Middletown transcript., 1904-03-26
The Youngest Miss Passingham
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 7<S<S<9<.<9<1<S<S<S<s
Then it was that

Then it was that
Not was not, said Stella quickly.
had written to him before / went into
Catharine's room.
He was looking tenderly down at the
little hand where the red marks OF his
| fingers plainly showed. Then he kissed
it gently, reverently.
What am I to do Will, all my pres.
ents? she said. You must help me pack
them up and return them. How glad
shall be to see the last of the hate
full thingsl Oh, l did hate them so
have been SO miserable, Tony.
Have you? He caught her hands
again. / thought thought
Did you think of me at, all? she de-
manded. Do you remember Mrs. Deane's
party, when You would play tennis with
Nina Chilcot?
remember that You would not let
me walk home with you'll have been
mad with misery l did not want you
to know-I would not let you blame
yourself-but it almost broke my heart
when l heard that you were engaged.
And now-now- Stella, am 1 dream.
ing? Do you know what your dear
eyes are telling me?
The tears welled suddenly up in the
eyes that he was gazing into-happy
tears that did not dim their brightness.
Oh, Tony, you ought to have found
it out before You were too good, too
patient with me. And thought that
you we're in love with Nina. 1t was
not till Molly told me yesterday that
that Oh, l have been blind l
did not understand you or myself, and
poor Alan least OF all.
She drew herself quickly away as he
tried to clasp her to him, a gay pro-
voking smile flashing through her tears.
You must help me, pack those pres
ents up and break the news to every
body. And I will give you back your
ring. suppose must
Stella
She would not let him finish his eager
sentence.
No-I must give it back to you to-
day, she said firmly. And then she
added, glancing up at him with demure
eyes, 1t is tiny bit large for me, Tony.
When you have had it altered
But she was not able to 20 on He
had clasped her close to him.
Half an hour afterwards Stella came
across the lawn to the house alone. She
had sent Anthony away, telling him to
60 to the Vicarage to breakfast. to break
the news to Mrs. Deane that there would
be no marriage on Thursday. There
would be no need to tell any one else.
She loves bit of gossip, dear old
soul. And this is big bit, isn't it?
But remember she is too know nothing
else just yet, Tony. The good people
Of Deepdene must not have their breath
quite taken away. Only don't look so
ridiculously happy, dear. No-don't say
you can't help it. See how serious l
can be. And then they both laughed.
Stella did not look very serious as she
crossed the lawn. Her eyes were spark
ling, her feet seemed to dance as she
moved, her lips were set in happy ten
der curves. There was not a cloud in
her sky wherever she looked. It was
no longer the dull leaden outlook which
had weighed upon her of late. It was
a clear pure blue, as blue as in those
happy days when she and Tony had
been boy and girl together, but touched
now with some magic which had been
unknown to them then. She did not
60 through the hall, but crossed the
terrace to the breakfast-room. Dan was
lying on the step of the window, and
Molly was making the coffee. She
glanced up to greet Stella with her sweet
and gentle smile.
Molly, how dared you get up? told
your maid to take your breakfast up
to you!
So she did, dear. L am making the
coffee for you. Do you know how late
it is?
Stella's cheeks turned scarlet as she
looked at the clock on the mantelpiece.
| It can't be as late as that, she gasped
with laugh. No wonder that l was
go hungry Poor Tony, am afraid Mrs.
Deane will have no breakfast for him.
l sent him there to breakfast.
Molly turned and looked at her. Stella'-
words, and her voice ever more than
her words, had startled her strangely.
| Have you seen Anthony this morning,
dear?
Yes. He was coming to inquire how
you were. But l haven't asked you
that yet, Molly darling. Did You sleep
we'll last night? don't believe you
did.
| Not very well, dear, said Molly, with
rather wan smile.
She had not slept all through the
night. The memory of Alan's eyes as
he held her hands in his strong clasp
had not left her for moment.
You look utterly worn out, said Stella,
regarding her with tender concern. !
wonder il you are strong enough to bear
a shock, Molly? l must tell you, for
am afraid Mrs. Deane will be here
in moment or two to condole with
you on my scandalous behavior. No
Mrs. Deane won't call it that-she is
too kind but other people will. l am
afraid that don't care bit.
Stella, what do you mean?
Molly half rose from her chair, and
then sat down again, her eyes fixed
strangely on her sister. Stella went to
her side and put her arms round her.
Molly, it has all been a mistake.
am going TO marry Tony. When you
told me yesterday-wben you scolded
met seemed to clear up everything
knew then that had been in love
with Tony all the time. And / wrote
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