The Washington times., 1901-08-25

never he ont of it We saw each other
| occasionally as we were bound to do.
being almost neighbors; and sometimes
we would meet and have no one nish TO
know of it. Though we were pledged on
our honor never to go beyond Ordinary
| civilities our eyes naturally broke tne
bond and our smiles backed them up;
and in spite of parental crueity-which
perhaps was wisdon-our lives grew more
and more as one blessed thing. and in the
midst of our woes sat Happiness ever
drawing their stings-
CHAPTER H.
So 1t went on for two years or more, TIL
CAPTAIN Thornton. son of Squire Thorn
ton. came home from India, and set his
yellow falcon eyes on the dove in the cot
by the wood He had right of entrance
| there having known Lois father, MAJOR
Varney, in the wars among the Afghan
mountains He had right of entrance; nut
knock as he would at the door OF LOIS
heart it was never opened to him. She
bolted it and barred il firmly, and called
up thoughts of me to help in Keeping
watch and ward. Poor grille! know
now all she passed through at that bitter
and unquiet time: for her mother, foolish
lady, had Joined the enemy for reasons
which her social ambition thought the
best in the world. The peace of God and
man alike were driven quite from Lois
life. and, not being made of rubber, but
of flesh and blood of the finest, she began
to whiten and fall away as though Win
! some wasting sickness.
That was why my soul rose up one day
in mighty anger; and j made the resolve
to see Mrs. Varney at the very first
chance, and respectfully reason with her.
She had just driven by in their little pony
carriage, with Lois beside her looking like
lily beside a peony. 1t was a mad reso-
| luton, and to carry it out would. knew,
be most discoufteous; but they were slow
ly killing my dear one, and L was not go
ing to stand by and see the sin of it with
out strong expostulatiun- So that very
evening, after wash and change of
! clothes made my way to Holly Cottage.
and was duly admitted. Mrs. Varney was
alone and her horid placidity. once had
opened mouth, gave way to a breeze of
anger, which quickly waxed TO a storm.
Before such my judgment could only tack;
and in that fashion l did at last manage
TO sail into her ,motherly conscience. So
much that L came away plus glass of
wine and some kindly meant advice never
/ to interfere with the affairs of other peo-
pie.
You'll be man some day and less
emotional said she at the door. Had 1t
not been for soch sure evidence of your
sincerity L had rung for Sally to show
You out
Then | remembered that in my pleading
the wet had come to my eyes, and / had
seen two peonies instead OF one. With a
lift of my hat, and in no wise ashamed q
had but shown honest feeling, and all for
Lois sake, 1 came away, and turned
through the wood to Copston-for 1 want
ed some No. cartridges, as well as a
| rousing walk.
: 1t was not a chance that, coming back
an hour later, L should meet midway
through the wood, my Lois. She had seen
me leave the cottage from the window Of
her room. and had crept out to wait there
for me. Without a word she drew me
into the thick of the trees, and without a
word she put her arms about my neck
and sweetly kissed me. What could I dc
but pay her back with interest and fondly
: draw her to me? She had much to tell
! of her daily woes. and l listened with
! boiling blood; but of comfort could give
. her very little, beyond the fact that ! had
touched the soft side of Mrs Varney
? That seemed to ease her a bit. and she
! gave me another kiss as guerdon. The
minutes flew. and the first gray of nigh,
, was creeping through the trees as we
turned hand In hand toward the cottage
At the garden gate We parted in manner
e only decorous-fcr every window was an
eye-but our exchanging looks said more
, than many words, ard We went our ways
with lighter steps for having had our
woodland meeting.
1t was Lois who saw Ruth walk out
from among the trees Just as was turn
ing by Hangmans Corner; and it was
Ruth-l grieve again to say it-who sat
: down that night and wrote to Captain
i thornton another unsigned letter Oh
the wickedness of woman once jealousy
J has poisoned all her good and tender bet
1 ter SELF! Ruth had heart big as two;
but, alas. the devil had entered into it
. and her good angel. unable to stand such
l shady company had gone weeping out
not to return for many a day
1t was on the evening following, as
was coming back from the ten-acre field
. after having a dismal look at the wet
l and blackening grass which lay waiting
there Tor warmth of sun. that l met in the
y wagon track the prosecutor of Lois. He
had chosen the meeting and owned 1t
y Then he told me why frothing the while
at the mouth, as though mad jealousy
I had given him the rabies No words OF
mine would he wait for. though they were
all ready for him. as full of scorn as his
$ of anger. With a sudden lift of his walk.
{ ing cane and before ! could raise 2
Il guarding hand, he struck me across ths
:, cheek. In another second he was lying
full length on the ground. He scrambled
n up. and made for me, stick in air
caught the stroke with bent elbow, anC
G with quick twist of the hand laid hold
i Of the cane. pulled it from his grasp, ant
promptly threw it over the hedge int,
d the turnip field AT that he seemed
? passionate man-to lose his reason For
80 getful of all science, he made wild rIsF
u al me, which. though | was his match il
height and weight, forced me to fall bacl
d a good half dozen PAGES before | could re
: turn blow; and it was one right be
L tween the eyes. which sent him down Xix,
a skittle. and to my CONSERVATION he La
y there still as one. Only while | wa:
> bending over him, with his own flask II
my hands. did | realize what / had done
& knocked down and stunned the futur,
d lord of the mannor. bat there was no tim.
It then to think much about IL. His eye
;t opened, closed, and opened again Thei
d with my help he sat up. Slowly a smil
o grew to his face. which was not an i'll
d favored one. despite the yellow eyes
/ Yours is a fist of power Haynes" sal,
It he.
:. 'i much regret to have had to use IL
II captain L answered; but yours is
d singing cane. Have another pull at this
sir; then let me help you up"
1t He emptied the flask, and declining an,
10 assistance, got on to his feet
"a