The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1898-02-11


side, and turning, beheld the handsome
face of Max Ruthven. He held out his
hand.
May we not be friends, Miss Dins-
more?" he queried, in his low. even.
musical voice.
Lesley blushed as she laid her hand
in his.
1--WE are almost relatives" he con-
tinued, "and shall probably see great
deal of each other"
There was soft, persuasive tone to
his voice, and his handsome eyes were
bent upon the girls dropping face. A
slight exclamation made him start
guiltily. Lurline stood near him, pal
lid as a spector. in her clinging black
robe
Leave us, Maxi" she said, impera-
lively. Il wish to speak to Miss Dins-
more alone"
He obeyed her, leaving the room at
once.
Lurline darted forward then, and
caught Lesley's white wrist with a grip
Of iron; one would not believe that
the white fingers could be so strong.
Listen to me-" she painted breath
lessly, her great dark eyes fixed basil
lisk-like, upon Lesley's pallid face.
You have usurped my rights! You
are an interloper here, and not salts
fed with that, you-you would win
Max Ruthven's heart, l suppose! Be-
ware, young woman. you may go
step too far! hate you! hate you!"
She ground the words out between
her white clinched teeth.
$50 help me, Heaven, will be even
with you for all that you have done;
for daring to come between me and
happiness!"
She caught her breath convulsively;
but Lesley wrenched her wrist from
the woman's grasp, and turning with
quiet scorn, walked Indignantly from
the room.
Lurline Chadwick clutched her jew
eled hands madly together.
"Oh. misery! misery" she groaned,
in bitter agony; Il have sinned in
vain! what have l done? What have
l done ?-and-all-for naught!"
Up and down the long room she
paced like mad creature. Hour after
hour passed; night threw it's sable cur
tain over all things, and the silvsry
moon arose; still she never wearied in
her nervous pacing to and fro.
Meantime, in the handsome chamber
assigned her, Lesley slept the sleep of
the innocent. And in her dreams, pur-
suing her like phantom, face haunt
ed her-the face OF a man, and one
that she never beheld in her waking
moments.
A noble, handsome face; clear-cut
and refined features, with blue eyes
and gold-6rowr hair, and heavy slken
mustache shading the naughty upper
lip. His eyes, deep and wondrously
beautiful, were fixed upon her face
with a sad look, whose meaning she
could not fathom. A wild thrill shot
through her heart, and shuddering VIC
lently, she awoke.
The moonlight, pearly and perfect,
was flooding the large room with sill
very radiance, making all things as
bright as day. With strange nerv-
business Lesley arose, and donning
blue cashmere wrapper, sat down at
the window. With her pale, statu-
esque face, and her long gold hair all
afloat, she looked like spirit, as she
leaned her head against the azure
cushions Of her chair, and gazed list
lessly from the window.
Suddenly she started, with strange
thrill at her heart. Had her vision
come to pass?
For there. below her open window,
leaning against a huge acacia tree,
stood the graceful figure Of man, his
face uplifted in the radiant moonlight,
his glance fixed upon her easement;
and as the moons rays glinted upon
the handsome, clear-cut features,
bringing them out in bold relief like a
cameo, Lesley saw that it was the very
face Of her dream.