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noo¢§¢0o¢o§o¢§¢ '§6§$§¢¢¢" O gran i By Laura Jean LibDOY- 9 Womwmw» s-_ _..l 1.. v-.. n. was late when Aurelia. put in an appearance; she cam. dancing in- to the old kitchen like a. veritable sunbeam. and before nightfall every. body about the farmhouse had de- clared it was quite a diflerent plan since Miss Aurelia. had come back. Gay, variable as April sunshine, all felt the subtile influence of her pres- ence, and worshiped her on sight. cuw, mu --v-_â€"-_r-_ __ It. pleased Margaret to see her idolized. but her pleasure was mixed with one great fearâ€"would Gerald's heart go out to beautiful Aurelia. $8 the hearts of all the others had, gone out to her? And the pale lips murmured over and over again: ”Heaven will keep him true to me ---he is all I have.” That night passed much as the previous one, and again on the mor- row Margaret rose early, for this was the day of Gerald's return. He would reach the farm early in the afternoon. 3 L_LL “J Lu uvvu- The noon meal was over, and both girls rose from the table simultaneâ€" ously. . A- A- -.:L‘In UUJAJ - . “What are you gomg toâ€" do with yourself, Margy, to kill time?” queried Aurelia. -“Iâ€"â€"I have something very im- portant to do,” replied Margaret. with a. deep blush. - .7 ____‘ _‘ "I think I'll take a. book and go dowxx to the orchard and read," declared Aurelia; adding, petulantly: 1'1 think it would make me desperate to live this kind of a. life, Margy- I should die of ennui. I have only been here two days, but it seems two years." ”If you'd busy yourself with work like your sister does, you wouldn't find time hanging so heavily on your hands," said Mrs. Romaine. sharp- 1:56‘- mu3, own“ ---â€"â€" _,-_. little 1y, looking at the petulant? beauty over the rim of her specta- The lovely red lips curled scorn- fully. , "Margy loves to work; I don’t," said Aurelia, 'tossing back her dark, curly head; "and, every one to her iancy, Aunt. Romaine. I like ' a. butterfly literâ€"I don't see why I wasn’t born oneâ€",resting on rose- leaves, flitting about in a. sunshiny world, that is full of laughter and leisure.” ,1--- -A. ‘VJA’M. ~- “You are just about as useless as onel my dear,” declared Mrs. Ro- maine, adding, emphatically: “B ok- learnin' may be a good thing, ut. all the fine schoolin' you gotâ€" and it cost a heap o’ moneyâ€"hain't put. much sense in your head, that’s cer- tain. The idea of a. sensible young woman wishin' she had been born a. butterfly! Good Lord! Who ever heard 9' the like!” “I thought you said that, I was not sensible." said Aurelia, with a. - ....‘- 1-...vk And ”Wu y VA-v _-__e_ “I thought you said that. I was not sensible.” said Aurelia, with a. , malicious little laugh. And with this parting shot she caught up her book and sun-hat, and danced merrily out of the old farmhouse kitchen, in the direction of the or- chard that lay beyond. Heanwhile Margaret Walked slowly through the waving corn-fields, in nu main road. WW washes the m m W iq LEVER mamas uun‘m m0} chard man my w; w.-. Heanwhile Margaret Walked slowly l through the waving corn-fields, in the. direction of the main road. There was an old-fashioned stile, yhich separated the farm from the road, and when Margaret reached this she paused. “I shall not have to Wait long,” murmured, glancing eagerly- at the sun-dial hard by; “Gerald will be here very soon now.” EVen as she spoke she caught sight. at a. moving figure in the dim disâ€" She knew, she felt by the heart began to beat, that way her e watched and it was be for whom Sh waited. .l AL--- m;1nfl in the waited. It was quite three miles to the station, but Gerald Romaine Would bane laughed at the idea. of sending the buggy over to him; five times mt. distance would hnvo has:- 2‘“‘- red lips curled scornâ€" “How dearly 1 to heme". the 5 her lips: "MW knows.’ 9| By the time (‘ 2! preached, {he fly ‘uu ‘1 on By the time Gerald Romaine ap- proached, the flush had faded from he: face. the wild heart‘ beats had died dow:xâ€"-only the SWeet. rare smile remained on her faceâ€"the same quiet smile that always greeted him. ‘flugaretw he exclaimed. hurry- ing eagerly forward. "finding -"°‘[ here to welcome me is indeed a sur- prise.” He had gained her side, and, stooping down, laid his lips lightly. carelealyt upon the white forehead of the {air face upturned to him. and clasped in both of his her ex- 33" | tended hand' . -' aâ€"uâ€"au -â€" EFB T? 3"? 5' 000000000 #_,._:kln chat YOU “‘8 Thu «dvgncim .fiuum came tor him to haw Walked. could aid. am. The girl's face flushed and paled‘ uld she clasped her hands nervously over her heart to stop its wild. glad throbbiflg‘ __ . ,,,I__ 1 \Avn hi!“ 0 she Said Margaret and Gerald walked on. hand in hand, together in their utter silence, for a moment. "You wanted to talk to me, Marâ€" gy,” he said smilingly, “but you «am in no hurry to begin." a“; -n -n mm in no nuny u; "‘9- “I wanted to tell you first of all, Iia. has come.” she Gerald, that Aure by sweet eyes »- to said, raising her 5 his. - -u‘- an Shfi must! have," said Gerald. ' ; nun..- .. __ tuany forgot to ask yon upon}. it. â€"â€" 0‘ course you are dens-nau- .9 ....~ her with you again. But 1 do hope," he went on carelessly, “that her coming will not interfere with our pleasant rambles; you an: so devot- ful and true to me,” thought Mar- garet, looking up at the silent heav- ens; she had forgotten that he had he pursuedâ€"“young girls just home from boarding school always imagine themselves that â€"- and farm life will be dull for her. Is she looking well?" themselves nun. ..__, will be dull for her. Is she looking well?" “You shall soon judge for self,” said Margaret, wistfully. your- 10 you about, favor to ask of you, which you must gran}; and without asking my rea- n. “Consider the promise given be- forehand, Margaret; you know you could ask no favor that I would not grant it it lay within my power," Still she hesitated. “You know you may speak to me freely, Margaret," he added earnest- lyâ€"“why do you hesitate?" “I am afraid my request will seem strange, Gerald," she {altered â€"â€" "but Iâ€"Iâ€"Want you to promise com- pliance with that which I askâ€"sim- z‘You arouse my aux-ma”, "v..-" fully. Margy," he declared. “It is only this which I Want you to promise me. Gerald," she said. the color coming and going swiftly on her checks, “that you will not. let Aurelia. know of our betrothal just yet. Promise me, Gerald, that. you will not. I have made the same , p,AL--. and “anther. see his face , to be sure, so sne muav said Gerald. “I declare I ao- ’nrzot to ask yog 911303}. gt: -â€" I’ll-5 early I love him." she said the smile deepening on “how much. only noun-n -got to ask yog 91903}. n. â€"â€" you are dens-nan- " 2.2: you again. But 1 do hope," on carelessly, “that her rill not. interfere with our rambles; you arg. so devot- CH {Irma VI. e me, Gar 8.169 that ave made the same father and mother. e no they have gofihiflg abet“ she must. 3’0 U sangsauslyvm" ~ , “Yes.” she “in‘mvered tromuloush. and the little‘h‘md ‘that he still hold clasped in his. trembled slight- ly.» - “Come around by the orchard and I will present you to Aurelle; she is regains there under the trees: you know she has not soon you since you were a boyâ€"she Would not remember walk-come. Gerald.” ot Just yet, Margaret.” he sold. quickly; "why. I have hed hardly o moment to talk to you: I want to tell you of my trip to New York. and the result of it.” ‘ They walked up and down together an hour under the trees. while he told her of his hopes and future plans. and that. Heaven help her. . . U..n-..l k‘eoh n. "nrn‘fi‘t. plans. ullu \lluv. --_ was the happiest hour 0! Margaret. Lancaster's life. As Gerald talked ‘0 her. her hopes rose like a [any air-ship. Ah. how mud she had been to let the cruel cloud 0! doubt. over- cast her shy even tor a momem. He would be loyal to her to the heart‘s “He hm! newer ahmyh ‘mgeh Mom . in man "He mm mm mm ammo“ vol amnion. not his mum to 5 null. he must love h an“ haw «\ m‘ ! young gm whom he ms“ aha Enid ‘“ '1 girl DCIUIV unnu- He saw a. slight. girlish form in a pink mull dress. sanding under an old apple tree; her‘ lace ‘Wus turned slightly towud them. and her two arms-white, rounded. and bountiful -â€"trom which the pink sleeve fell half way, were upreised, and the little white fingers were breaking on sprays of white blossoms iron: the dam. drooping boughs: -'â€" -uu fr. \‘Q‘ed Aurelia. took a red lips parting as she held out 1 She gave him on great wineâ€"dark. “a... -v w. the matter. he flung himself stralgnt- way at the beauty's feet. “Sit down, Margy," said Aurelia. in her sweetest voice, "while Gerald and I chat over old times. I suppose it is the proper thing to doâ€"to call you Gerald. Mr. Romaine sounds so awfully formal.” "Do call me Gerald," he cried. eagerly, and he had to check him- self from adding impulsively: "The 1 name never sounded so sweet on wo- ’ man's lips before."~ i He seemed to quite forget that Margaret was standing there. "Do sit down, Margy." repeated Aurelia, gayly; and, although Ger- ald did not second the invitation, Margaret sat down. ! An hour passed, and still the Con- versation was kept up between Ger- - ald and Aurelia with unflagging inâ€" | terest. Once or twice Gerald turned to Margaret with some commonplace ' remark, but at one bright smile; ‘ from Aurelia he instantly forgot her Ab, he never looked at her with eyes like that, nor was his manner so impassioned or eager. This was a l phase of Gerald's nature that was ‘ new to Margaret. Still, for all that. she made excuses for him in her { thoughts. No Woman liked to be- lieve that her empire over the heart I she craves and which in time past has loved her, is completely over. ; No, she will not bring herself to be lieve it until the knowledge is forced upon her. ‘ Margaret tried to convince herself that Gerald was trying to make u--." meeable to Aurelia for u Iva- __ - I ' Margaret tried to convince ucrseu that Gerald Was trying to make himself agreeable to Aurelia for from the farmhouse, that Mrs. Ro- maine Wanted her. 1 Aurelia arose at once, shaking the white blossoms from her lap, tossing them all in a shower over Gerald, with the sweetest, gayest laugh in the world. and hurried away, leaving Gerald and Margaret sitting there alone. - Would he turn to her eagerly, glad that they were alone together again? No; his eyes followed the slim, girl- ish form flitting over the clover mea- doW. and his whole heart Was in that gaze: and there was a. dreamy. mus- ray‘ wine-do; I IV‘ :ed up and down together der the trees, whih he of his hopes and future that. Heaven {a}? her. _,‘ -_AA nd by the orchard and you to Aurelia; she is under tho from: you not soon you since you us would not remember “I: not Aux-cue. heautu salted. ‘ "A: beautiful as e poem the very embodiment. of gt: lines,” he declared, and a: his cheeks mulled, and hi: dlcd again. ”How strange to me. Umnret." he wen lngly. "that you and Au: ‘ twin sisters; you are no A than sunshine 99d shadow ulv. -uâ€" ... ”WW. ”thatâ€"Sou and Aurel“ or. twln slaters; you are no 13.10" m‘ than sunshine and shadow. "Which is like shadow. Gerold?" she naked in n low voice. lie looked had [really confused; the words sprung from his lips unconsclously. "Your sister la like lhe restles- sunshineâ€"you me like the cool. Iml. restful shade. She in so guy on would moliae she won but e Maximo-a schoolgirl or aehmleel. you are so wineâ€"m calm-30 penal- Mhm Ah. ML mm lollow up eon}- "Your aisler 13 mm we sunshineâ€"you «me like t tweet. restful shade. She in on. would mum she was Madmen «human! 0! at you are so Mmeâ€"Io calmâ€"4 Nunâ€"- Ah. we“. why tollow who“. when mm are no puma: when both we so each m her own mm Come. R. m no 30 mm um how “mom almqnfism“ l-A In 0“ \M ‘9“ “0M 0! Am “m 7 A was: mm “a my “56! A“M\ to mu an. no Emmi» mm vim than. «a an hour um Mined mm but Q mm!- m Mm“. “This.“ said Gerald. I.h0 rand from them that night. "has been 0!. happiest day at my life." Ann-din blushedâ€"Margaret‘l he. Aurelia NW row as white as he clamberinx Vii dowl "Margaret." cried Aurelio. when the two girls found themseh'eo elone together that. night. "how does it. happen that. in describing Gerald Ro- maJne to me. you never told me how very egreeable he was ” smile. "I wonder. too," Aurelia went. on. “that knowing such ;; man. you hoVe never fallen in low with him. You must be as unlmpressionablo as man'- ble. But then. perhaps; he is not. your ideal.” ”Is be your ideal?” asked Hangar ct. quickly._ ‘ .. w I “‘-- ‘ An .nv v et. (lulu J. “I like him better than anybody I have seen so far," declared Aurelio. "but I cannot say whether I should like him well enough to marry him-â€" or not." "He is suite to do that very soon. declared Aurelia. laughing soft laught "Why, Margy. i161. see?" I. vâ€" V notâ€"Sn could not. believe it. For long hours alter the rest of tho mmtes of. the {armhouse war. ”- leep. Gerald Romaine paced the o!- churd to and fro, smoking his cigar "I cannot imagine what. is comin‘ over me," he muttered. impuuntlgi at. wu wrapped like a. mantle e. t his heart to the first throb 1 real love his heart. had ever own, as he stood there transfix- ed in \ the orchard. his eye- riveted Ior the first time upon the glorious beauty of Aurelie. Lance:- himself that it was because he wu td’ be her futureâ€"brother. When he closed his eyes in deep that night his last. thought was of Aurelia-when he opened his eyes the'next morning, he found her name on his lips-he had been dreaming of . “"1-.. A- -nrl n0. "Cl . The summer days glided on, and at, Romaine Farm a strange drama. in real life was being enacted. Two hearts were blithe and gay enough-â€" and one wee~ breaking“ There was no more rambles alone over the pink clover fields for Get- ald and Margaret. for he was aJWayu anxious that Aurelia. should come with them. and Margaret wrapped herself in a mantle of pride. making no complaint. One incident happened at last that ,chauged the whole course of the thrcc'lives of those who were drift;- ing on so swiftly and so Burely to the brink of a precipice. and “hap- pened in this way: a . V They had gone out for a. row on Ethe water one moonlight nightm , 4:...- mu 5’ {at Aurelia’s ll‘u m‘mk \o the home In MM‘u-ammm but Mme- CHAPTER Vll. ulv vâ€" '~-._ oi- the first time' upon tho beauty 01 Aurelia. uncan- ught it. was admiration that. :hrough his heart with such ic shook; he never dreamed aveâ€"he would never have L- mnn‘r‘ hAVB m MW Hg beautiful? ear-Maltafiv‘ he. as the white rose- on vines outside the ‘13- ho hims'ou up and down under the himself what could b0 0! these strange sensar u: taken 1308566310n °’ g poet’s dream- t. of girlish luv.- nnd a: he 3110“. am his eyes kin- :tmnao it seem! he went. on IN" "one out for a row on re moonlight night,and succntinu thaw In.“ use one 0! UN that had MM! p8. She touch- md that can}? sh. Ho w.- their an! m a; mu. mama 465 the rim dd out. in mid-m. "mt A mun:- Eden “ cried Au- relia. springin out of t‘xc boat, dio- wnlnz Coral 'a onset hand; “whu. . dnlhrhtfnl spot. {or n picnicâ€"do let. . doughuul spot for a i u- explou it.” "Not. truism." add (”Lumim mush 5h. micht w "Sit down Ind .t." wd Gordan Aurel“ 13 lo “I had. 1 will show an." rant." u'ound. find-“d tutored Hymn"?- "Ya. .mu not I t not down 1191 Ito». uni It. cu not um OI Mr W. laughing v lo» In the alumna that W! I.) to the run a! to: grid. lush. her (are \N odd “one mm «mm but Mu. heart would I m was human. in 1 "all: Wag W‘" .â€" . w m. we end . MN MW! mu! '5. w \u MRI was W‘N.W‘.““ "Rind W “MN I“ it? “MI the d whu‘beenduhedm WNW! delusion Md! w“.. ,u___-:.. ah- m MW?! In her dapuir she realized how much , loved him as she knelt veep'm‘. brokemheart- becauae Aural“ had the brightness o! the stars in .3 go 3 5' 21 than neglected. stretchin‘ out. her sun: to empty air? An hour penned slowly by. endyet another dragged its slow length along. and yet Gersld end Aurelio. hnd not returned to her. Margaret was terrified at being left so long alone, end called aloud to them at length. Surely they would heu- her voice wherever they were. the le- lnnd-wu not so large, but only the echo 0! her own voice eune back to her. Again she called to them. but. this was but a. cruel jestâ€"ii they in- tended it (or thatâ€"to wane her. She made a. tour of the entire ls- lend. calling them as she hurried along. At last she reached the spot where the boot had been tied. One glance. and then a. great cry 0! terror broke from her sshen lips â€"- l the boat was gone! She threw up her white hands, and, without n mom, sunk dowu on the very brink of the tide-washed sends in a. deep mint. 'Slowly the tide rose, creeping nearer end nearer to the stark, white. upturned face. framed in its pole, curling hair. It would not be long ere those curling, feathery waves would creep over that still. white face. and shut it out from ‘ '- ’-- ---â€"â€"¢nr nu lune. ‘Slowly the tide rose. creeping we? and nearer to the stark, white. upturned face. from“ in its pale, curling hair. It would not be long ere those curling, leathery wove: would creep over that. still. white lace. and shut it out iron: the sue of the pltying moonâ€"(or the voter was rising higher and higher. Owing to the recent heavy {resheu thereabouu. the river, we: man. It was no unusual thing {or the lit- tle island to be completely submerg- ed for doyfl ct. this season of the year ' But to w “a Augelia land. 1m every be until at. rough. ll eVery beautilul nook a until at last she grew tired of the rough, uneven paths. “1! you would but. lean on me. Aurelia." he breathed. gently. sit down here and rest. awhile. and let me talk to you.” “There is the boat. down then ; I would rather sit. in that." she uns- wered. W.-- ‘AA anon!" to obey I; mum two sh“ W cadâ€"and lav. m be"? " 19 return to Go ht.” “id u?r‘mt. u! mush!- In" “M. 100. . with my heart. Pu!” "W was not until the count! hashing voles were num- that m nvg ”â€"7 onlight. and watch her beautiful face. and “w mite hands trailins idly he waters in which the need a golden as in ht sky overhead which 1mm. Her beauty fairly too eager to obey In helping 1361' crald Romaine [d we will {cw yards l; a. you law- Start the new year with a Set of New Robe and a Nice String of Bells. On Saturday. the 16th 0! January, we Harness, 3 set Nickle Trimmed and 3 se $8.00, for $12.00. _ _ an .4 ..... ‘ar Q! In for 8 Cutter Foot for 25¢. Robs. We intend to take stock February xst. anxious to have all add lines cleared out by the following lines you will find reduced prices. special v Dress Goods, Waist Ends, Wrapperettes. Heavy Frieze suitable for Overcoating, Winter Trousers, Robe Lining, etc.; Men's Overcoats, Men’s Suitiugs, Men’s and Boys’ Ready- made Suits and Overcoats; Ladies’ Dress Skirts and Under- skirts; Men’s and Boys’ Long Boots, at less than half original price; Crockery, short ends in Carpet. Floor Oils, ind other articles too numerous to mention. Call and get prices. .J. WETHERUP n- _ A41 III-Ala." CAP Sumx ‘nd PGCI- S‘s LARGE DISCOU NT OFF 50“ AG!!! FOB comma A Full um of Trunks a BIPAIIIRG NIA‘ILY AND P] Box “5. . CAMPBELL’S, Woodville ORDERS Mats, regular $1.50 for SLOO. Bells, Blankets. and Coats at 11" AN}! trioâ€"bacco and Cigars. -rs Personally Attended U Haddie, Snaux' and Pqel- lumen reduce not smnhcfim “'0'...” Jam" 3:! 190“ hm pawn “‘ hvikd to bull ad inst-M of New Harness, a C HARNESS COMPANY we will sell 6 set of Single set Bufls, regular price :: bargain Prices- lâ€"uflâ€" FOR CASH. Chestnuts