The Saint Paul globe., 1899-02-12

will come back to Rathclare. and tell me so
yourself"
Yes, yes-I promise" she said, hastily.
- could not hear it from anyone else, and
oh! Sheila, do not stay from us too long.
Remember [ am wearying for you night and
into his
But you are not going back yet, surely!
You only came over last night
am i'll at ease here; 1 only came for
looh at your dear face, and to hear from
your ups that there was no one else" he said.
And the girl was angry with herself that
she could feel no sorrow at his going
CHAPTER w.
Miss Irwin, 1 am directed by Mrs Hard
ing to personally conduct you to her, said
LORD Fanshawe, in very formal tone, stand
ing up straight, and rather stern, before the
girl VINO was sitting on arden-seat, listen
ing to a long account of cricket match,
given her by youthful soldier.
1t was the occasion of Lady Carews annual
Veneuan fete and the grounds of her charm
ing old house at Hampton were lighted up
by many colored Chinese lanterns while the
Blue Hungarian Band was discoursing sweet,
weird music, that told of love and sorrow
which could never be put into words.
what does she want me for?' asked
Sheila, surprised, while her companion sur
veyed Lord Fanshawe through an eyeglass.
do not know. She only told she
wanted you at once"
oh. surely, she cannot be going so soon,"
said Sheila, in dismay
We'll, you had better come and see" he
suggested.
And Sheila, rising, gave pretty little
gesture of farewell to the other man.
Th1s way, it is 4 short CUT said Gerald
turning into long avenue of nut trees where
lanterns cleaned like jewels among the
foliage.
sheila went on few PAGES and then
Why, it only leads to the river We are
going wrong"
mot bit of it. A little farther on there
is most comfortable seat. where we can
rest, and have a few words together" he
said, coolly.
But Aunt Agnes? You said she wanted
me-"
"All's fair in love and war. If you had not
so persistently eluded me the last two days,
should not have been driven to deceit, so
the weight of that, properly, should rest on
your SOUL" he said, and a strong tender
clasp was drawing her hand through his arm.
hacl tdnk 6rao+i,' you are are very mean Let me go
speak firmly, and greatly failing.
Let you go? Never, never, my shy, sweet
BIRD, hope" he made answer, in a voice of
such exquisite tenderness, that the girl felt
why have you kept me so at bay, Shela :?
What had done to deserve it?''
Nothing, nothing; you would not under
stand faltered sheila. feeling she could
treachery to Roderic which had made her
keep back the words she longed to hear.
Il think l could understand anything you
told me- he said; but that can wait. I
want you to tell me something else Sheila
you know what it is. don't you?
'Ah, tell me- she found herself saying,
almost involuntarily.
The lanterns seemed growing misty, the
was floating off into an enchanted kingdom.
where they were the only two in all the
world.
Il want to hear you say you love me- dear
est. L believe you do even as 1 love you, but
want to hear it. Surely, in all the world
there cannot be such sweet words Speak
them, Sheila, love-"
His arm was about her now, his lips were
close to hers, and, as in some wonderful
dream, she heard her own voice saving obe-
diently-
Il love you,'' and then his lips rested on
hers and, for a while, time did not exist for
those two.
The warm summer darkness shut them in.
the sweet, pathetic music, mingled with the
flow of the river made fitting accompani-
ment to their words.
1t was the very hour and place for love,
and whatever sorrow and disappointment the
future might hold for this man and woman
they would have had their perfect moment
There was the sound of coming footsteps,
and the charm was snapped-they were on
earth again.
ne lOOSeQ Ills clasp VI Hci, dud OuCe ulOIS
drew her hand threw his arm.
Come we will walk up and down here;
am too happy to sit still. l can hardly believe
have you at last, my will-of-the- What
dance you have led me! Tell me now why
you have been SO strange to me of 1ate?"
1T was because Of poor Roddy,'' said
Sheila, falterngly.
"Roddy? Do you mean that man who came
to you in the park?" he queried sharply.
What is he to you?"
well, you see, it was like this" said Sheila,
in an explanatory tone: I'VE have grown I'D