The Van Buren press., 1900-07-07
ii shel's," she said. "So--you will
lil.e her apain. now. won't you?''

u1ed q uaturai uehln. II Hes never
been very deep. Neither, fancy, had
hers for me.
'%Time will prove | said, slowly. u
doubt if She
"She does" said Maisie.
"Has she told you sop
"Yes."
frowned. "You have not told her
about the letter." She shook her
head. "Then / never will 1t is use
less your asking me to do So"
II do not ask you to. l am not
brave enough" She buried her face
Il want them to think well of me-" she
cried, piteously, "when-when-l-'
"Oh, Maisie, don't!" Tne tears were
in my eyes.
But you will be good to her? You
will make it up-won't you? You need
not tell her about me--only say that
you are sorry and want to be friends.
Then you can be engaged ag>in, and
-and-some day" Her lips quivered.
Marry her?" She nodded. But if
/ no longer care for her? If know
that | can never love her as | could
love? My dear little playfellow and
friend. am not half so fond of Lucy
as am of you
"Ah." She looked at me with big,
deep eyes. 81 am only child. There
are different kinds Of fondness, dear
Fred" The wistful affection in the
child's face touched me to the heart,
and | kissed her frail hands
"Get better, little one, and see,' ]
said, brokenly, Then we sat in silence
for long time, holding hands,
81 am getting sleepy, Fred" she
murmured kiss me-" kissed her
several times, and she went smilingly
to sleep, with her cheek against my
arm and her hand in my hand. Mrs,
Dormer came in, but / sat motionless
for an hour, till the child's grasp ie-
laxed, and / could draw myself away
without awaking her. Iul Y.
81 shall come tomorrow morning.
l whispered. Her mother nodded CON
strainedly, and | went out on tiptoe'
Lucy met me at the bottom OF the
stairs.
"I have something to tell you,' she
said, "if you will spare me minute
| bowed and followed her into the
empty dining-room. She sank into an
armchair by the fireside, and | stood
by the mantelpiece, looking down up
on her. 1t seemed strange to be so
near to her and so Indifferent to the
fact. For one thing was clear to me
that if | had ever really loved Lucy
Dormer, ] loved her no longer. We
were quite unsuited to one another,
and if | married her it would mere
ly be useless sacrifice of two lives,
II treated you badly" she said, alb
ruptly, / raised my eyebrows. After
Maisie's confession there seemed no
reason for the admission.
"There were things" | said, slowly
"that needed explanation
"Some things are beyond explana-
ton
"Perhaps they are better left So"
zone can ask forgiveness" There
was q faint note of entreaty in her
voice. fidgeted impatiently with a
little ornament on the mantel shelf,
II asked for forgiveness she would
give more.
"If one desires forgiveness" ] said,
at length. 1t sounded brutal, but it
might avoid worse things,
"Oh!" she cried, 81 do"
"You!" I said with astonishment.
"You! What have to forgive you?"
She toyed with her handkerchief.
81 thought Maisie would tell you.
The child was always fond of you"
So she knew.
"Maisie has told me- ! said grave
". "Lucy. IL is right to be frank. |
have discovered that my little play
fellow, child as she is, has the best
love that l. can ever give to anyone"
She looked at me in surprise. Then
she laughed scornfully.
81 see" she said. "Nou want an eX-
cuse. You might invent one without
taking my poor little sisters name in
vain"
at is no excuse" said, firmly. We
looked at one another for minute In
silence.
"Then," she said, 81 did not hurt
you. am glad She stamped her
foot passionately, mo, no, | am not,
| am sorry--sorry do you hear"
shrugged my shoulders.
"l'here is no more TO soy?' ! sug'
gested.
"No more to say" she echoed faint
ly. | walked TO the door. Fred" sh,
cried. abruptly. 81 must say IT, Listen
to me, II you will not forgive"
"Forgiyc?" asked "What have
90. forgive" She looked at me in np
parent bewiderment.
ado you not know that ] never tolc
my people of your explanation? That
LET all the blame rest on you?"
"My lcttcr!' cried, "My letter.
"1he letter you sent 10 M0lsie'
"She gave it TO your"
"Of course she gave 1t to me" snlt
Lucy, opening her eyes wide. "Wh,
not?" ought to have known. NJ,
brave LITTLE girl!
"Muisie told me that she never gave
| YOU the letter, Lucy; that all tn,
blame was hers" | walked TO the win
dow and looked out for time In 81
lence, broken by Lucy's sobs.
"Slss told you--thnt--ju just to screel
me-" she said, brokenly.
Yes" ] could not say more for thu
moment. Presently | walked back tC
the fire. "dod bless hcr!" said, soft
ly. "Let us say no more about 1t, Lucy
and be friends for her sake
4