Year: 1874

him, believing at his first approach that ne
was Ola, her waiting maid. But when, in
stead of her whom she was prepared to repri-
mand for disturbing her, she recognized Clar-
ence, the impatience her features betrayed
suddenly gave place to the expression ofgreat
and intense fear.


She could not repress the movement of con-
straint and formality that prompted her to
rise as he approached her, and remain stand
ing, as if waiting to hear his errand, and then
to dismiss him.


There was no apparent justification for the
apprehension she seemed to feel, either in his
manner or expression for he was smiling, and
his air was perfectly tranquil. Whatever
aroused vague fear of him in her breast was
known only to her. When she saw that he
evinced no thought Of Immediately retiring,
she sank back in her seat with an involuntary
sigh, and said in languid tone that evinced
she had been suffering, and with an expression
of gentle reproach, II am glad you came in
to see me tonight. L began to fear you had
forgotten me. You deserve to be pouted at,
for you have been little inattentive! And
then the loud talking annoyed mel"


"Did it?" he said, gently, and with an in
ouiring look "what is the matter?'


81 have had a severe headache all day!'


Clarence Gadbury here leant over his wife
and put one arm about her shoulder, and with
the disengaged hand lifted up her sweet face
and kissed her tenderly on the eyes, and on
the mouth.


He was acting deceptively toward her for
the first time in his acquaintance with her.
And while be played his part, he narrowly
studied every expression that fitted across her
lovely features. She could not forbear a
shudder when she felt his arm encircle her,
for she thought of dead Zaidee in the wood
She could not forbear shrinking away from
his kisses, or holding lips as cold as marble to
receive them, for she remembered his terrible
oath to punish her if her sin found her out.


But her aversion condemned her. 1t was
unmistakable at the touch of his lips, and his
hands caresses! He turned away from her
and slowly paced to and fro the length of the
apartment. He was convinced in bis suspl-
cions, and nearly beside himself.


She noticed his agitation.


"What is the matter with your" she said.


Had she not spoken, he would have be-
trayed all. Her inquiry reused him. He
answered, carelessly, as he approached her


II am vexed with my uncle-for something
more than trife, this time"


20, know; you are angry about the way
he behaved in the parlor! Docia came by
and told me of it."


"He is angry, too, and threatens to cut us
off i'll his will |"


He then recounted the whole scene to her,
Just as it had transpired; and, in addition,
showed her note the old man had written,
and which he had received on his way to her
room.


Cecilia read the note aloud. 1t was very
lengthy and full of absurd complaints. He
said that he would leave the Bluffs immedi-
ately if he had become an object of disrespect
to its inhabitants that he knew where to put
his money at better investment than there !;
and that he would go where he could be treat
ed courteously and Hospitality, and not be
battered and pushed about as though he was
an ipfliction upon the household, rather than
the blessing he knew himself to be.


81 am so sorry he isso angry" said Cecilia,
with all irrepressible smile.


"You are the only one, my love, who can
restore his good humor," said Clarence.


"If you think so, will 60 to him instant
ly," she said, rising.


"If he is stubborn about going, tell him |
am bound to 60 to Louisville on some busl-
ness, and that you don't like to be left alone.
Insist on his remaining, and by the time do
return, he will have abandoned the idea of
going at ALL"


Certainly WILL" she said, obligingly.


"You know, dear, 1 am bound to 60, and it
would not be courteous to our guests to leave
you here alone to entertain them"


"Certainly not" she replied, quickly.


Gas far as I am concerned, I see nothing to
object to in such course" said Gadbury,
with forced smile; "but appearances are
every thing in this world. You are young
and beautiful, which is enough to put slander
and gossip afoot And then Docia is always
more of a bother than help to you"


"Why arc you going to Louisville? You
never said any thing about it till now"


&C.," he said, ignoring her question and
seating himself on the sofa; ;"I shall remain
here until you return. If you don't make
haste, uncle Gadbury will have retired. l
will start early in the morning, and must learn
his decision before l 90. | will not be back
for week."


When Cecilia left the room and closed the
door after her, her husband rose and ran,
rather than walked, to the shelf on which
stood the shell-box Zaidee had described. A
little key was in the tiny lock. She had ev-
identity been in it lately, and had left it open
by accident or carelessness. He took it in
his hand, lifted the lid, and there, revealed to
view, lay the miniature and d package of let
ters tied with blue satin ribbon. A rapid
examination convinced him the letters were
from Mcdonald, and of recent date. A
glance confirmed the memory of the mans
peerless face. Carefully replacing the articles,
he closed the box, returned it to the shelf and
resumed his seat.


When Cecilia came into the apartment a