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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Signal, 1909-3-4, Page 6e 1aCISDAT, Maacn 4, 1909. THE SIGNAL: GOI If RIC 1 ONTARIO. Meadow Brook BY MRS. MARY J. HOLMES • wdAaSOff of " Tcmpcat and Sunshine," " Lau - Rivers," "Tie English Orphans." ++4 icasueu.d flow i.age s., CHAPTER XXIiI. Rapidly, and to me very happily did the winter pesa away, Inc it was enlivened by the presence of Mr. De- lafield who was with us so often, that it became at last a serious debate among the blacks as to whether Cedar Grove or Sunny Bank , :e really his home. More than once, too, was it whispered in the village, --that little Rosa Lee. plain and unassuming tans she wan, had stirred in the heart of the "stern old bachelor" a far deeper feeling than Ada Muutruea bad ever been capable of assiening. And sometimes she, foolish child that ehe was, thought so too, not from any- thing he said, neither from anything which he did; indeed, it would have been hard ter. Iher to tall -why her heart sometimes beat eo feat when he was near, for though his manner was always kind and considerate. he never spoke to her of love- never. ap- peared ae he had, onoe done in the summer-hoe:c, when she gave him such silly •'i were! And still; oeeaaionally, Rosa dared to hope Iht !_her- IQvs relstu d, else why did each day find him at her side, where he lingered so long, saying to leer but little, but watch- ing her movements, and listening to her words, u he would not have done had she been to him an object of 1 in- difference. Not naturally quick to read human nature, Mrs. Lansing was wholly deceived by her brother's Gold exterior, and never dreaming how in secret he worshiped the humble girl she called her governess. she left them much together. Why then did he never speak to her of the passion which had become a part of his be- ing? Simply because he too was de- ceived. Once, indeed, he had essayed to tell her of his love, and dreading lent his affection should not be re- turned, he was the more ready to con- strue her evasive replies into a be- lief that it was indeed as he feared. Then, too, her shy, reserved manner, while it made him prize her all the more, disheartened him; for not thus was he accustomed to being treated, and with that jealousy which seems to be the twin sister of love, he oft- timee thought he read aversion and distant, when there was, on Rwsa'a part naught save a fear lest he should discover her secret, and despise her for it. Added to this was the remem- brance of what Ada had said concern- ing her former engagement with Dr. Clayton. True, Rosa bad denied the engagement, but when charged with having loved him she had remained went, thus proving the story correct. And it she loved him when a child. was it not probable that she loved him ' gill. married man though be was. He had heard of such things, or, at Last be had read of them in books, 1 and `for many days, Mr. Delafield's Mow was literally tied op in knots, while he tried to solve the gneetion u to "Whether, having loved once and been deceived, Rosa Ice oould • _j -low. again.' At last hectdT her. Leaving all things for the stranger..' I Yee, Mr. Delafield wsh jealous -- terribly jealous of Dr. Clayton, the nature of whose business he readily divined, though I did not, and noth- ing ea further from my mind than the thought that he 'intended honor- ing me with a chance of becoming ,Mrs. Clayton Id. And yet it was this alone which had brought him to Geor- gia, he taking the precitrtaoe to send on in advance a letter, in which he had make known hia wishes, snd ask- ed for a return of the affection which, for five long years, he said, had never known one moment of abatement, even though another had slept upon his bosons as his wife. But she was gone, and in her place, he would see blooming, he said, the Rose he bad Loved so log. Owing to some Meatus Lion. this letter had fouled to reach me, hence 1 was wbo!'.v unprepared for the soene which I.!lowed when, at last we were raft i,lone. Well skilled in the -igen, Are. Lansig had purpaeely r 'fired, not long after her brother's del more, while 1, sus - L peeling nothing. made no objection *hen Dr. Cle:ytott intik lite seat upon the sofa at my aide. I1 was taking to him of Anna, and speaking of her, and poor Herbert's death, it was an easy transition to Dell. of whom he 77-s,poke kindly. nay. swan aMectaonstm ly told meof her da .aslse d h feat >". how much she suffered, and how gen- tle ehe became, never chiding him, 'In the leant; for a thing unskilfully done, but seeing satisfied with every- thing, and loving him at last with a love which, had it been earlier born. would have shed happiness over his ' comparatively cheerless Life. Then he ' told me of the little child, not yet khees years old, whole be had called Rea Lee." and gently pushing back my curls, and gating down into my face, he said, "It is • fancy of mine perhaps. but I love to think she looks like you. who should have been her mother." i With all my stupldi I understood Whim then, and W erime n, I moved away to the a of -the Iota. while he continued. "What did You think of my letter? You received 14. 1 buppo .r I had received no letter, and so ' said; .whereupon he proceeded to telt me ill contents, a part of which the reader already knows. Utterly cnn- I founded and powerless -to move. I sat motionless, while, with his arm 'around ame, he v: tit over with the putt, recalling to ety mind. with a vividness which made it seem reel again: the time when first he hal found me weeping in the sombre old i ,chowlroxgn, away ' , the northward; the ght gwhen. round u , aoietssooto- beamsfail gether beneath the tali oak tree, while i laid before him my childish griefs, and lastly, the many pleasant hours we had whiled away together, listen- ing to the sound of the running brook. which ran putt the twining grape -vine. whose broad leaves had rustled above our heads. . "fin these oecnaione, Roes," said Le. ''did nothing ever tell you how touch you were beloved?" I- answered _bitterly., my_wet roan's nature rousing us as 1 remem- hered the times to which he referred. "Yee, and what did it avail me, even though - 1 was beloved, Ambition incited the stronger attraction of the two, and you wedded another. You, who, now that other has gone, would talk again to me of love; but Rosa Lee is no longer a child te be de- ceived, and you mistake her strange- ly. if you fancy you can cast her off and take her up again at will." Here. overcome with emotion, I buret into tears. My words and man- er misled him, for in them he saw y resentment for his former treat -.--,- as Hiatt pwaiWy she 1 scald, and his mind was fully made ap,ta-talk with her upon the sub- 1 unexpected arrival ' lea kris hopes at once, and dark- ened a glimmering sunlight which was da ing upon his honson. It was a da , rainy night, toward the , last of Apr , that i sat with the lam- ily in the pl asant JittJe sitting -room. 1 As usual, Mr Delafield wait with ur, and this evening he was reading 1 aloud from Longfellow's wonderful poem Ile tins just in the midst of , Hinwerhn'- wtlolnr, and I fancied (here was in the tones of his voice a ' writer ea'_ti ' as I,e read, "111.1.1 to ti .,•1 they went together, Throng), the woodland and the mase dow, Left the old mac standing lonely At the doorway of his wigwam. Heard the falls of Minnabaha Calling to them 1mm the distance, Orying to them from alatwff. Pare thee well, oh, Laughing Water," Scarcely had the last words fell hie lips when. a heavy tread upon the fossas and e loud ringing of the bell started us, flu it wag not often that we were favored with vidfors on each a night as this. Zillah, the colored girl, hastened to the door where she found a stranger, who, slapping into the hall, asked, "if Miss Sona Lee lived there " Starting from my chair, 1 turned very white, for 1 recognised the voice of Dr. Clayton, who ttboee next momao/ stood before me! i forgot the forgot_ Nut Richard Delafteld'eeve were forgot that he had been my I upon me -forget every thing etre rept that he had come from dear New England -bad breathed the air of uiy native hills -had heard the sound d ruy mothers voice --and had brought Inc undoubtedly tidings of that moth- ers welfare. Spring forward with a ery of jou i took his extended hand. nor shrank away when. with un- wonted tenderness, he steeped to Use mi lip, low whispering as he did so. Hear Rosa " Then, indeed, I binabed, for I knew Ise had no right to call me Ulna. burl the nevi moment it was forgotten, and with something of pride in my man- ner, 1 presented him to Mrs. Lansing and Mr. Delafield, the liter of whom greeted him rather coldly and atter a few words of common courtea bade era good night, bot net until he had learned what until that moment, was news to me, vis., that Dell Clayton had been dead nearly aiz months - Aa lie passed me on his wayoat, he said so low that no one Asa eeold hear him, "Fare thea well, oh, Laugh - fat Weser," referring to the limas he had just read. There wee a deep s serf upon his dark Mee, and as 1 /seed upon him, f mold not hasp weaderin if it were thee the old man Lebed, when from his lonely wigwam elhor Ise watched the departing foot. stii d his daughter.'Oeni e again tomorrow, Uncle DIek," acid IiWp Jessie, following ( biro tato the hall; but he mats her t M answer, save his eeeuaterned good-; n bye kiss, and 1 soon beard hit heavy tread as he strode down the winding walk and out into the open field, mut. L to himself, as I afterwards ! • w and this- Inspired him with hope hat the feeling 1 once cherish - cd for im could again be nourished into lif Very tenderly, then, he talked to e, and, as 1 Idatetied, n numbness ept over my heart, for 1 knew he ws in cement now, and i felt that it a not the Dr. Clayton of old -the Ackte�, selfish man of the world --with when I had to deaf, but Dr. Clnytnn plinth end made bet- ter -sty -the tri*! r whieh, Ise had passed --a noble' true -hearted. nerd upright man -a lee, now laid nt my feet the love which j• knew (hail always been mice. Very earnestly he implored forgiveness for the wrong he ondw had done Inc. Paying that for it Ire had been terribly punished, inas- much as he had suffered far more th+ttt 1. And still he breathed no word of censure ageinee his erring wife, afro, Inc said, was perhaps more Binned than inial and who, on- the wine ripen . - r, had! ehispere.l 111 his ear, as her w te, clammy timid rested on the flow • curls of little Rose, "Her r motile f know, will be she whose name g' - bears, end I am willing it should be "And was he nut right%" he con- tinued, draw/ me closer to his side. "Will you not the angel of my home, the moths of my ••bildl� And then ngnin told me how mash i led been lot• . • how Im had striven in vain to coat "•he from bis heart, when it was madn and sin t to keep me there; and how, hen horizon had been olarkest wit dant and care, there was still in the , is- thrice a ray of ennlight, the rem- . t !mance of me, which had kept his sou a from fainting. And now that it was right for him to speak to me of love, would I not listen and give him an opportunity to atone for the wrong e he had once sterni -tire*- - flue paused e for my reply. There was silence in the roonf, and i counted each pulse 1 in my beating heart na it throbbed with the intensity of my excitement. "Will not my darling answer me?" he said, and 1 felt his breath upon n} cheek, hie lips upon my brow, Not thus could 1 sit and tell him what duty bade me say. So 1 moved testy, and 'standingup before him, Raid, alowh•, andistinctly, "Dr. layton, i loved you once, but the ime has gone by the love has died eat, and I would not awaken it if I could." Thera was a firmness in my man- ner, a decision in the tone, of my oice, which startled him more than hat 1 said, and with • faint cry Inc taw arose, and coming to my aide, said "God forgive you. Rose, for the againsts rag, cruet were' you nave uttered, but yo cannot Ihe its earnest." And then, with the firelight dick ering over his, pale face. he pleade with me "to think again, to revok what i had said, and not tei gen him away utterly hopeless • wretched. The love I had felt to - Rita -mus, though chilled and d4 mant •now. would bloom again. fo he could bring it back to life, an 1 must be his; he could not live with nut me. I need not decide then, Lha night," he said. "he would give m tine," and again he pressed for m answer, which was the sante ae be fore! tor, much as I pitied him, Cher ens between us a dark shadow, an the eubatanoe of that shadow bor the form and features of Richer I)clatleld. Sinking into • chair, he laid hi head upon the table, while, buryin my face in the cushions of the sofa 1 wept bitterly. stealing occesiona glances towards the bowed fort which. in its despair, gave no sigr of life. There was no acting there for it was the grief of a strong nun which 1 saw. Without, the stun had ceased; the wind had died away and the rain no longer beat agains the casement; but within, there rag ed a wilder storm of human passions and as it swept over me in its tul force, I cried, mentally "Ought thus W deal with him? I loved lin once, perhaps I could do •sa again 1 would at least try." And, nein up, 1 glided noiselessly to hist side He did not hear rate, and, for a time I shod gazing down upon him, wbil �j thoujht of all lie had suffered. and of Tail lave Tor me, which 1 could not doubt. The *bedew nu longer stood between u; it was gone, and strengthened by itt ab..'enoe, I laid my laud iipoii-Thin-uihheulder.- He ahud tiered as if it had been a • serpent's touch, but when I whispered in bis ear, "Look up, I have something to tell you," he raised his head, die- ' clueing -to-rrry' thew -a-leer over --winch years seemed to have passed since last 1 bad looked upon it. "I will try," 1 said, "but give me .oue days for reflection and tomorrow rw r." shall' have your an e --you ah As the clouds are dispersed by'the soft rays of the sun, so the shadows passed from his brow at my words, and clasping rue in hie army he wept over me, as Heaven grant I uiay Hever n>'t' man weep again. The tire on the hearth had long sine, gone out. The lamp wee burn- ing dimly, and the moon -beanie came faintly in through an easteui window ere 1 bade him good night and boglht the solitude of my room, where my resolution Unmet instantly gave way', for the shadow was there, and in its presence 1 felt i would rather die than wed a roan I did not love. "Oh. for a female friend with whom to counsel in my need," i said, as I nervously paced the room. 1 thought of Mrs. Lansing. • She was a woman --she had been kind to me of late, and after a few moments' reflection i determined to ask her ad- vice. This being settled. I 1e11' into -dliturbed sleep, tram which 1 dad ttq wake until time hell was ringing for breakfast. I met rum at the table, and key heart beat fast when I saw how anxiously he scanned tray hag- gard lace. "You us sick this morniug." he said, whe at last we were alone. Taking m hand he felt my quick- ened pulse, and continued, This must not be. Calm yourself down, tor I would not wish you 10 answer me under all this easitement.' Soon after this the left me. going down to the hotel where he had first stopped on his arrival at W—. As soon u he was gone 1 ought an in- terview with Mra. Lansing, to whom i confided the whole story of my for- mer love for D�"�r 1\C;lavtnn, and of my feelings now; -asking her td tell me as • friend what 1 should do.' 1 did not due look her in the face while 1 wai 1&iking, and when I had- fin ti- ed I waited with downcast eyes for her answer, which was characteristic of a woman who had never know what love was, save as she felt it Inc lar children. Do! Why, marry him of course. I should not hesitate a moment, for 'tis not every girl in your circum- stances who has an offer like that. He seems to be a perfect gentleman,-- ia certainly very fine looking is re- Aned, polished, highly educated, and has a good profession. What more can you desire?" Love for him," I replied; and she continued, "Pehaw' That will come soon enough, depend upon it. There are many happy marriages where one of the parties had at first no parti- cular affection for the other, ag t myself can testify. I respected Mr. Lansing, when I married him, but 1 did not love him, and our union was, i am confident, far happier than three-fourths of those where love is the ruling motive, for in nine eases out of ten they grow &ick of each other as faults and peculiarities are brought to light, of whose existence they had never dreamed. Take your own cane for an example. Suppose you had married Dr. Clnytnn when you fancied him so much, you would undoubtedly have been disgusted with him by this time, whereas, now that yeu know he is fallible, you can safely link your destinywith his feeling sure that in gootime the love you once had for him will return." I knew there was some truth in u went to Mobile. and they will prob- ably be married next autumn; hence, • you pee that the love you have pre - d sumed to feel for him would be use- ✓ lees, even were you his equal." d She started to leave me, but turned an ! back while she said, "I trust that r what I have told you will be kept a dor mant • secret, for Richard doee not wish to r have the matter discussed." d I nodded assent, and the nett mo- - ment I was alone with my sorrow, t which wee far easier to bear now that e uncertainty was made sure. So long Y as there remained • lingering hope - that my love for Mr. Delafield might ✓ possibly be reciprocated, 1 shrunk in d horror from marrying another. But e now that hope was swept away. for d I never thought of doubting Mrs. Lansing's word. and a kind of torpor s crept over me, suspending for a time g both my judgment and my will. "I will marry Dr. Clayton," I said, I and with that decision came a feel- ' ing of `ratified pride as I thought ' I should thus prove to Richard how little I cared for him! ' Ah, I knew not then that the heart ' 1 coveted enshrined no image save • that of "Rosa Lee," for whom Rich - t and Delafield would almost have lain down his life, so great was the love he bore her. He had readily divined 1 the object of the stranger's visit, and the thought that it might be success- ' fol was terrible. All the night long • he, too, had been sleepless. pacing g the length and breadth of his spa- • cious halls and murmuring occasion- • ally aa, peering out into the dark- • nese, he saw the glimmering light from the windows of Cedar Grove, "Ob, SaM, )Qose, how cats 1 give you up!" ' • Perhaps I am superstitious, but 1 cannot help fancying that as often as these a orde rang out on the midnight air the shadow was over aid around me. But alas! it faded and 1 was lett to do the rash act I meditated. With the coming of morn Mr. Delatleld rrew -cairn, for he had rerelved upuu au interviet. .th Rosa Lee, who, if It were not duo late, should know how much he loved her, and perhaps • (his heart thrilled with jvy as be thought it), perhaps she [night yet be won from that fancy of her child- hood. But first he would. if possible, learn from his sister how far mat- ters had progressed. He had seldom imparted W her his secrete, but he would speak to her now, for lie could not keep silent. She was seated at her work in her own room, when he entered, and with a feeling of alarm st his pale, hag- gard face, she started up, asking if he were ill. Motioning her amide, he said, abruptly, "It's of no use. Angeline, to deceive you longer. I loy a Rosa Lee, and if it were not for this accursed doctor. I should tell her so at once. Do you know aught of his intentions? Has he come to seek her for his wife?" Mrs. Lansing had now s double part W perform. The falsehood she had told to Rosa, made it necessary that she abould tell another to her broth- er, which she did more readily, for her proud nature revolted at the thoughts of receiving her governess as tfrtr-argument, but tt- fatted-te- eon= - vinee me, and I remained silent until Mrs. Lansing startled me with, "You in not of course love another?" 1 was taken by surprise•, end with - nut a thought of the result, f antiwar - ed "i do." "And that other?" she continued. fixing her eye* upon me. I know not what possessed me, hut power 1 could not rescst impelled OP to wiener, "1. your brother." She did not mend me from her prea- mrme with scorn and loathing as 1 bought she would- Nay, she did mot even speak, but for a time etoo d mute with aatoniihment. As I think .f that scene, i understand her bet- er, and I know that the truth, just a it was, dawned upon her mind, rad suggested the falsehood which a uttered. ing eloaely to me, ehe said, "1 gee why it is that elf my gov- eve fallen in love with my t such is the ease. 1 did ins Lee, that you were en exception, but ( find f am mistaken, which surprises me greatly, inasmuch as Im bee never paid you the sli ht - est attention, and even if he had, 1 o not umleretand how you eould think him in earnest. For years the orld has looked upon hie union wits da se sure, and though for certain easone i have sometimes opposed it. i am anxious for it now, and it be i ell that 1 am, for I suppose it is r shed thing." 1 held my breath Inc fear I should , OM a single word of what she should ay next Perhaps she was unused falsehnoda. Re that as 1t may, her j nice trembled alightly end she spoke urriedly as she .aid. . they are eat' aged-- ante live been aver does ab% Neal the will fetjew whim Ise later ane Meese; mother, link d A w a to v b g her sister-in-law. do, thinking any means excusable which would prevent so disgraceful a catastrophe, she an- swered with well feigned eurprtae, "1 am astonished at you, brother-asWn- iahed that • 1Jelateld should stoop so low aa to think of wedding a girl like Rosa Lee. You cannot, I think. be in earnest; but if you are, i am rejoiced that 1 have it in my power to tell you there is no hope. I have just left bliss Lee, who has made me her eonfldarrt, asking if I thought It would be contrary CO all rules Of propriety for her to marry Dr. Clay- ton so soon alter the death of his wife. It seems he has always pre- ferred her, and could you hear her tell how much she loved him, I am sure you would have no hope of win- ning her, even were she your equal." The wicked woman paused, are ing at her own wickedness; while her brother, burying his face in his handa, `maned aleud. It was an hour of bitter trial, for Rosa Lee alone had touched hie heart, and could he give her up lust as he had found how dear she was to bun? For a ,time the selfish nature of the man pre. veiled. and then 'there came • mo- ment of calmer reflection if Rose loved another, would it be right for him to near her happiness by intrud- ing upon her his affection? Should he not rather rejoice in knowing that she was happy with the man she had chosen, and if, henceforth, the world to him was dark and cheerless, might ha not occasionally gather a gleam of comfort from knowing that no shadow was serosa her pathway! Thus he reasoned ,and when has sister ven- tured at last to say, "You will not be foolish enough to talk with her," he answered, "No-ne--of course not"; then, with no visible sign of the fierce storm which had swept over him, save the extreme pallor of his face. he arose, and with a firm tread Went back to hie home, unconscious of tate tear -wet eyes which followed his re- treating footsteps, es !rom her win- dow Roaa Lee watched him with a despairing heart and benumbed facul- tiee. Not again that day was Cedar Grove gladdened by his preaencee.and when next morning he came as was his wont, 1 was the betrothed of Dr. Clayton, who, with joy beaming in every look, eat by my Ride, talking possible in the preparations for my to new- et the Ovum* me. nFetad-ma-«y, ;r,R.. perience in our projected European grand affair. and to which many of tour, for we were to visit the Old the village people were to be invited. World, and he teethed our marriage And go the day' wore nn during to be consummated at once, so we ( which i could hard) be said to ex - could 'ail the taut of June. In s int, no little did 1 realize what was measure i had dealt candidly with paveing around me. I dared not think; him, frankly acknowledging that the love 1 had felt for him in childhood was gone, but paying, as was true, that I respected him -yea, liked him, and if he was matisfied with that, 1 would be unto him a faithful wife, hoping that the affection of former years might ere long awake again in my heart- And he was content t.. take me tbus, hleaaung me for the utterance of wards whir), had made him to happy. invelmntarily I shrank from him. for I knew 1 was undeserving of such 1•111•1•111•••••••• devotion, and my conscience smote me Inc withliobliltg from him the knowledge o1 my love for Richard i),Infield. Rut, that was • secret I could not reveal, to 1 kept it to my- eelf, and with a kind of apathetic in- diRereniec listened while he depicted in glowing enlors the joyous future whirl he saw before him when 1 ehonild be indeed hie wife. He we,. going to New ()Henna on puniness, willed) would detain him for three nr four weeks, end am hie return he asked t.hnt the eeremnny might be performed, and 1 go with him to Meadow Rrook no his beide. "No, not so moon," 1 exclaimed. "Leave me my freedom a little long- er"; but Inc only smiled as he waiv- ed aside every ohjeetion and wren from me a prntniae that if Mrs. Lens- ing were willing, we would be mar - tied there as soon as he should re- turn from New (rleant, whither he would start the nest night. Either by ,desten or aoeident, Mrs. Lansingherself at that moment enter- ed the room, apologizing for the iu• trusion by saying ehe wanted a book which lay upon the piano Having secured Ute volume. ehe was about leaving, when, glancing at the doctor. she playfully remarked upon the azpreaslod of itis face, saying, she should udge his suit was progress- ing, andadding that he had her -good wishes for his success. Emboldened by her familiarity, Dr. Clayton at once preferred to her his wish that we might he made one under the shadow of her roof. we would make no trouble. he stud, as we wished for no display, simply a quiet ceremony. at which no one should be present save herself, her childrein, and her broh! Attthere mention of him 1 started as if smitten by a heavy blow, for I thought, "I cannot in his presence give myself to another"; and I used all the arguments of which I was mistress to induce Dr. Clayton to de- fer our marriage until we reached Meadow 'Brook. But to this neither he nor Mrs. Lansing would listen. Glad that I was thus out of her way, the latter seemed unusually kind, of- fering to give me a bridal party as a "testimony of her respect." Thua was I silenoed, while they arranged the matter as they pleased. it being fin- ally decided that the wedding was to take place immediately after th-• doctor's return, as he had first posed. So overcome and bewail,. was I with the exciting scene* through which 1 had pused, that, Orange as it may seem, 1 slept sound- ly that night, dreaming towards' day- break that 1 stool on the deck of a noble vessel, gazing upon a must glor- ious' sunset, whicth, however, had less charms for inc than did the ittaii at my side, whom I called illy husband, and whom 1 loved again as 1 had done long ago, when with ray free buried in the grass t.'ueeth the old grape -viler 1 hest *ilia--dyer--iiian- cuntustaucy. With the remembrautrr o[ tut dream still haunting me, jt was quite naral -that 1 aumld in. thg _morn-_ ing meet Dr. Clayton with more cor- diality of manner than i had yet evinced towards him. Quickly per- ceiving the chatter, he said, as Ile kirsrd tote learn - Anil for a brief moment 1, too, tin - clad that he was right -that i should love him -nay, that 1 was beginning to love him, when suddenly iu tke ,doorway appeared the form of one. ':ie very sight W whom curdled :my flood fur an instant, and then sent t bounding through my veins' It was Mr. Delafield. He had nerved himself to see rate, to stand face to face with his rival, and bravely did he meet the trial, bowing courteously to Dr. Clayton end smiling kindly down upon me as Inc bade me good 'morning. 1 glanced at him once and saw that his eye,. were riveted upon the plain band of gold, which en- circled my fourth finger. confirming6 the truth of what he had just heard from hie sister. est last, u if he would test his strength to the ut- most, he took my hand and said, as he slowly twirled the ring, which was rather large, "And so you are going from um ' I could not answer, nor was it needful that I should, for without waiting n -reply he placed my hand in that of De. Cleyton, and continued, "As a brother commits a dear sister to the care ui another, en commit I to your rare my Northern Rote, eharging you to watch tenderly over her, for tie not every one who win- neth such a treasure. ' Thu wait all he said; the next mo- ment he was gone, and when, Dr. Clayton, drawing me to his side, told me )IOW he would treasure up the words of my friend; i involuntarily shrank aw•ny, for the shadow was again mound me, and twin whieh way wean!, tt wTiispergTn ine hi an- other I ve-another heart, which 1 [rain wo d have rolled my own. That ni t Dr. Clayton lett w, and the very m niug after hie departure we were snrp ised by the appearance or Ada, who `tame unexpectedly to ere nit. "Ale wen tired of living with that old fideety Mrs. Johnson!' she -nit'. "and would tither come home." \tomb its Mrs. !Angieg liked Ada, ehe %mild rather she had stayed away until I was gone, for she was in inn=taint dread lest the faleehoo,i she hnd told me eoneerning her brother's engagement should in some nay be betrayed. But there was no help for it, and as one sin alwip-s calls for annther, an ,.he motif now eonjure up something with which to meet thy' emergency. Accordingly, Ada was told that "somehow or other I had received the impression that she was engaged to Mr. Delafield, and that it a its ea well to let me think so; for though 1 probably liked iyr. Clayton well enough. she ;Mrs. Lansing) fan- eied that i liked her brother better, and that if i enppoeed there wu the slightest chance of winning him, 1 would not heiit to discard the doctor." Very readily Ada fell in with the views of Mrs. Lansing, who pro further that they should continually ting in my earn the praised of my aftaneted husband, of whose virtues Ada was euppn'od to have heard from Mrs. Lansing; While at the same time, i was to be interested as much as or if 1 did, the tumult of thought whieh ernwded upon nip, seemed turn- ing my brain to fire, and when each morning i awoke from my unrefresh- ing 'lumber, it was always with the thought, "What i' it? This load which nppresee. me Ro?"-then, as the stern reality came up before me, i would bury my fere in the pillow and ask that i might die, and thus escape the livingdeath, which awaited me, and whicwas now but a week er two in the distance. (m at (ritrTINu RI)) Net Tee Lata, Not long after the great Chelsea fire some children In Newton, Masa., held a ebarfty fair by which 118 wax real- ised. Thin they forwarded to the rec- ta of a certain Rowton church who had taken a pinwilt pan In the re- lief work, with a letter whkh read somewhat an follows: We have had a fahr and made fan. W. ere mending It to you. Pleas. atve 1t t• the Chelsea sufferers. Yours truly, ear. 1' a. -we hops the suffering U not alt ever. --.-` Petty. f'te,y la not nn end, but a meane of attaining the highest degree of rniture b� perfect peer. of mind. 'tenets 1t is to ho observed that those who make platy an end and alm Is Itself for the roost pert became VeeedIea.-Qesefst► $$ZE OF BULLSEYE. It Verne According to Distance la Rifle *tooting. "A bulleeye Is a bul►seye" Ls an el Mission trequeuriy used to counectlou with ride ehuotlug, but those unfit *Liu with military rifle practice as at present couducted have little coo- ception of what is meant by a Wilsey, on the regulation targets. The ranges et which shooting now takes place are 200, 800, 500, 600, 800, 1100 and 1,000 yards. For tbess ranges three targets nreemployed. The first is target A, which is used at 200 and 800 yards. It is six feet tall and four fret In width, with a hullseye In the center eight lecher to diameter. This is surrounded by a rin•Io twenty six inches In diameter. Another Or, le le forty-six Inc lies In diameter. The hullseye counts 5, a shot In the inner circle 4. in the outer circle 8 and on the remainder of the target 2. The B target, wblcb l• used at 500 and 000 yards, is six feet square. It has a twenty inch bulteeye, and the brat circle Is thirty-seven incbea aid the second circle fifty-three inches to diameter. The value of the spots Is the bane as on the A target. The C target is used at 800, tak) art! 1.000 yards. This is rectangular lu shape, being ex feet high and twelve fret log. 11 Js dhlded Into three sec- tions by vertical lines three feet from earh end. Ju the center is a thirty-six Inch Wilsey' surrounded by a fifty- four Inch circle. A shot to the bolls - eye counts 5, between the bullseye and the 'rim of the circle 4, anywhere out- side of the (lisle, but within the six foot aqunre, 3, and at eitber end of the terget, but outside of the square, the shot counts 2 points. >- V • WHO OWNS THE AIR? Ancient Legal Maxim Says Man Owns Land "Up to the Sky." It 1e still a moot point whether or unt the flying of airships over private ptuperty may be opposed by due peoe- eas ,of law•, In England there Is an ancient max - lin embodied In the English common 'raw ;whkh wave, "lie who owns the Lind owhia 1t ap,$o skim." Thlq vanes tde rule, n legal authority polnts out, 'i na_ good today as ever It was and is fid of menacing atgnldemce to the irdhip builder. The effect of this rule Is to gave the owner of land the exclusive right to :he free enjoyment of the air over and above the four corners of his bolding. and any Interference with that enjoy meat, however apparently slight and harmless, constitutes a trespass, fo. which an nation may be brought_ Applications for Injunctions against airship owners and actions for trespass by aggrieved Indowners are not un likely proceedings In the near future. Direct to Western Canada. The Crnadian Pacific "Winnipeg Express," leaving Tomato at 10;15 p.m. daily, carries through standard and tourist sleeping cars for Winnipeg. the Northwest and Pacific ('ores. This is the only direct, through -car service to Western Canada. trains run the entire distance th rough Canadian tenitory, and the time mode is consid- erably faster Than by any other route. 35-31. Read all The Signal this we: k, .ss r. What Our Trade -Mark Means to You IT means that the flour con- tained in bags and barrels so trade -marked is decidedly whiter, a great deal stronger and more nutritious than other flours. It means that the flour haaheen properly aged to mature its full atrength. It mons "More bread and better Bread" and better pastry, tow. It means elimination of un- certainty—"your money back" if Purity fails to gin satire satisfaction. Cants more than the other kind, hut wy.trth the difference. PURITY FLEUR t\'estern 1..uh.da Flour, Mills Co., L,n,t0d. Meru AT tt•teeter°, .wN,ra. M, nsamr. , [NEW TELEPHONE 1iThe Bell Telephone 1'omnany of -Oanada is about to publish ■ new issue of the Official Teleph*ie Directory tar Ill. DISTRICT OF WESTERN ONTARIO. including OODERICH. Orders for new connections. changes of Aron names, changes of street addresses. or for dupli- rate entries should be handed in AT ONCE to (iso, PO&TYH, Local Manager SEEDS FREE A package of seed of the D. & H. Colossal White Sugar Beet will he given you free if you write for our handsome sew 1909 Catalogue. This beet grows to an immense size, is easily har- vested, and yields 1,600 to 2,000 bushels to the acre in ordinary soil. Makes cows yield more milk. Fattens bogs quicker. If preferred we will send you a package of our Russian Giant Let- tuce or Ostritch Feather Aster seed instead of the sugar beet seed. Write to -day and mane your choice, also mention name of tlua paper. Darch & Hunter Seed Co., Ltd., London, Ont. da..rr — --_ ..•f.eY,e — ams LEMON CREAM— The Dainty, Delicious New Treat HIDDEN between two crisp, berrtutifully;browned biscuits of unique design, its fairy-like cream, with a flavor Of pure demon jgi•�e. This is our Lemon Cream Biscuit—our New Creation. About 60 biscuits to the pound. AND the present remarkable demand will be still more greatly increased once you and other discriminating women have discovered its delicious quality. The daintiest biscuit t Perfectly correct t0 serve lit any social function. SCORMICK'S LEMON CREAHBjKUITS Pacwtwp at Laseoe. ee'ananry4• at atanrrr.i. Ottawa. fiematsn neem -tea .e,,.•.•re. C •,. .