The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-01-27

vigor, the intonation of his deep, grave
voice, all thrilled her with sweet, new
Eubtlety. The man and the woman drew
closer together as they walked and it
was late before the lesson was ended.
That night, as Miss Merton lay in
bed, forbidden thoughts which had
been creeping timidly to her mind. for
several days past came and would not
be thrust forth again. How indignantly
had she always refused TO consider the
criticisms made by her parents on the
character of Stuart Armitage; and how
persistently had she always shut her
eyes to evidences of prevarica tions. OF
petty insincerities! How memories of
these swarmed at the portals of her
thoughts and even forced their way in.
1t was long before sleep brought relief.
AS the days went on and her son re-
manned at home every evening, Mrs.
Coway began to look grave. He and
Miss Merton were together now when
ever an opportunity afforded ard sew
eral times the girl felt the clear eyes
of her hostess fixed upon her and
flushed little despite her air of un-
consciousness.
One morning Miss Merton was out
after breakfast, on one of her bird ex-
cursions, when, looking ever the stone
wall of the orchard, she saw, standing
under one of the trees, little figure
which she recognized Instantly. 1t was
May Simpson, looking up intently as
though watching some bird.
Miss Merton saw quite distinctly the
uplifted face of the girl. 1t was great
ly changed, with The ruddy color all
gone, and the round childish eyes quite
sunken and strained. Then the little
bird she watched flew away. and, turn
ing around, Mary saw Miss Merton.
The poor little girl looked for a mo-
ment like shared animal; then her
eyes blazed hotly. and the color ,eaped
to her face She opened her mouth as
though to speak, but her lips trembled
piteously and she burst into tears.
Putting both hands over her face she
ran swiftly away.
Miss Merton turned from the stone
wall and walked slowly back to the
house, and up to her own room. There
she drew the photograph out of her
drawer and looked at it for some min
utes. For long time that face had
heen changing, but she realized that
The change was not in the photograph.
At last she laid the picture down and
then SAT, for long time, quite still by
the window, gazing out absentiy. She
knew now that Stuart Armitage was
no longer the absorbing interest of her
life.
AT tea that evening Miss Merton wore
d dress cut little low in the neck, and
was careful that the locket she wore
should be in plain sight.
what u pretty little locket!" Mrs.
Conway exclaimed, catching sight of
the trinket. And the girl was glad of
the opening, for she had her little part
oil ready to play. "Oh," she said.
laughing, and hesitating little, as
though confused, II always wear it,"
Then she snapped it open, and Richard
Conway leaned forward to see. His
face changed, but neither the girl nor
his mother looked toward him.
ll-IG iS d lIlShu vi uuiHS, MISS McT-
ton went on. She dropped her eyes to
her plate us she added: 81 have a better
picture of him upstairs, which l will
show you after tea" And so she.did
but that night, for the first time, in
months, the locket was unclasped from
her neck and laid away in its case.
"A few days after this Miss Merton
told her hostess that she could find no
excuse for lingering longer at the
farm. II am perfectly cured in every
way" she added, with an added note in
her voice. But if the older woman un-
derstood, she made no sign. 1--WE shall
miss you, DEAR" was her simple an
swer
The afternoon before the city girl
left the farm she took long walk, re-
visiting some of the green hooks and
delicious resting places which she felt
were in a measure her own. But as
she turned into one secluded wood lane
she saw it was hers no more; for there
leaning against an old, tumble-down
fence, were two figures; the mans back
was turned to the intruder, but she saw
the girls raised profile; just a glimpse
of the flushed cheek and shining eye
and smiling lip; but revealing a story
OF happiness which no words could
have told so well.