Los Angeles herald., 1906-10-21
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home a delightful spot for love-mak
k4 ing. at least, so Mabel thought, th
le9s36I pretty daughter Of Mr. and Mrs EN-
bury. who had plighted her troth t
Aubrey Sutclfc. At present the household wa'
busy with preparations for Mabel's coming o.
age. She had invited host of Young cousins tc
help her in the production Of pastoral play, tc
be acted in the grounds of Sunnydene, on her
birthday The performance was being arranged
to assist fund for the restoration of the church
and leading part had been given TO Aubrey,
though it was Mabel's private opinion he was
not much of an actor
With her beloved in the house, perfect sum
mer weather, and pieasurable business to hand,
it appeared, on the face of things, that Mabel
must be supremely happy. She always delighted
in work. and cheerfully undertook a large share
of the correspondence with the enterprise. Now
and again Aubrey fancied she looked worried; he
begged her not to tire herself out, but she only
laughed off his warning words He discovered
from questioning her, that lately she had not
been sleeping well, and felt convinced she was
strength.
"I wish you would leave those tiresome letters
to me-" he said, coming suddenly upon her in
the veranda, and peeping over her shoulder.
She was deep in closey-written sheet that
for a moment she neither heard his words
step. Involuntary, line in mans firm egi-
bic hand caught the lovers eye:
81 am deeply grieved to tell you it is all too
true, God knows l would do onything in the
world for you and yours. Can you trust me?"
In fash the knowledge broke upon him, that
this was very private letter, and possibly
Of serious import-not merely the usual CORE
spondence in connection with the pastoral play,
as he at first supposed.
Mabel started violently, at the same time hid
ing the missive in haste. Her face was very pale
as she turned to Aubrey, with forced smile.
What were you readingY he asked casually.
She avoided his eyes. and stammered that a
friend had written line of birthday congratula
tions in advance.
He knew she was keeping something back yet
it was SO unlike Mabel to be secretive For the
first time the man realized that a barrier had
risen between them-the girl he loved was stoop-
ing to prevarication He was too proud to seek
a confidence which was not willingly given, yet
he eagerly asked himself what the mysterious
trouble could be, to which the letter alluded?
What might the tragic words mean. that their
explanation was withheld from Mabes future
husband2
Surely she would creep into his arms, and tell
him the whole story in her open candid way.
Whatever the sorrow, he had the right to share
it. Furtively, he watched her every movement,
reading the sweet girlish face like open book.
The brilliant smiles were no longer the outcome
of the sunny temperament beneath, they were
caused to hide aching heart, which concealed
hidden sorrow. When she was not laughing,
or talking with a feverish unnatural gaiety her
gaze stole curiously- y-sady-towards her father.
He was a delicate looking man, troubled by in
somnia, the possessor of highly strung nervous
disposition. His guests paid him little attention,
for to the young nephews and nieces assembled
beneath his roof this quiet undemonstratve
uncle was nonentity in his own house They
were thinking more of the arrival from London
of box of costumes and DISCUSSES to be used at
the performance.