The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1898-05-13

- GI34I5 t>S:aNs - heuoo,s - 49,
It'll fsses thought of how
we'll she was pro-
crossing. She looked up at him with
a smile, saying to herself that she
must bring the whole artillery of her
smiles and grace to bear upon him.
Should you like a companion for a
short timer" she said. 81 like this
old library in the afternoon; the sun
shine slants on the wall. l often come
here, and, looking around me, med
itate on the glories of the dead and
gone Caravens. They were a noble
race; no wonder that you are proud of
them"
Il am proud of them" confessed the
earl. Il am graceless enough, but /
love the honor Of my house."
And no wonder. l was looking the
other day at some of those portraits
in the eastern gallery. They were noble
men, those ancestors of yours; some
of them have kingly faces. All, they
may talk of worth and money, but
would rather have the proud distinc-
ton Of noble birth like yours than all
the money in the worldw
would you?" he asked, dreamily.
THAT seems strange"
Il do not think so. We all value
most highly that which we have not"
she replied, simply. 1T must be an
incentive to noble and glorious life
to have such ancestors rs yours"
An expression or deeper earnestness
than shr nal yet seen came over his
face.
II am an unworthy successor to the
honor of the Caravens," he said. II
thought it would all be different when
l began life"
and why was 1t not different" ask
ed the young wife.
II cannot tell" he replied. 81 think
Incidence has been my ruin. have
never yet taken a real interest in any
thing"
That is strange" said Hildred; "but
it does not follow that you never
will"
The window at which they were sit
ting was open, and long tendrils Of
white jasmine blew in. Sometimes
they touched the earl's face, and it was
under the pretext Of removing them,
lest they should tease him, that his
young wife drew nearer to him. 1t
might have touched any mans heart
to see how she watched his face, how
she kept her eyes fixed upon it, lest
,. hn CHI
him. She drew back the long sprays
of jasmine.
The view from the window was n
beautiful one, extending over the pleas
ure grounds and the green undulating
woods. The wind that came in so
gently was laden with the breath of
flowers. Hlldred looked at her hus-
band. and then, half kneeling, she took
up her station by the side of his chair.
What it cost her to make that ad-
vance no one but herself knew. Her
face flushed. her heart beat. It SEEM
ed to her a bold step. If Lord Cara
ven felt any surprise, he was very
careful not to show it.
Your ancestors were such noble
men," she said. 81 had no ancestors,
yet l would never do a mean action.
Where do my instincts of nobility come
from? And you, Lord Caraven-you
call yourself an unworthy descendant
of these great men. Why?"
This is a troublesome question" he
replied, with a smile; land the an
swer would have but little interest for
you"
Everything that concerns you in
terests me-" she rejoined, quickly.
"Why should it not?"
81 have not been so kind to you.
Hildred," he said, that you should
feel interested in me-"
Perhaps we have both made mis-
takes" she returned. 81 think 1 can
guess what you would say. You mean
that you have done nothing great and
glorious"
at may be So" said the earl. She
looked up at him, with all her heart in
her eyes.
There is one thing to be said" she
remarked. "You may not have done
any great or brilliant deeds, but you
have never done a mean one"
II hope not" he replied.
Nor" she continued, quickly,
would you allow mean or unjust
deed to be done in your name-would
your"
NO." he answered, so decidedly that
she was filled with great content.
She ventured on further liberty,
one that touched him. She laid her
hand on his.
II knew it." she said, Il was sure