The silver star., 1900-04-13

| CHAPTER I1.-(Continued)
she looked up in his face with . lit
tie smile that would have appeased a
very martinez in love.
Il am very sure that Roddy does not
care a scrap nowadays for me-" she
said demurely. adding, with sweet con-
triton, "and am not surprised. after
the way treated him. E-t l was only
a thoughtiess girl in those days, and l
know he has forgiven me"
How long ago is 1t since those
days.? queried Don, toying with a
golden strand OF her hair. Her words
had restored his reinsurance and calm.
Il try to think 1t is a long. long
time. DON" she answered gravely, "for
then never thought Of right or wrong.
or how beautiful it makes life II we
try to serve God rather than self. Oh. !"
she broke Oh. with thrill Of emotion
in her voice. sometimes I pray l may
live to be an old woman. just to try to
make up for all those wasted years"
And SO I. too. pray that you may.
/ though It were only to solace the de-
clining years of lost sinner like my
self. sweet saint" he rejoined. lightly.
And now. my darling since know
/ your heart is mine. beyond retraction.
/ can risk to tell you my news from
home today. That faithless Roddy is
about to be espoused to my sister. Di. :"
oh, ! am so glad-so glad," she ex-
/ claimed. and there was no mistaking
the genuine warmth Of her words.
wi Sn1
I write, won't you, Don? And l myself
will write to Di. Oh, Don. think Di
is one Of the noblest women in the
whole world But for her example
should never have learned to remem-
Der our lives are not our own"
Don rose from her side with a mo-
mentary flush on his cheek.
You were not always such little
Puritan, Lille" he rallied her, "or.
don't you know. pom my word.
should have been afraid to think 1t
possible you would ever look at such
reprobate as me. for-you know 1 am
not hypocrite, Lillie-rm not a good
fellow by any means, and. to tell the
truth, don't want to be one"
1t was bold thing for him to say
In the face of her guileless professions
OF faith: but love made Lille blind to
everything but the bliss of knowing
he had claimed her heart forever.
and that into his hands had been put
the wondrous power OF making his
chequered life blessed.
She rose, too, and put her hands out
TO him with sweetness that banished
all thought OF alien opinion.
Some day. Don. perhaps you will
come to know. as l do now, that this
world is not everything; and SO long
as you love me ! am content to wait
Tor l know that God will make IL plain
TO you In His own good time"
Don's arms closed around her with
more demonstrative tenderness than
he had yet shown.
MY white Lily. l am perfectly GER
tain We shall prove model Darby and
Joan. for. s.nce you will have me. what
do ! care for anything else?"
And then he kissed her again and
murmured sweet nothinss' In her ear
that brought the color fitting happily
10 her lovely cheek. Lastly he drew
from his little finger gold band. bear.
Ing diamond ivy leaf. and inscribed
insife with the single word "Bydand''
-steadfast-the Gordon badge and
motto.
Ana when he had placed II on the
third nnger OF Lilies fair hand. she
repaid him by throwing her arms about
MS neck and giving him the FIRST shy
kiss Of love.
"Oh. Don. may we be like the ,vv
and always cling close to each other
May nothing ever come between ~.
two!" she cried.
Those words Of deepest love might
mayhap have fallen more fitIy from
the mans lips than the girls; but Don
read In their sweet solemnity the hid
den meaning OF hoped-for higher
oond OF union. and he only smiled con.
siderately as he held her close ana re.
turned her kiss with liberal interest.
Il hope" he said playfuliy. "that
means you never. never would he M
cruel as to 1ilt me as you did old Rod
dy. There! forgive me. sweet. I'm
n brute to have reminded you of tho.e
days when you were such a dear Iit,Ie
coquette. Are you quite sure YOU are
| - --s'esN 70 bi'hB yOuIbeII to such
jealous beggar AZ am. Lille? For
you know I am Jealous"
DO you know why / didn't tell vol,
OF Roddy's engagement Till knew that
! had won your dear heart? Becau
! didn't want to be taken out of pitv. f"
You need never be jealous Of me
nny more. Don." she said, with sweet
earnestness.
What Of His Highness Prince Clem.
ent Sing. who your father told me sent
You lately present Of certain CASH
mere shawl. and chanipac necklace?''
he qucried. laughing.
But the question turned Lillie's
blushing face for the instant pale. I,
had suddenly reminded her Of Captain
Derwents favor Of this wouId-be suit.
or for her hand. Prince Clement Sing,
though a native Of the Punjaub, had
European blood In his veins, and had
lived from boyhood In England. and
graduated 1t one Of the English uni.