Middletown transcript., 1904-03-19
[coNTrNuED FROM LAST WEEK.

TCONTTNUED FROM LAST WEEK
Alan's behavior to Molly was grea
trouble to Stella. He was always colo
and distant with her, as if she had beeI
the merest stranger instead of the dar
ling sister of the girl whom he was goini
to marry. Yet be was interested in he
too. Stella had often caught him watch
ing her when she was moving about tin
room, and he knew her step as well a
Stella did. More than once he had beef
the first to hear her coming to them il
the garden or across the hall. But h
scarcely ever addressed her when it wa
not absolutely necessary, and when n
did speak to her it made Stella miserable
to hear him. She had hoped SO mucl
that they would be great friends. Ant
she was sure that Molly noticed hia cold
ness, for, though she talked great dea
when he was present, she was neve
quite her sweet natural self And he
talk was company talk-not bit lik'
Molly's ordinary chatter.
1t was Mr.. Creighton who was speak
ing as Stella crossed the lawn. He wa
not looking at Molly, but gazing straight
in front Of him, his swarthy face set il
rigid lines. Molly was sitting very still
looking down at her hands folded in hel
lap. But as Stella drew near to them she
bent forward and spoke quickly, eagerly
pushing her fair hair back from her fore
head in a way that she had when she
was deeply moved. Then che saw stslls
coming, and got up to meet her.
I knew that you would be here soon,
dear, she said, smile breaking over hei
pale face. I have given Mr.. Creighton
some tea. He wants to speak to you.
And I must 60 in to Catharine.
She drew Stella close to her and kissed
her, and then went swiftly across the
lawn to the house. Stella flashed round
on Alan, her gray eyes darting fire.
What is the matter with Molly? she
demanded. Have you been quarreling
with her?
Mr.. Creighton raised his heavy black
eyebrows.
Certainly not, he said. | should not
presume to quarrel with her. We have
been talking about you, little girl. But
sit down and tell me what you have been
doing. Was the tea party success?
I think 50. I came away before it was
over. There were plenty of people there
to help, Stella answered indifferently.
But what was the matter with Molly ?
How white and strange she looked I
think that must 60 in to see after her.
No-don't 60. want to speak to you,
he said. His eyes fell on the spray Of
ivy which she wore at her breast, and lie
added, smiling, You have been to the
Lovers Well.
Stella stared at him, for, though he
had spoken quite naturally, his swarthy
skin had flushed and his breath came
quickly.
How did you guess ? she asked.
Does that ivy grow anywhere else? he
questioned in reply.
His thoughts had gone back to that
golden summer evening when he and
Molly had strolled through the woods
after dinner and had found themselves
in the little dell, and he had picked some
ivy for her from the edge Of the moss
grown basin. He had been so sure then
that his love was returned? And how
she had fooled him to the top Of his bent /!
A merry laugh broke from Stella.
Fancy your remembering that, Alan +!
Yes-it is quite true; it grows nowhere
else.
He smiled kindly at her.
We must 60 and look at it, he said.
Only last night Miss Chilcot was telling
me how they had tried to grow it round
their pond, and had failed again and
again.
A gleam Of angry dislike shot into
Stella's eyes.
All, you dined there last night. Nina
b very pretty, isn't she?
Very pretty. / wonder il it is true
that she and West are about to make
! match OF it. She would be capital
wife for him.
Stella had taken the ivy from her
breast and was tearing it up into tiny
pieces.
They would be admirably suited to
each other, she said, with a little scorn-
Iul lifting Of her eyebrows. II would
be pity for Anthony to have a |
wife too clever for him. But / had
not heard that it was settled.
Village gossip, I dare say. But it
s not of other peoples marriages that
want to talk. He drew his chair close
% hers, and bent forward to take her
mall hand in his own. You saw that
your sister was little agitated just now.
We have been talking about you. She
. very fond Of you, dear.
There was some Indignation iii Stella's
ook.
Of course she is. There is no one
whom she cares for so much-not even
Catharine. And we must never be parted |
lgain for very long. You do understand
hat, don't you, Alan?
He looked away from her for a mo-
nent.
That shall be as you and your sister
orange it, he said. But listen to me
low, Stella. No-don't take away your
land-for the coldness Of his voice when
le spoke Of Molly had angered her.
Listen just moment. Doctor Scott |
kinks that your sister Catharine would
,eneft by change in week or two.
he talks of Brighton. If they 60, the
Grange will be shut up. Now, instead
# your accompanying them or going |
,ack to your aunt, how would it be
or us to be quietly married here2 Why |
hould we wait? You are young, il is
rue, but / am not. Let me have my
title wife at once, Stella. When we