Year: 1873

of manner when Margaret pronounced our
names, and he offered me his hand. But l
had scarcely time to wonder at this before
it was gone, ann almost persuaded myself
that had imagined it.


We had very delightful evening. In a
little while was quiet at home with Percy
North and it was evident how determined
he was. that my return home should be Joy
GUS both to myself and to Margaret. l said
so once, and he answered quickly "What
could / do to add to the pleasure Of such
presence as yours!'


At that Iblushed-I think blushed be-
cause noted the same quick flash on his
face that had seen when his eyes first met
mine. And then / grew still more warm
and red, thinking what an awkward childish
creature he would take Margaret's sister to
be.


At first l was happier after my return
home than had ever been in mylife. Sun
shine shone on everything. Margaret's
mood OF depression and silence were almost
forgotten. for they never returned. We had
long rides together, long walks, whole days
Of rambling in the woods, searching for pict-
uresque places, and for the shy, strange
beautiful growths that hid themselves in
shadowy places, and keep the secret of their
loveliness from the very sun itself.


Often there were only US two but often,
also, Percy made delig ghtful third, and led
US where we would not have dared to 60
alone, showing us wonderful views in these
solitary wlds, until all the region became as
familiar to US as the aspect of our cottage it
self. Ia especial, there was one dark and
lonesome scene that drew us almost in our
own despite, when the sky was dim and the
wind whistled drearly through the leahess
branches. The sunshine and that place had
nothing in common and when its ray made
the woodlands almost cheerful, we avoided
the spot as instinctively as at other times
we sought it.


At that point the waters of the brawling
stream, whose course led to it, hnshed their
chattering, for the banks coming nearer,
they deepened so suddenly as greatly to still
and blacken them. Very sullen the water
lay-always some foamy bubbles floating on
it from the disturbed course beyond; and
they mirrored faithfully the trees and the
black rocks that shut them from the sight
| of heaven. High hills hemmed in the view /;
but its very silence, its lonesome sternness,
made an inde6nable charm about Dresher's
Pool.


At first, said, we were happy. 1t was
only at first. For long time / did not
comprehend the trouble, thought it was evi-
dent enough that cloud had arisen between
Margaret and Percy. Often l overheard,
but did not understand, the bitter words
which she addressed to him, and the sooth-
ing. gentle tones in which he answered her,
seemed not always sufficient to appease her
anger and pain.


His devotion grew, instead OF diminishing ;
every imaginable attention he rendered with
redoubled alacrity, but the look of serenity
was gone from his face as well as from my
sisters. And both seemed equally to avoid
| me.


Now and then glmpses of the meaning of
all this looked me in the face but, coward
like, dared not see the truth, and only hid
my burning face in my hands in agony of
shame, and of remorse even, for entertaining
the suspicion that so disturbed me.


No longer had Margaret and l the long
delightful talks, the delicious mornings and
evenings, which seemed as pleasant to her
as they had been both pleasant and instruct
i've to me. No more walks together, no in
terchange of confidence, no pictures of the
bright future, for the cloud, growing larger,
had already shut US in to the consideration
of the doubtful present only.


| But Percy came now oftener than before,
until once l heard Margaret remind him
that the visits which had suf6ced before my
returned would continue to do 80 now
Then We did not see him so frequently !;
and my sister was, if possible, yet more
miserable.


One evening the cloud lifted for a little
Percy had spent the afternoon with US and
had remained to tea. His utmost talent
for entertainment had been brought into
play; he had charmed my sister into for
getfulness of her fears, and even my own
aching heart had ceased its pain in pure
admiration of him and injury for my sisters
altered mood. The tea-things taken away,
we gathered costly around the sparkling fire..
Yet had taken seat little apart trying
to absorb myself in my work. that Margaret
might have no possible cause of pain. At
that time, God knows, if my unfortunate
beauty-it was all had-had been mine to
mark or mar, it it should have ceased to ex-
ist. For my sister-alas alas my sister
possessed thousand qualities of double
worth, and they weighed nothing beside the
fatal dover of fairer face


They talked together, and stealing now
and then glace, saw with delight-strange-
ly mingled with selfish despair-the soft
bloom returning to Margaret's cheek. the
smile to her lips, and the light to her eyes.
Presently, after little silence, my sister
looked up with sudden curiosity.
q 10 aJd parovu bo al av.r
have forgotten to tell me, and l have forgot
ten to ask, the contents Of the little package
you brought this evening. What is it.
please? ?" Did | see-or did I imagine
flush on his cheek, a momentary hesitation
in his voice? For almost Immediately he
answered, smiling "The packagef Fool
ish of me to forget it! 1t is only book /
hoped you might like to see."


"Ah, how thoughtful You remember
our dearth of ideas, at the cottage-you,
could not exaggerate It'll" said Margaret
gayly. Bring it at once, please, and let
me feast in anticipation of the title"


He rose. Vas there a slight unwilling
ness? bent close over my work, and SEEM
ed, and tried, to see her and hear nothing
but something foreboded me of what was to
happen. He gave the book, still wrapped
in its cover into her hand. Then the nee
die slipped from my hand and brought the
blood from tiny wound, and l felt nv
cheeks growing hot and red MY eyes were
filed with tears, and thank God the paup
that brought them there was not quite all q
selfish one.


From beneath my dropping lids / saw my
sisters dainty slim fingers unfolding the