Middletown transcript., 1904-03-26
[ooNINuED FROM LAST WEEK.
CHAPTER TX

Deane of Moliy's adventure, and early
next morning he walked over to the
Grange to inquire after her. As he
reached the gate of the drive he caught
o glimpse across the lawn OF white
dress disappearing among the trees. He
hesitated for a moment, and then, in
stead of going towards the house, he
followed the road for short distance
and entered the woods. Some instinct
led him towards the "Wishing Wei"
and there he found Stella sitting at the
basins edge, dipping her hands in the
clear water and watching the bright
drops trickle off. She heard his step and
had felt no surprise. The birds and the
sunshine had been telling her that she
would see him that morning. But she
did not turn round she was apparently
too absorbed in her occupation to know
that any one was near.
Anthony stood at the edge OF the trees
and watched her for few seconds. lie
told himself that his wisest course was
to 90 away unheard. 1t was only storing
up misery for himself to be near her.
Yet he could not tear himself away.
He thought that he had never seen a
prettier picture. She had taken OH her
hat, and the Pickering sunshine played
on her dark hair and the dear bewitch-
ing face.
Cousin Tony, what makes the water
90 clear? 1t is like diamonds.
She spoke without turning round. Then
she had known that he was there all
the timel He went quickly to her side.
was going to the house to ask how
Miss Mary is, he said I hope that she
is none the worse?
I think not. Molly is heroine, An
thony. You know what she did?
Yes; Mrs. Deane told me. But she
is not hurt?
Not a scratch. And 1 don't think
that she is the worse for it, though
she still looks pale. But she cannot talk
of it. Alan drove us home, and I don't
think she spoke word the whole way.
I made her 60 to bed when we got home,
whilst took charge of Catharine.
All the while she had been speaking
she had been playing with the water
without looking at Anthony. Yet her
averted glance did not chill him as it
had often done. He felt that he had
permission to stay, and sat down on
a fallen tree trunk at little distance
from her.
Does Miss Passingham know anything
about it ? he asked, after having thought
of various things to say and decided not
to say them.
Yes; the nurse told her to explain
why Molly did not sit with her as usual.
Poor Catharinel
But she is better?
Yes; she is getting better every day,
and she is recovering her speech now.
Last evening-Stella glanced at Anthony,
and then looked down at her fingers
again-she spoke to me again. Not very
much, but it was so strange. have not
told Molly yet.
Really? 1 am very glad that she is
80 much better.
She made herself speak. There was
something which she wanted to tell me.
have wondered often, when have been
sitting with her, what that terrified
panied look in her eyes meant. Poor
Catharine
There was silence which Anthony
found difficult to break, and before lie
spoke Stella went on again.
She had written a letter-she must
have done SO on the night when she
was taken ill-which she wanted Alan
to have. She got it out of her desk
and gave it to me. / had written q
letter to him myself, so 1 inclosed it
in that, and sent James to Newlyn with
them.
Something in Stella's voice, some rip
pling under current of excitement, made
Anthony feel that there was more in
her words than appeared on the sur
face. A mad hope suddenly took hold
of him.
But all he could find to say were some
nervously uttered words about his pleas
ure at hearing that Miss Passingham
was making such progress.
suppose that she and Miss Mary will
soon go to Brighton now2 he added
lamely.
Nothing is settled about that. We
shall 60 very soon, I expect.
Stella bent her head little lower over
the water as she spoke. Surely Anthony
would understand now! But he had
hardly caught her words. His eyes had
fixed themselves on her left hand, from
which she was shaking the bright water
drops.
Have you lost your ring, Stella? he
exclaimed.
Oh, no she answered composedly. /
have not worn it since yesterday.
He bent breathlessly towards her,
then checked himself. He could moi
trust himself to speak. Stella lifted up
her hand and looked at it, and then
flashed glance under her dark eyelashes
at Anthony.
You were long time in noticing that
hadn't got it on, she said. And / was
trying SO hard to- make You look at
my poor little hand.
He seized her hand, crushing it in
his grasp. His emotion frightened her,
while it thrilled her with delight.
What do You mean, Stella? Don't
play with me Why are you not wear.
ing your engagement ring?
1t was too heavy, she answered, meet.
ing his burning glance and then look.
ing quickly away. l am never going
10 wear it again. l wrote to Alan last
night.
You are not going to be married next
Thursday?
I am not going to be married next
Thursday. Perhaps l shall never be
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