade Of incredulity.
When Claude came i lsughingly
recounted to him my aunt's foolish
fears and how near, through them, we
came to losing these few precious
hours; but somehow, for the first time,
his laugh failed to echo mine, aud
when the clock upon the mantel
chimed eleven silvery strokes, aud he
rose to go, he said, very earnestly:
81 half believe, Kate, your aunt
was right, and almost wish y0u had
gone with her."
A'That is all very we'll to say now,"
I answered, "when the time has come
really to bid goodbye. If you had
let me know your wishes this
morning, I should have endeavored to
comply with them"
my selfshness forbade my giving
them room, and besides it is u mere
temporary infection. This with IA
half laugh). Your aunt, as you say,
is no very formidable protection, and,
after all, Kate (growing serious), l
leave my darling in the good Gods
hands. Only, dear, shall he very
glad when the time comes that I can
offer her husbands protecting love- u
Then kissing the cheeks into which
the scarlet blood had rushed ut his
words, he held me for one moment
with new earnestness clasping to his
heart, uttered u last good night and
left me.
''See that everything is securely
closed for the night, Ben," said ia
the old butler, whose eyes were al
ready half closed, aud then slowly
mounted the stairs Usually l few
up them us bird, hut Cluude's words
had filed me with happy thoughts, AM
it seemed as though some sweet. 200 th.
ing spirit had favored me with it,
white wings, AID must make no hur
ried movement, lest it should fly away
! entered my room, closed aud boltet
my door. and sank into Il chair befor,
my dressing bureau. My window
opened upon little balcony, and tn,
curtains trembled with the cool bre,z
which came laden with the scent o
the flowers had trained upon it.
seemed filed with delicious languor
and it required some effort to at las