Gilpin observer., 1899-01-05

| ly meant to make sport of my affec-
tions or of any other mans. But,
lacking this knowledge, l must con-
fess that glance and that appeal in the
circumstances would have savored to
me of coquetry-of a spirited and dan
gerous kind Poor child how little
l understood her-how coarse and
merciless had been my judgment!
I've never done her any harm that
l know of, I'm sure; and people don't
as a rule find it so very hard to like
me, Paul" she added, with childish
wistful sigh.
They don't, heaven knows they
don't" I muttered, moving hastily
away.
"Good-by. Paul--good- brother.
may call you that?" she whispered,
laying her hand on my arm, OBTAINING
me. "Oh, if you had not gone away
If you had not left me-left me-"
Hush, hush"' l broke in thickly,
covering her hot hand with kisses.
We've must not think Of these
things now. Edie."
Half way across the lawn l met my
wife strolling languidly towards me.
Where have you been?" she asked,
with slight frown. Il have been
looking for you verywhere-round by
the paddock, stables. garden
Not around by the cedar walk my
love"
"Oh, you were there?"
Yes; smoking a couple of cigars
for the last hour or so since left the
drawing-room."
Then you must have met Miss Stop
ford going home; she left me nearly
an hour ago"
Miss Stopford-Edie? Let me
see. Yes. of course l met her! What
a lovely evening it is! Suppose we
take a turn by the river before din
ner?" l suggested hastily; and, she as
senting, we turned towards the wood
that bordered my property south and
west, watered by the briskest. clearest
trout stream in Yorkshire, fringeI
with fern, forget-me-not and moss
covered boulders, against which the
water fretted musically, and break
ing into bubbling cascades drowning
the voice of wood pigeon, blackbird,
Tile udLei
thicket through which Helen was du-
tifully breaking a way for me.
What a hurry it is in this even
ing-worse than ever!" she remarked,
when We stood arm in arm by the wa
ter. You stupid, stupid little stream
to be in such fume to reach that foul,
smoky town! Don't you feel you're
well off, hemmed in by these fragrant
banks. serenaded by thrush and black
bird, bedded with sparkling pebbles" ?"
About mile further down the lit
tie Col, swelled by some tributary
streams of baser origin, lost its crys-
tai identity and, after being merciless-
ly scourged and threshed by the
spokes of mighty machinery, passed
through the manufacturing town of
Shorten and, flowing eastward in a
porter-colored flood, emptied itself in
to the German ocean.
Yes" l assented, languidly throw
ing myself upon the grass and lighting
cigar. 1T does seem in confounded
hurry; look, Nell, at that beech leaf,
what rate it's travelling at, by Jove!
Il wonder II it will reach the sea
tonight-heigho.' unused Helen, who
never could look at the fairest streak
Of fresh water without longing for
salt
Reach the sea tonight-that leaf!
You silly girl, Nell. would you like
to hear a story?"
"Yes, If it's pretty one"
TITS all in minor key. like most
true tales. Sit down beside me and
I'll begin. Once upon a time there
lived up in that red house where you
and I, trust, my dear. will grow gray
together. a young lady named Cecily
Dennys."
"Oh, it's family legend?"
"Yes; Miss Cecily was my great
grandaunt, and a famous beauty in
her time. / have miniature Of her
She had a score or SO Of lovers and
suitors of all ages and degrees, among
them some Of the most eligible bach
elors in the county. The eldest son
Of the duke. a most gallant and pol
ished gentleman, proposed to her: but
she would have no one but young Ron
aid Hernshaw of the Grange below
that stone house among the trees,
whe/e We called the other day-a man
whom her parents and friends most
sensibly disapproved Of for young
Ronald had an evil reputation, and
lad squandered a large slice of the
property after he came of age.