The Opelousas courier., 1900-10-27

der that roof without q conscious
shrinking.
A month later Clifford Anstruthers
still fingered at the Hall. 1t would be
hard to say why he fingered. He was
treated with cold courtesy by the cJ
lord and avoided by his brother.
But n in the great house was loyal
to him, except the servants, who would
stake their lives on the young mans
honor, and the great yellow hound,
Caesar, who would obey his slightest
word.
And Barbara? No one knew her
heart. She scarcely knew it herself.
She was half frightened at the strange
power which Clifford Anstruthers be-
gan to have over her. She fought
wildly against it; firted desperately
with this one and that one; treated the
young man with GOODNESS, sometimes
with positive rudeness, and went on
dreaming of him the more by night
and thinking Of him the more by day.
Barbara was twenty years old, and
very proud. She had great visions Of
her future magnificence; SO, when a
tiny whisper In her heart said that this
was love she rejected the idea with in
dignant scorn, and plunged the deeper
into all the gay revelry at the Hall.
And OF the night of the grand New
Year bali, Castor, carrying her away
to the conservatory, asked her to be his
wife.
Barbara had been Waiting; she was
dizzy and confused, and hardly knew
what he was saying until he fell down
on his knees before her, and raised
her hands to his lips.
"Stop!" she cried, snatching her
hands away. ""What is this you ask of
me-to be your wife?' Impossible!
Forgive me, CASTOR, If I have seemed
to encourage you, but indeed / do not
love You as I must love the man who
becomes my husband"
CASTOR Anstruthers arose to his feet
with an unpleasant glitter in his eyes.
"You are u guest, Miss Barbara"
he said; sit is not for me to give my
opinion Of your course Of action. How
ever, as I find you 80 often before my
brothers picture in the gallery, and
find t~his'-here he threw q pencil
sketch Of Clifrord's head, which he had
snatched from his breast, into her lap
land find this where 1t has dropped
from your portfolio, / conclude that
while amusing yourself by a Irritation
with me you have really been falling
in love with Clifford, who, unfortu-
nately"-oh, the sneering voice!-'is
not in a position to marry"
There was a hasty movement behind
the tall cactus to the left of them, and,
as Barbara arose, pale and trembling
with indignation, Clifford Anstruthers
stepped forth with blazing eyes and
cienched fist, as though he would strike
his brother down.
But Is CASTOR covered and paled-
with a ~deprecating gesture before his
brother, the mans passion died out
suddenly, the clenched fist loosened,
and he motioned CASTOR away.
"There-gow he said. with cold scorn.
&C.," with a curl of the lip; you have
nothing to fear"
With a last imploring look at Clifford
which was not lost upon Barbara, Gas
ton left them alone together.
Clifford possessed himself Of the
sketch-the unlucky sketch which Bar
bara was SO sure of having hidden
safely away-and was regarding it
gravely.
She made q movement to pass him, |
but he was In her way, and she was
angry with herself for flushing 10
hotly when he looked up.
He smiled at her tenderly; a smile
that brought back the old wonderful
beauty to his dark face, and Barbara's
heart leaped to her throat.
A fierce longing to believe in his in |
nocence assailed her as she stood there
before him. his gaze holding hers, |
while softened and saddened through
the dusk fragrance about them came
the strains. of music from the ball
room.
Each one was sure in that one fate.
full moment OF the others love.
With a dry sob the girl pushed him
aside with her trembling hands and
swept by him. But when she reached
the door and looked back and saw him
standing with bowed head, she re-
turned to his side and touched his arm
timidly.
Clifford" she said, II will not leave
you unless you bid me-"
II do bid you'll" he returned, lifting
his head to look steadily at her. "Gow
A slight shadow fell over her face,
but she moved away obediently, when
with a sudden movement he gathered
her in his arms, and. pushing the fair
hair from her temples, kissed her brow
and eyes. and lips. slowly and solemn
II. as one who takes an eternal fare
well.
.Good-by!' she said, TREMENDOUSLY,
when he released her.
"Good-byr!s he replied.
And he held the door open and
watched her while she passed from his
sight among the shifting figures Of the
ballroom.
A week later. after Clifford had re-
turned to France and Barbara had
gone Iome, Lady A~nstruthers brought
a long letter. which she had
written to the girl. with the request
that he would direct 1t for her.
CASTOR received II will, a silent bend
OF .-e head.
His mo..ler did no KNOW Thai their