Middletown transcript., 1905-02-11
TROUBLESOME LENORE !.
BY MARG0T MA UDE
BY MARG0T MAUDE


Certainly. If You wish it," he said
rather shamefacedly.
: He was longing to 90 10 Lenore-Le-
more, who wac no longer out Of his reach.
He was nadty anxious to hear her say
that she wonld marry him. Lenore was
always UNCERTAIN, even though he b-.
lieved that SHE loved him. Aud yet lie
felt a traitor to the quiet pale girl at his
side.
Il think that it would be best. Il
shall leave a little earlier than intended,
Angus. and think that ] shall 20 back
to Sunley."
'AIay, are You quite snre ?"'
II am quite sure. We are both free,
and l hope that you will be very happy,
Angus, now and always."
Angus found it difficult to get hold
OF Lenore. She always avoided him, and
since May had come she had done 20
more than ever but at last he managed
to say to her
"Lenore, you must let me speak to
you. have something to say"
Lenore turned deadly white at his
words, and looked quickly up into his face.
81 will come into the garden," she
said-"there are always SO many people
about-bnt in the garden in few min
utes' time by the summer-house )" and
then she turned and answered some qnes-
ton of old Mrs. Grey, who had taken q
great fancy to her.
lie was at their tryst first, and waited
for some minutes before she came up
breathlessly.
"Well ?' SHE asked at once. "Tell ME
what is it r.
"May Ras asked me to release her from
our engagement. am Free"
"She asked you? Oh, it can't be true
l AM quite sure that she loves you Can
she have guessed, Angus?' p
II am sure she can't We have never
spoken to each other. But, Lenore-my
darling-I am free-free to ask You to
marry me- You will, Lenore?"
81 can't help thinking of her." she said
rather feverisi,Iy. 'Angus, do you really
believe it-really ~
81 believe that she does not mean to
marry me. She was very quiet about it,
and said that we should always be friends.
Dearest, we can do no more. have not
broken faith with her"
"But you are glad that she has set you
free ~
"Can you blame me for that p
"No-I can't. Only it does seem such
pity that our happiness should begin on
her unhappiness.
"When is our happiness to begin?"
He caught her to him now, and refused
to listen to any more sad words. "You
are to say only that you love me as love
you, Lenore.'
"You know that do"
Il don't feel sure OF it until you tell
me again. Can one feel sure OF you,
LenoreP
"Ah-still you do not trust me p
"But will when you kiss me, and say
that you will marry me. When, Lenore?"
She held up her face to his. Her lovely
eyes were full of happiness and love, and
she let him kiss her. She told him that
she loved him dearly and then, drawing
herself away little, she said
Now you must be patient, and listen
to me if l say something that will yex
you."
lyon couldn't vex me now-that il,
unless-you are not going to raise any
more ridiculous scruples, Lenore? will
not bear it. Until May is gone, of course
our engagement can't be given out but
/ am going to tell Agnes to-night-there
shall be no more uncertainty about it.
You are mine, and mean to claim you"
"You may tell mother, if you WILL"
she said slowly; but if YOU really love
me you will do as ask"
"And that is?"
"You will.let me 60 away for year."
"Let you 60 away? No-thst will
not dor' He frightened his clasp about
her. Anything else. Lenore-anything
in reason-bnt year"
ut would be best for you-you would
learn to trust me-and best for me.
want to show you that ! am worthy of
trust, and We must do it for Lady Mays
sake. Havesyou thought what it would
be to her if you were to give out that you
were engaged to me so soon-so very soon
after she has given you up? We could
not do it. II we wait year, at least
there will be,no talk to hurt her."
In the end he submitted willingly,
and Lenore had her way.
When he told Mrs. Daintrey. he tried
hard to make her shorten the term Of
waiting, buIshe was quite as determined
as Lenore that, for a year at lea-t, there
must I've 'fionpen engagement.
'Lenore shall go away" she said and
she kissed the girls sweet face tenderly.
II don't think any one can say that size
has behaved badly in this, and | tan
trust her now. II she loves you, she will
be good and true"
''And year is not very long" said
Lenore pleadingly.
: Where will you go2" He watched
her with rather moody eyes She was
right. He could hardly bear to trust her
out Of his sight.
II shall try for situation as governess
or companion"
-"Why should you do that ?'' he sai,I
angrily. "Agnes, surely this at least is
unnecessary r.
"lt is the right thing for her to do"
That evening, " hen Lenore was in her
own room, there was low knock at her
door. She opened it, and to her great
found that it was Lady Nav.
"You want to speak to p" Lpnore
asked and she colored guiItily. In Lady
Mays presence she still felt ren,orseful
''Yes. May come in for few min