Year: 1878




her eyes and looked at him, first IN a
dazed, bewildered way. then she put out
both hands and motioned him away.


we have killed him between us Do
YOU hear You and |! Oh, my darling!
my darling !


The Squire turned to Hannah:


who is this young woman"


lord bless us, sir. Didn't YOU know
# was Hilda? Master Cyril's IIllda,
who has been risking her own life to
save yours 2


Hllda's voice interrupted them:


The grave is the lonesome couch we
have civen your bonny head, and your
father may think it better one for you
than your lowborn IIilda's arms. On,
my own Cyril could you but know my
heart acked when | shut the door in
your face, and sent you to your duty
but YOU never, never will be the wiser
You have gone forever, and thinking
too, that Hilda was cruel and hcartless.
Oh. cruel Hllda! and more cruel
father rD


1t made the old mans frame quiyer
like an aspen leaf to hear the bereaved
qlrl. He felt himself almost murder
er. as the low plantiye tones made
their accusation against him.


He took her hand at last, and said:


my poor girl, forgive me and help
me to bear this bitter, bitter punish
ment. From this moment, be Cyril
alive or dead, l will make amends to
YOU for my unthinklng cruelty both to
you and him. You shall be to me as
much my daughte: as though you were
Cvril's wife. But as long as Cyril was
not reported dead there may be room
for hope. lie may come back to us
yet"


Hilda caught eagerly at the ray Of
hope.


oh, tell me truly she said, clasping
her hands in her intense eagerness until
the nails almost cut into the tender skin.
could it be possible that there was q
mistake? Do they ever put the wrong
name down?


Il have known Of instances ofoEe Of
ficer being taken for another IN the haste
and confusion of a battle, and this tele-
gram was sent while the conflict was
still raging.


So they tried to hope-eyen while ey-
cry one else was thinking sorowfully
that the kind. bright-faced young mas
ter was lying with his face to the stars,
no longor ignorant Of their voiceless
mysteries, in his solemn sleep.


Hilda remained at the manor. 1t was
comfort to the old man to make ,as he
thought this expiation for his fault.


In order that IIilda's position in the
household might be fully understood,
he announced her to be his sons be-
trothed wife, and invited lady ITargrave,
his widowed sister, to come and lend
the sanction of her presence to the young
girls residence in his home.


The next telegram brought cheering
news. Cyril had lost his arm, but was
doing well, and as soon as he would be
able to bear the journey was to be sent
home, wearing on his breast a decora-
ton earned by his own bravey.


After this there was happy house
hold at Atherton manor. Lady Har-
grave was versed in all the womanly
accomplishments, and she found an apt
pupil.


The Squire could hardly show enough
fondness for the gentle girl who had
been so patient and tender in her care
Of him through his tedious illness. The
sight of her pretty face bending over
her embroidery, of engaged in weaving
some delicate crotchet pattern, seeming
to him like a tangible promise that he
was not to be left a lonely old man.
So the days wore on until the pale
young soldier came home. Then there
was quite a wodding-the festivities
consequent upon the marriage of the
heir of the manor being reserved until
the return Of the bridal pair from
heightened tour in Italy, when it was
fondly hoped that Cyril would be fully
restored to health and strength, so that
the tenantry could be made happy by
his presence.


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