Year: 1879

not L asked him to order the carriage,
but would not allow him to come home
with me. He coldly said he hoped I
would sleep off my annoyance.
"Well, Cecil, you need not smile !;
that is not the worst of it. Thursday,
when I went to Mrs. Halley's, saw
him driving with the person who had
caused me so much unhappiness. I
could endure no more. I came home
and sent him a note telling him he was
free to return to his first love, and that
did not care to see him again. He
called Friday, but would not see him,
so that is the end of it !"
"You certainly have had some cause
for annoyance. hardly know what to
think. I must acknowledge that he has
behaved very strangely, but you should
have seen him when he called, and
given him an opportunity to explain
himself. He is proud and impulsive.
You may have judged hastily. What
is this beauty's name?'


81 do not know and would not ask !;
of course am altogether to blame. I
always am, and suppose I should have
seen him and begged his pardon for
leaving me, and eat some humble pie
because he chose to talk with some one
else and neglect me. That is all the
sympathy 1 expected from you. Cecil"


II don't say that you were altogether
to blame but you acted hastily in CIV
ing him his freedom-that is, if you
love him."


Perhaps I did act hastily. AS for
loving, I do love him, though 1 am
ashamed to say it," and Louisa left the
room to have a good cry, while Cecil
be cleared from loves bright dream.


At last she arose, and writing hasty
note to Hal, dispatched it and waited
for reply. She did not have to wait
long. Then, throwing a cloak about
her, she left the room just as the shad
ows of evening began to deepen. She
walked briskly for short distance,
when she was met by tall, cookbook
ing young man.


"Ah, Hall am glad to see you"


THANK you. Louisa is not ILL.,"


''No, nor is she very well. But
though fear you will think am med
ding, came to ask you why you have
acted so strangely and brought this
pain upon you both, for she has not
suffered alone


"She is the one who has acted
strangely, and must say I don't think
her love for me could have been so very
strong or she would aot have given me
up SO easily"


You forget the circumstances ?"


"Not at all. It is deuced pity if
fellow is not to speak to cousin he has
not seen for an age because he happens
to be engaged"


"Cousin ! Is she your cousin? Why
did you not tell Lu so ?"


=" l thought did tell her, though I
believe now I neglected to do so, she
was SO angry and jealous not
even see me when 1 called"


HAL, do you still love my hasty
little friend?"


Yes, with al. my SOUL"


"Then rest assured your love is more
than returned, and if you will lay aside
your pride all will yet be we'll. But
even you must acknowledge that you
treated her rather carelessly."


"I was going to explain, but she
would not let me. She won't see me,
and said if I wrote she would burn my
letter so what can do?"


"She was very indignant. But have
a plan. Come to morrow night at dusk.
I will have her in the sitting room
you can enter by the window and sur
prise her."


"Do you think she will receive me ?"


Without doubt"


Every we'll won't fail"


He conducted Cecil home, and after
he had left her thousand conflicting
thoughts took possession of him. For
time it seemed hard to tell whether
love or pride would gain the day, but
at last his determination was made, and
with an outward calmness he turned his
steps homeward.


+** ~ **


The next night at the appointed time
Hal stole softly up the steps to the bal
cony and entered by the open window,
to see fair head bent on the table,
while sobs shook her slight frame. She
had not heard him enter, and was not
prepared for the firm clasp of manly
arms, and the low tones asking to be
forgiven.


"And you are very sure, Hal, that
you do not love her ?''


"Of course love my cousin She
is engagsd to marry some one else, so
promise that we will again be friends
and never let jealousy separate u.s."


!" I promise. Oh, here is Cecil" +"


" Yes, am ever present, and as
see the clouds have vanished, allow me
to wish you much future happiness.
trust this lesson is we'll learned"


They were married in due time, and
find their greatest happiness in their