The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-08-22

tered the room the next day, with a
shyness quite new to her, she received
a mothers kiss and blessing.
Laura smiled over her old dead TO-
nance. Doubt, uncertainty, as mis-
understanding or two, and a good deal
of unhappiness, had made the sum
total. Instead all was the very plain
est sailing. After Johns return, he
| fell into a regular courtship, and
three months later, when he found it
necessary to take quite an extended
business trip, he insisted upon a mar
riage.
Laura demurred at first, but finally,
after the manner of women, allowed
herself to be overruled.
They loved each other very much.
His regard had been the warmest and
most unreasonable in the beginning;
hers, of slower growth, went silently
to the very depths of her soul, and at
length touched every chord of her be-
ing.
And so they came to another sum-
mer. Mrs. Parker did not regain her
full strength after her illness, and her
sister, who lived at the seaside, in
sisted upon taking her thither for a
change In the meanwhile, Laura's
sister, Mrs. Walton, came to make her
d visit
John had been his mothers escort,
and just returned. They sat round the
tea-table, Mrs. Walton chatting in a
merry fashion John was mentioning
some people whom he had met.
There was a bride-Mr. and Mrs.
Eustace-and the groom was a real
handsome young fellow, but dreadfully
conscious"
"Oh, Laura! it's Harry Eustace l
forgot to tell you. You heard that he
had fortune?"
mol" and Laura looked up with a
mirthful smile.
Yes. Some old maiden aunt or 9TH
er left him $4,000, the story goes, and
this Miss MCGEE whom he has mar
ried is worth $4,000 or 100000. See
what you missed"
''All owing to a cruel father" and
Laura laughed in spite of herself
We'll, | suppose we all do foolish
things in our salad days as Cleopatra
calls them
A look in her husbands eyes led
Laura to change the subject. John
had confessed that he was exacting.
and might be jealous, but she had
only smiled over the announcement
when it was made. If he demanded
a good deal, he also gave generously
Could such a foolish thing distress
him?
He was undeniably grave. Laura
was glad when they could be alone
Placing her arm around his neck, and
dropping on one knee, kind of pet
fashion she had. she kissed him
fondly.
John" she began, did you feel
troubled about what Kate said?
should have told you if it had been Of
any importance. | was not quite IT
when this Harry Eustace fell des-
perately in love with NE. He was
barely 20, handsome. and morbidly he.
role, but indolent, and with no sort
of pride or ambition. Father would
not consent to an engagement, and
sent me away to school | thought it
very cruel, and tried to make myself
as miserable as possible; but when
| returned home with a years growth
of sense and judgment. | found his
sentimental nonsense dreary trash in
deed, and had no further desire to con
tinue the acquaintance
But | suppose he was not your
only lover?" Mr. Parker asked. a lit
tie coldly.
'Laura's face was scarlet, partly
from feeling of delicacy, partly in.
dignation.
Very few girls reach the age Of
20 without having had one or more
lovers. Yet l think the love | should
have given at II would have been
very immature and unreasoning. |
should have married then to please a
crude, girlish fancy; now have learn.
ed the sacredness of life, and would
take no mans love without being sure
that | could give every thought of my
soul in return"
Thank you for the confidence" and
there it ended.
Laura was little wounded, and too
proud to make any further confession
She rose and began to busy herself
about some trifie.
1t actually seemed to John Parker
that he had received a mortal blow.
That this woman, in whom he had
placed the most implicit faith, who
had solemnly assured him that he was
her first love, should now confess a
fancy for another, and even hint that
that there had been more than one,
But regret was of no avail He could
not undo the past. He had yielded to
a hasty passion, and blighted a life
that he had dreamed would be so
happy His faith in Laura was shat.
tered.
And yet he meant to be very noble.
He would not betray the secret an.
guish that must hereafter be his com.
panion.
He was, if possible, more .solicitous
than ever. Every little act of polite.