The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-02-25

Maude, as she has already explained.
has been having a hard time of il at
Glinn these last two or three days. Life
has been all so easy 10 her so far. that
she hardly realizes the facing of this.
her first genuine trouble. She is await
ing the post anxiously this morning: Gren
is certain TO write TO her by return and
der belief in Gren is unbOunded.
Once more the icy breakfast table she
so breads Her father looks at her as a
culprit who would subvert the old Gre
clan story, and sacrifice her parent in
stead of presenting her throat to the
knife. Mrs. Denison evidently looks upon
her as sainted martyr She loves and
sympathizes with her daughter; she ap-
proves of her spirited refusal, but she
cannot desert her old idols. THE king
AN do no. wrong" Harold Denison's
opinion must be hers outwardly. though
in her heart of hearts she NAV rebuke
herself for not being on her daughters
side
a letter from Granville for you.
Maude," said her father, as he threw II
across. She and her cousin were reeu-
Tar correspondents, so that il excited no
remark yet the mother noticed that the
girl, instead of tearing il open as was her
won't, slipped it quietly into the pocket
Of her dress. Maude felt as il she DOS
sessed a talisman against her troubles.
and determined to read it in the solitude
Of her own chamber, and there she betook
herself as soon as breakfast was over.
Her cheek flushed as she perused it. sod
the large grey eyes opened wide IS tn
establishment. Grenyille's tale of -,assion-
ate love would have moved mo ziris.
albeit he has not as yet in thes pages
figured TO any great advanta still
Granville Rose had a shewd enough head
upon his shoulders, and was a comely
man to look upon, to boot He told his
love well. and few maidens. even il they
do not reciprOcate il. can listen unmoved
when that old-world story is passionatelv
told them. There was plenty of warmth
in Grenville's fervent pleading. and after
reading the letter through twice. Maude
dropped the paper on her lap. and, utterly
Oblivious to her troubles, fell into a rev
erie.
1t seemed so strange She had loved
and admired Gren as long as she could
remember. but she had never thought of
think so, and yet, almost unconsciously to
herself, of late she hal been more solicit
Gus about gaining his good opinion and
pleasing him than of yore. ITO think
Gren should care about me in this way -
she murmured land do / love him? |
don't know. He's nicer, and better, and
cleverer than anyone / ever met. Why
didn't he tell me this when he was here
last? / think I'd rather have heard it
from himself. All. but doesn't he tell
me why notf" and the girl once NOR
took up the letter and read:
rAIl this, my darling. has been on my
lips for months. but boz could | tell
you?-how could | seek your love who
had not even a home TO offer? What the
struggle has been to see you so often, and
yet keep down what surged within me,
only know When / kissed your cheek
at parting last time, nearly clasped you
In my arms and poured out the secret of
my soul to you. / did not: it seemed
madness-it IS perhaps madness now; but,
my darling, / could not lose you. When
you tell me that another seeks the prize
| covet, right or wrong, | must speak.
Maude, you must decide between us. Can
you trust me, and waltz"
Once more the letter fell In her lap,
and the softened grey eyes and slightly
flushed face augured well for Grenville
Roses wooing.
Yes she muttered. softly, Il think
I love him now as he would have me
and if | don't quite yet-for it seems all
so new to me- know l could shortly.
Gren, dear, what am | to write to you!
/ think it must be Yes"
1t was wrong, she thought, to keep
Gren in suspense when he was so dread
fully in love with her; so that nights
mail bore timid, Auttering little note,
the receipt of which produced tire
mendous state of exhilaration in that
young Templar.
But poor Maude, after the first flush
of exultation that enters the breast OF
every girl at a welcome declaration OF
love, quickly awoke to the fact that her
position was not a whit improved by it.
She confded her engagement to her moth