People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 July 1896 — CHAPTER XXIV. [ARTICLE]

CHAPTER XXIV.

AN IMPORTANT INTERVIEW. “A lady to see you, ma’am, on business,” announced’ Rose. “She said she wouldn’t give her name, ma’am, as, if she did. you wouldn’t know it.” . Rose was so startled by the unu»u<*i event which she announced, that she-made the communication in a sort of awed whisper. ari d etared at her young mistress in astonishment. “The first visitor in more than six months!’’ she murmured. “I’d given up expecting te see any!” Dolly was quite as mudh surprised and even more ilurried—the poor Jittl- wife’s health was not so strong as formerly, a small matterjexcited and fatigued her now. “Whocan’she be, Rose?” she whispered, ly“A beauty, anyways” opined Rose. “She’s that*bandsome and that proud and that richly dressed that’s she’s a sight to see. She asked for Mrs. Vernon, pat enough; maybe she's some relation of the master’s ma’am.” That suggestion fluttered Dolly worse than ever., “Oh, if Cyril were only home!” she cried, ?‘or even Fred!” Poor child! Fred was nearer at hand than any of them dreamed of, as she afterwards learned to her cost “I wouldn’t go down at all if you don’t feel able,” said faithful Rose. “I’ll tell the lady you’re sick.” “Cyril might be angry,” said Dolly, hesitating iy“But if you mean to see her, ma’am, I wouldn’t keep her waiting,” Rose went on. Finally Do’lly went down. She paused a moment at the parlor door, then entered, with a wildly beating heart. May had been waiting with what patience she might, her naturally ardent temperament and self-reliant mind urging her to get this unpleasant business over as quickly as possible. “It is of .no use to arrange beforehand what I shall say to her,” she thought, “that must depend upon circumstances. Ido wish she would qpme.” The wish was granted almost as it was expressed. Softly and timidly the door opened and'a little white robed figure glided in. Neither of the ladies spoke at first. Dolly after one swift, wistful, pleading glance at' her unknown visitor, cast down her eyes; while May —with a world of honest womanly sympathy expressed in her lovely, animated face—examined her hostess keenly and understaudingly.

What did she see? More in one jninubethan the timid creature’s lips would have tbld her in two hours. A young girl, delicate and pure, not strong, not happy, not bright and hopeful, ’ as youth should be, even in its hours of trial—but timid, shrinking and cast down. A beautiful fiower-like face, though somewhat pale and worn, framed in a floating radiance of golden hair; pleading blue eyes, to which the tears sprang but too easily, and a languid, graceful, form that might rather be guessed at than criticised. because of the long, loose flowing robe that enveloped and half concealed it. In short a wife, whether legally or not ; a wife, neglected and sorrowful; a woman, approaching the great crisis of a woman’s life; young, inexperienced, unadvised, unprotected, weighted down by fears—poor in hopes, and oh, how sad of heart! I have told you this by the slow medium of words and pen. but May’s informants were her sharp eyes and warm heart. That heart yearned toward the gentle, friendless creature whom she supposed so foully wronged. Dolly’s listlessness and languor touched her keenly. Rising quickly from her chair, which chanced to be Cyril’s favorite easy one, she drew it forward and impulsively laid her hand on Dolly’s arm. “Pray sit here,” she said, with infinite gentleness of tone and manner. “Dqn’t‘‘stand; you are not well I’m sure.” Dolly started and gazed into her eyes. What she saw there I cannot tell, but the quick tears sprang into her own. Her pale cheeks crimsoned with a sudden, innocent shame. She clasped her hands and uttered a little cry. Next minute May’s arms were round her; she was placed gently in the easy chair. Her golden head lay pillowed tenderly and close upon May’s pitying breast. Few words passed betwen them at first, May devoting herself to the task of consoling and soothing, Dolly yielding contentedly to the sweet and somewhat rare experience of being sympathized with and caressed. At last May caught the young wife’s little left hand in hers, hud softly laid a finger on the wedding-ring. . “Where did he marry you, dear?” she asked gently. Continued on Second Page.