Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-03-09
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CHAPTER XIII.

ed that the young duchess intended to for
bid all acquaintance with her fair pro-
tepe. he resolved to see her and to make
her like him.
The day following he went again to the
mansion; the duchess was at home, and
wished TO see him. but at that moment
she was engaged.
He went into the morning room and
through the long, open French window;
there were the lovely roses in bloom, and
there-oh. kind, blessed fate!-there was
his beautiful Madaline, seated in the
pretty trellised arbor, busily working
some fine point lace, looking herself like
the fairest flower that ever bloomed. The
-oung girl looked up at him with a star
tied glance-shy, sweet, hesitating-and
then he went up to her.
"Do not let me disturb you he said.
THE duchess is engaged, and always
gives me permission to wait for her here"
She bowed, and he fancied that. her
white fingers trenbled.
May | introduce myself to you?" he
continued. Il am Lord Arleigh.''
\ beautiful blush, exquisite as the hue
Of the fairest rose. spread over her face.
She looked at him with smile
Lord Arleigh," she repeated-"I know
the name very we'll"
You know my name very well-how is
that" he asked. in surprise.
1T is a household word here" she said.
Il hear it at least hundred times day."
We mu. be friends" said Lord Ar
leigh, for |. too, love the duchess She
has been like a sister TO me ever since
] can renkember;' and he drew nearer to
the beautiful girl as he SPOKE. ''WiH you
includefme among your friends he con
tiRIe-H This is not the first time that
| have seen you. | stood watching you
Yesterday; you were among the roses, and
| was IN the morning room. | thought
Glen, and l have thought ever since. that
] would give anything to be included
among your friends"
"A friend of mine, my lord?" she ex-
claimed. How can [? Surely you know
I am not of your rank-I am not one OF
the class from which you select your
friends. l do not think you quite under
stand"
YES, l do" he declared, eagerly: 81
asked the duchess yesterday who you
were, and she told me your whole story"
1t was impossible for him not TO see
how she shrank with unuttera bic pain
from the words. The point lace fell on
the grass at her feet-she covered her face
with her hands.
Ibid she? oh. Lord Arleigh, it was
cruel to tell it,
1T was not cruel to tell me-" he re-
turned. she would not tell any one else.
| am quite sure. But she saw that | was
really anxious-that l must know it-that
il was not from curiosity l asked"
Not from curiOsity"' she repeated, still
hiding her burning face with her hands.
NO, it was from different motive"
And then he paused abruptly. What was
he going to say? How far had he already
left all conventionality behind? He stop
PED Just in time, and then continued,
gravely: THE Duchess of Hazelwood and
myself are such true and tried friends
that we never think of keeping any So
crets from each other. We have been. -
/ told you before, brother and sister all
our lives-it was only natural thar she
should tell me about you
And, having heard my story, you ask
me to be one of your friends she said.
slowly. There were pain and pathOs in
her voice as she spoke.
Yes" he replied, Having ',eard it al,
1 desire nothing on earth so much rs TO
win your friendship"
My mother| she murmured.
"Yes-your mothers unfortunate mar
riage, and all that came of it. | can re-
peat the story
'Oh, nor' she interrupted. 81 do not
wish to hear it. You know it, and you
will still be my friend?''
Answer me one question: he said Gel L
~. rs this sad story the result Of any
fault of yours? Are you in any way to
blame for it,"
No; not in the least. Still. Lcrd Ar
leigh, although l do not share the fault,
] share the disgrace-nOthing can avert
that from me-"
Nothing of the kind" he opposed;
disgrace and yourself as as incompati-
bic as pitch and doves wing"
But" she continued, wonderingly, do
you quite understand?'
Yes, the duchess told me the whole
story. l understand it, and am truly
grieved for you; know the dukes share
in it and ALL"
He saw her face grow pale even TO the
lips.
And yet you would be my friend
you whom people call proud-you whose
name is history! l cannot believe it, Lord
Arleigh."
There was a wistful look in her eyes,
as though she would fain believe that il
were true, yet that she was compelled to
plead even against herself.
I'VE cannot account for likes or dis
likes" he said; Il always look upon them
as natures guidance as to whom we
should love, and whom we should avoid
The moment l saw you liked You.
went home, and thought about you all day
long"
Did you?" she asked, wonderingly.
How very strange"
''It does not seem strange to me-" he
observed. Before l had looked at you
three minutes l felt as though | had
known you all my life. How long have
we been talking here? Ten minutes, per
haps-yet l feel as though already there
is something that has cut US off from the
rest of the world, and left US alone to
gether. There is no accounting for such
strange feelings these. Do you under
vtand me|
IL am frightened, Lord Arleigh."
NAY, why should you fear? What i:
there to fear? 1t is true. The momen
l saw you sitting here l knew that yoI
were my ideal, found at last. Will yot
pluck one of those roses for me and give i
to me, saying L promise to be you
friend?'"
You make me do things against m,
wiII," she said; but she plucked a rose
and held it toward him in her hand