Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-04-04
CHAPTER VIII.
sY CHARLOTTE N. sRAEME.


thought he would consult the duchess.
who appeared to him to be a compendium
Of all knowledge; but he soon dismissed
that idea. 1t struck him suddenly one
morning that. il Sir Basil only knew how
matters stood. he might, in all proba bility
would. ask Leah to marry him.
He determined that, as he was Leah's
guardian. uncle and adopted father, he
was the right person to give this delicate
hint.
A favorable opportunity occurred a few
days afterwarI. He overlook Sir Basil.
who was strolling on the beach alone
smoking cigar. The general reddened
all over his honest. bronzed face when
he thought of the great interests at stake.
aud how much depended on the result of
the conversation.
As delicately as possible he told the
young baronet about Leah's love for him.
IL should like to add this" he said. in
conclusion. Il should like you to remem.
ber this one thing always. What my
heart has dictated | have done for my
niece's sake; l have told you the story.
and you may act upon it as you think
best We will never resume the subject:
let it be buried between us forever. ]
have spoken for her sake. against my
own will"
Silently they grasped each Others
hands and parted.
Heaven grant that l have done the
right thingr' said the general to himself
Il believe men make a dreadful middle
of everything OF the kind: but hope fol
the best"
Sir Basils thoughts were far more tu-
multuous. He admired Leah exceeding
ly hIIf ba hal nf IN
ing her. He had felt no tendency what
ever 10 fall in love with her. She had
always seemed TO him beyond his reach.
He remembered all that the duchess had
told him of the offers of marriage she
had received; and this beautiful girl, who
might have been Duchess of Barberry.
loved him secretly!
The Duchess OF ROsedene had decided
to give a grand fancy ball, and everything
conspired to make it a success. The great
heat had passed; the sea breeze that came
through the woods was full of fragrance; ;
the moon was bright: there were flowers
everywhere, and the trees were brilliant
ly Illuminated with lamps. Tne baronet
had begged Leah to give him the frs.
waltz. and then he had asked for another
He was beginning to feel the intoxication
of being loved by a beautiful woman.
dance ended and she leaned on his arm: :
'come out into the moonlight and rest
They stood for few minutes. looking
at the fountain in the moonlight. The
marble Undine was beautiful, with its
statuesQue grace, its serene calm; but
the girl. with her passionate living beau
ty, the moonlight falling on her fair face
and on the rich folds of pale primrose,
was more beautiful still. Slowly but
surely the spell of that witching hour
came over Sir Basil.
This reminds me of the lovers night
In the Merchant Of Venice" he said.
1T is just as perfect; one can think of
nothing but flowers and love"
"A happy night" she returned, gently.
bending her face over the glistening mar
BILE.
How plainly l can see you there he
said looking at the reflection. Every
primrose can be seen distinctly in the
water. Now tell me, are you not pleased
with your costumeW
"If you are" she sighed. Her heart
was beating fast with a passion Of love
and pain. He could be so near her, he
could stand with her in that lovely spot,
and yet nothing brought his heart nearer
hers, She did not know that at that mo-
ment he cared for her more than he ever
had done; for Sir Basil. as he gazed at
the face reflected in the water, had seen
something there which had stirred his
heart-a sad. wistful look. not at all suit
ed to the beautiful face; for he knew
quite we'll what had called it there. Ii
was love for himself.
The next minute he had clasped her
hands in his, and, bending over her, whis-
pered to her the words that made the mu-
sic Of her life.
She made no answer-to have saved her
life she could not have uttered a word;
but the light on her face was answer
enough to him. The happy eyes fell: the
beautiful head. with its primrose crown
rested on the edge of the marble basin
In her heart she was thanking heaven foi
the blessing given to her.
do you love me, Leah :! he asked.
All, heaven, the love that shone IN her
eyes, that radiated from her face! A
voice of sweetest music whispered:
Il have loved you from the hrst me
ment / saw your face l pray heaven
that l may see 1t last IN this world
CHAPTER IX.
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