The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1908-10-15

him like that GO-aLu eH.o' !Ou'
self"
Trents face whitened. Then a slow
smile came to his mouth,
You have not been good TO me since
the boy came, Aileen' he said, and
since he went you have been cruel
He turned on his heel and was gone,
Aileen climbed slowly up the stairs
to her room. Every movement seemed
an effort.
Her maid was waiting for her Al.
leen slipped from her house gown and
into the long black frock held for her.
She felt the heavy veil droop from her
hat with a weight that before she had
not noticed. She took up a glove and
pulled It on.
And then through the window she
saw Alec. He was on his horse; ne
was cantering down the drive; he was
at the gate, and the horse had SHE'D
at a bit Of paper on the grass. Then
they had disappeared behind the
trees.
You have not been good to me since
the boy came That was unjust Of
Alec. How had she been bad? She
had been devoted to the child, and so
had he at first. They had not been
out much together, but that was be-
cause she would trust no one to take
the boy out except she was there.
They had not been much together IN
the house, either, but that was be.
cause Alec must not smoke in the nur.
series. And how had she been cruel
since he died? Alec was cruel He
had left her time after time alone TO
suffer alone; had said he must get out
Of the house. only just now he had
let the bird sing; had said he must
be happy
Here is the other glove" The maid
tried not to speak impatiently. She
was used 20 waiting while her mis-
tress stared from the window.
Aileen took the glove mechanical
ly.
Thank you" she said.
She turned to her mirror, adjusted
her hat, saw a sad white face, with
wide sorrowful eyes. a dropping
mouth and hair strained back unbe.
cominsly
Mr.. Trent is all right today?"
Aileen turned frowningly on the
maid.
What do you mean?'
Il mean-I only meant-had he got.
ten over his lameness-from the fall?"
Allen stared at her.
He is perfectly we'll" she said.
What fall?" she added to herself.
Then she remembered his horse at
the gate. Was thar the same horse?
She had meant to ask him 10 sell that
creature. Before the boy died there
had been talk one day Of Alec's being
thrown. But he had made light Of
Il.
Nh Trent is a careless rider" she
found herself saying, but ne has nev.
er been seriously hurt
"Oh! no, madam. L was only that
Peter says Bullhnch hates the woods.
Mr. Trent always goes that way"
The horse had SHE'D Alec was a
careless rider. Aileen buttoned the
second glove.
Where are the fowers?"
Il have them"
Take them to the carriage"
But she did not follow. She went
TO the window again. Through the
woods that he loved and down by the
brook where he played" And then
on and down the road and across fields. !
a wild, free ride. Aileen knew how
Alec would 90. They had ridden side
by side too many times for her to for
set the eager leaning forward in the
saddle, the careless hold on the reips
She must remember to ask him TO be
more careful.
Well, 1t was time to 60. The maid
returned a trife disturbed. She had
an engagement at half.past four. It
was always safe 10 make one on Sat.
urdays.
Aileen stood in the middle Of the
room pulling of her glove.
Another pair, madam"
Get my habit"
Du'' maualn, II Is packed away"
Get st out"
She tugged her hat and veil from
coils Of hair that pulled and hurt her.
Then the long black dress lay on the
floor in a heap. HA- ,tding clothes
lifted loosely over her thin figure. She
buttoned the coat over a heart that
beat heavily in sudden and unaccount.
-Sle fear.