The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-07-11
Hut Alyne turned awsy-she va


he continued; "he seemed upset about
something or other. I could not per-
suade him to stay an hour longer"
A bitter laugh fell from Alyne's lips.
HAS he gone to shoot big game"
she cried, harshly. II hope he will
have good sport" and then she nodded
her head by way of adieu and hurried
away home.
But, alas, her heart was breaking
breaking. Why had she not run after
him that day in the drive? A little
word, a whisper, would have made IL
nll right. But now it was too late,
and he had broken with her irrevoca-
bly,.
II was two years later. Lady Mai
shall was sitting in her drawing-room
in Mayfair, talking seriously to her
niece.
"Sir Neil Chester would be IN ex.
cellent match, Maud. l am delighted
he is coming to stay for few days"
she said. II do hope you will make
the best OF your opportunities"
Maud smiled rather too confidently.
From my previous experiences I
don't think my task will be very dif-
ficult," she answered, taking a fur
tive look at her fair face in the glass.
perhaps not, if prettiness were the
only matter in question. But your
admirers have been only boys 20 far.
Sir Neil is quite 80 years, and has trav-
eled a great deal; indeed, it is only a
few months since he came home from
Africa. And a man does not only re-
quire his wife to be pretty-it is much
more important to him il she is
smart and charming; and you know"
looking anxiously at her neice "you
do require good deal of dressing.
You look twice as well when your
hair is properly done, and Elsie does
not understand the shape OF your
head. You never look so nice as when
that girl from Lascelle's in Bond
street has dressed your hair. I really
think that I shall have her round here
every morning during Sir Neil's visit"
And as Maud was delighted with
this idea she wrote OF at once.
Sir Neil arrived about tea time, and
Maud carried out her purpose and
made the most Of her opportunities.
Chester had altered q great deal dur
ing these two years, for he was very
bronzed and his hair was growing
gray. There was also stern express
sion on his face when in repose, and
his features rarely relapsed into q
smile. He wondered vaguely what had
become Of Alyne. OF course, she was
married-had probably married that
brute, Osbert Bowden. And his face
would darken at the thought.
He mounted the stairs in Lady Mar.
shalrs house . little wearily ON his
way up to dress for dinner-he was
not looking forward 70 his few days
visit.
, His thoughts were 20 A.r away that
he did no% notice girlish figure com
ing down until she was quite close
to him.
He stood aside at once 70 let her
pass, and . cursory glance assuring
him that shs was pretty, he looked
again, and his breath came quickly.
"Afyne," he cried n hoarse voice.
"Alyne!"
The girl shivered Attle, and for a
moment her large violet eyes met his
full.
II did not think you would recog-
nize me-" she said, hah nervously.
Not recognize yon?" no repeated,
while his eyes devoured her face-that
same face that had hauated him SO
long-paler, indeed, and thinner, but
still, thank God, the same.
"Are you staying herer he cried,
eagerly.
A faint smile curved hs0 hps-
mo! Oh, moi" she answered. ~
have only come to dress Miss Mar
shall's hair. am hairdresser now,
you know, with Lsscelle's in Bond
street"
'"Ysu!" he cried. "You q hairdren.
er.. You--the daughter of the squire
Of Bandford7 You are joking"
Her face was grave enough now.
1T is NO Joking matter TO me-" she
said sadly. my father has been dead
more than . year." and she turned
away to hide the tears nat would
come to heR eyes.
"Butbut-" he Gied-"he WA
rich"
Alyne Interrupted him - putting
up q warning hand, for tho sound Of
an opening door upstsirs fell on he,
ears.
II must Co." she ssad, knrriediy;
"and pleasS-please do not Ay tha,
! you have-heve met me before. They
know nothing about me, and perhaps
il would prevent my coming hers
again." and without word of fare
well, she hurried down the stairs
"Aiy4e!s - cried. "AlyDe!"
But she had disappeared, snd with &
groan Of disappointment he ascendet
the staircase.
He was hte 1oy dinner that night
He va longing 70 ssk about Alyne
but his tongue was tied. He couh
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