The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-05-19

Il
perfect happiness on Lesley Dinsmore'i
face, which not even her sudden acqui.
sition to fortune had had power te
bring there. But she kept her OWL
counsel; and the day passed somehow
and Maude returned to her home with.
out suspicion of the strange happiness
that had crept into Lesley's life. Fol
Lesley bad promised John Ardsley to
keep their secret for the present; there
were reasons, he said, why no one
should know the truth Just at that
time. "Stolen waters are sweet" and
Lesley was quite willing to keep their
secret unshared; and thus a week
passed in perfect, unalloyed happiness.
Alas! in this world of sin and sorrow
to how many Of us poor mortals is one
week of happiness vouchsafed?
| Lesley stood on the veranda one
night in the pale moon rays, white
shawl wrapped about her, and her eyes
shining like stars. Ardsley came to
her side, and laid one hand on hers.
There was no one near, and he stopped
and kissed her.
| Darling" he whispered, softly, II
am going to ask you to prove your love
and confidence In me by making sac
rifice. Lesley, could you, would you
marry me at once, in secret, and let
the matter remain secret for a certain
time, not far distant, when 1 will d.
yulge 1t to the world?"
She rested her head upon his shoul-
der, and her sweet face flushed.
II trust you," she murmured.
Then you will consent?" he cried,
eagerly.
81 will think it over, and let you
know by tomorrow" she responded
In a whisper.
Heaven bless you'll"
| And then a step upon the veranda
startled the lovers, and when Mrs.
Greyson approached, John was stand
ing aloof, one hand resting idly upon
the trellis near upon which the Guelder
roses were creeping slowly, their fra
grant heads glittering with dew; while
Lesley reclined in her easy-chair, some
distance away. But no one saw the
dark figure which crouched behind a
tree, its trunk covered with clinging
ivy, forming screen; or the white,
wrathful face, and burning eyes, which
had been watching them intently.
Lesley knew that she loved John
Ardsley with all the strength of her
young heart, which had never cared for
any man before. She trusted him, al
though she had not known him over
three months. And considering the
high recommendations in regard to his
Characterization some of the most ex-
allied dignitaries in the land-the girl
was not so much to be blamed and CEN
sured, as blindly credulous. She gave
him her answer, and, as one might pre-
dict, it was not adverse. She had made
up her mind to marry John Ardsley Sc
cretly, and at once. Why need they
wait? True, she would not come into
complete control of her fortune for
nearly two years yet, but why could
they not live on as they were, and yet
she would have some one always near
her who would have right to protect
her and care for her? She was in
tensely romantic, you will perceive.
She had never cared for any one be-
fore. John Ardsley was the only man
who had ever kissed her lips, and she
lavished upon him all the wealth Of
love in her heart. She did not ques-
ton his reason for keeping their love
a secret, or for asking her to marry
him clandestinely; she had all the
beautiful trust and confidence of youth,
which, once lost, is like the down
brushed from the pink cheek of the
ripe peach-it can never be restored,
though we barter our lives to regain
1t.
The days came and went, Maude
Bradburn fitted in and out of the
house like fairy, but Lesley felt no
longer jealous of her pretty friend.
John Ardsley loved her; he had no
soft words or tender glances for any
other woman, and Lesley was content,
and oh, so happy!
And one night, in the fair moon
light, Lesley stole forth from Chad
wicke Hall, and entering the carriage
which Ardsley had in waiting, she was
driven to distant town, and there the
solemn VOWS were plighted which
made them husband and wife.
In the pearly moonlight they drove
slowly back to the hail. too intensely
happy for words.
Mrs. Greyson, believing that Lesley
had been visiting her friend Maude,
met her in the entrance hall.
why, my dear" she cried, taking
the white hands in her own, and kiss
ing the girls soft cheeks, "how lovely,
how radiant you are! You look so hap
Ply, Lesley"
And both of them recalled these
words in the dread, dark afterward;
for it was many long day ere the
heiress Of Chadwicke Hall was happy
and care-free again.
Sitting in the pretty morning-room,
the next morning, all In white, as usu-
al, Lesley was startled as servant an
nounced Max Ruthven. She arose with
quiet dignity. He came in, white to
the very lips, and his dark eyes glinted /
maliciously as they fell upon the
young girl.
Woodworking" he began, with ILL
concealed derision, goodmorning,
Mrs. Ardsley!"
Lesley, pallid as marble, sank into
her seat again.
How had he learned her secret?
What-do-you-mean she fall
tered.
Max Ruthven's cold eyes never re-
moved their glance of triumph and ha-
tired from her white face.
"Ah!"- he sneered, insolently, you
fancied your secret unknown; but
listen to me, madam-you can never :
hide anything from Max Ruthven; SO !
don't you try it! Stop moment" he ,
continued, as Lesley arose with quiet {