Middletown transcript., 1904-03-12

But even such little shock as that was
bad for her l would rather have told
any number of white lies than have made
her i'll like that.
II was not your fault, dear. Do not bs
troubled, said Molly gently. She had
allowed Stella to draw her down on the
window seat, and had left her hands III
hers. They were as cold as ice and tren,.
bling a good deal, but Stella WAS too
| excited to notice that. And so You have
great deal to tell me-all that you ought
to have told me weeks ago, you naughty
child! Will not Mr.. Creighton scold sou
for leaving US in ignorance 20 long? We
know him very we'll, remember.
Yes; he told me you did, Stella an
swered quickly, enlarging little on the
truth. For Mr.. Creighton had spoken go
coldIy Of her sisters that she had imagined
that they were the merest acquaintances.
/ expect that he will scold me little.
But that does not matter much, does it 7
care great deal more for your scold-
ings, darling Molly. He is very much
surprised to find that am here. He did
not know till he reached London vester.
day. But he is glad, he says. He thought
that ought to spend little time here
before we are married. When he ar
ranged about Newlyn I believe lie in
tended that should spend the autumn
with you. He is rather a masterful per-
SON, isn't he? Even aunt Lydia was
afraid OF him. But l am not-no, not a
bit!
He spoils you, expect. said Molly,
with white lips that smiled.
Stalla reflected little, her eyes dane
ing. All the shadows which her talk
with Anthony had left behind seemed to
have fled. She was concerned about poor
Catharine; but except for that, as she
told herself, she was radiantly happy.
What girl would not be happy with a
rich and adoring lover fastening to her
side?
He likes me to have my own way. l.
that spelling? And I know that he
would give me anything l wished for.
| shall wish for great many things. He
will find out what greedy little person
am when we are married. Oh, Molly
darling, do not look so grave and shocked
But no wonder you look shocked. You
must think me unkind for not telling you
before. But wanted us to have nice
happy time to ourselves, with nothing to
hint to you that | was grown up. 1t was
just that and nothing more. Say you
forgive me, Molly.
OF course ! forgive you, dear child It
would have been better il you had told
us at first, think. We were taken by
surprise. And he is coming to Newlyn
to-day. Anthony said.
He is coming to call here this morning.
But will write and tell him to put his
visit off. He will understand when he
hears how ill Catharine is.
He won't understand! OF course lie
must come! should like to see him,
Stella. Molly wondered as she said it
how she could speak SO calmly. He will
be my brother very soon. Now I must
20 back to Catharine, dear. She drew
Stella quickly TO her and kissed her.
Send James to tell me when you would
like me to come down, she said. I shall
stay in Catharine's room till then. Keep
him to lunch, remember. You will have
great deal to say to each other.
1t was nearly luncheon time when
Alan Creighton walked up the drive.
The path over the hill would have short
ened the distance greatly for him, but he
had preferred to follow the road. He
was well-built man, with black thought
full eyes and short dark beard perfectly
trimmed. His thirty-seveu years had
not dealt lightly with him, for gray had
streaked his hair and beard, and his look
was babitually subdued, as though he
lived much within himself. He had
told himself that it was better not to be
too early, as Miss Passingham was an
invalid and lie wished to see her. He
had the pearls in his pocket. He had
put them there with smile, thinking OF
Stella's look of delight when she should
open the case. But his face had quickly
lost the smile. Anyone meeting him in
the road would have guessed that he
believed himself to be happy man.
His lips we're tightly Get, and he looked
steadily in front of him, his thick brows
drawn together in a slight frown that
might have meant perplexity or annoy
ance or anger. but certainly did not sig
nifty happiness.
On receiving Molly's second letter
I that cold heartless letter which in reality
had come from Catharine's pen-he had
sternly determined to cure himself of his
senseiess passion for woman vino did
not care fig for him, who had not even
heart enough to be sorry for the pain she
gave. He had left England, and had
plunged into a life of adventure which
had brought him the forgetfulness that
he had craved for. When he had re-
turned to England he had felt himself
altogether heart-whole, and it had been
easy to believe that the affectiona.e adj
miration which lie felt for Stella was that
second love which is proverbially wiser
than the first. 1t had been no drawback
that she was Molly's sister he had even
felt some satisfaction in the thought. 1t
would be in his power now to prove to
Molly how entirelyhe had forgotten and
forgiven.
But even that first walk was to prove
to him that he was very far from forget
ting. He had chosen the road rather
than tread that path among the heather
where lie had walked so often by Molly's
side, and when he caught sight of the
Grange his heart gave atnmultuous throb.
1t was the memory Of the past that
caused it rather than the thought Of
Stella.
III. ,.a, clad xIat pt..Ita J:1 -.