The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-10

toned plano was soon answering to the
touch of Juliet, who was really superior
artist. The husband was not sparing of his
compliments, but Ernest made no COM
ments except to thank her for one piece he
mad called for Before she slept that night
Juliet wrote long letter 10 her mother
telling her of Elias happy home, adding:
at is lonely, | am sure I could never
live here. But don't believe Ella minds 1t
a bit She and Richard are as happy as
two kittens. I shall not stay long"
All this amused Mrs Radcliffe immense
~, for she had been reared in the country,
and had no fears for her practical Ella
when she consigned her to the keeping of
Richard Gordon.
But weeks passed away, and Juliet still
fingered In her sisters beautiful home. She
ceased to be afraid of cows, and lambs and
chickens were becoming pets with her. She
and ner sister often went on long rambes,
the brother sometimes accompanying them.
But with Juliet he was always a little re-
served and sometimes little abrupt He
never sought her society. and If they
Glanced to be left alone he was eoldy po-
lite. And yet there were times when she
was conversing with his brother, in her
own charming manner, that she would look
up and find his great earnest eyes fixed
upon her and her heart would thrill like
a flower with a humming-bird in its bos-
en-. And then, with one of his abrupt
movements, Ernest would turn away,
chipping to the canary or pulling Bounce's
ears
But a message came to Juliet recalling
her home.
"Oh!' said she regretfully to her brother
fn-law, az shall be an old maid, and come
and live with you, cats, parrots and ALL
WHAT farm, Juliet where you
would be buried alive?"
Don't, sister, pease. I am ashamed of
all those silly speeches. Your home is
perfect paradise, and I could stay here with
YOU, Ella, forever and not be lonely. And
then did not know of the pleasant friends
you have all around you"
Ernest seemed to be reading, but the leaf
he was turning trembled his fingers
strangely.
Juliet was to leave the next morning, and
toward evening she went out to see her pets
once more. She spent some time talking to
them. and she turned TO go, she found
herself face to face with Ernest Gordon.
1t was the first time he had ever sought
her, and she stood embarrassed and con-
fused. pardon me-" he said gently, 'if
intrude; but 1t Is growing cool. Here Is
your cape. Will you permit me?' And he
laid the cape caressngly about her Shout
6ers. Why did Juliet feel weak and faint
for an instant, as those hands fingered
about the duty they were performing? She
took his proffered arm, and instead of re-
tr-ning to the house, she allowed him to
lead her to a garden chair near the con-
servatory.
Neither spoke for several minutes. Fin
ally breaking the silence, Ernest Gordon
said: And you leave us tomorrow, Miss
Radcliffe? Do you regret It just little.
or were you testing when you said you
could stay here for Elias sakeg'
She did not answer.
MAY 1 sit beside you while I tell you a
story?" he asked.
She made room for him by her side, and
he began: 81 am a farmer by birth and
education. This farm belonged to my IA
Their and his father before him. When our
father died it was left to- Richard and me
with an Injunction shat it should not pass
from our hands while we lived. And 1t is
no restriction, for we both love the place.
When Richard brought his city wife home
I expected to hear complaints and repln-
ings: but, bless her, she has made us all so
happy! She told us of your perfect horror
of the country, and when you came you
ocrroborated her testimony. But L loved
you, Juliet, from the moment l saw you,
and have been Juggling at the chain fhat
held me ever since you came. And today
when you said what you did ] was tempted
t, this act. VIII you comeefor my sake
for my love, Juliet? Be my own sweet wife.
and be loved as woman was never loved
before?'
For an instant nothing was heard but
the occasional falling Of a leaf from the
trees; and then a little hand was laid softly
in his, and she answered in words so low
that no one but a lover could have been
sure of them, 81 will come for your sake!'
As they stood in the hall Juliet whispered,
Don't tell Ella and Richard now, for they
will tease met
"My pay, then!" and he stopped for the
first kiss from the lips of his betrotaed.
Ernest followed Juliet home, where he
had no difficulty in obtaining the consent
of the parents to the union; and the coming
spring saw Juliet a loving wife in a dwell
ing that had sprung up as If by magic
nearly opposite the one occupied by her
sister.