"You have been crying, Adelaide," said Marion. "It's no use either
denying it or turning your head so that I cannot see you. What is the
matter?"
"I wish you had not come here, Marion. I did not want you to know my
trouble."
"But I must know it," and the girl's arms were clasped around her. She
stooped down and kissed the treacherous face. "I must know it," she
continued, impetuously; "when I say must, Adelaide, I mean it."
"I dare not tell you--I cannot tell you, Miss Arleigh. It would have
been well for my brother had he never seen your face."
"You have heard from him, then--it is about him?" and the fair face
flushed.
"Yes, it is about him. I have had a letter from him this morning. He
says that he must give up his appointment here and go abroad--that he
cannot bear the torture of seeing you; and if he does go abroad, I shall
never see him again."
The lips that had been caressing her quivered slightly.
"He is all I have in the world," continued the governess; "the only
gleam of light or love in my troubled life. Oh, Marion! if he goes from
me--goes to hide his sorrow and his love where I shall never see him
again--what will become of me? I am in despair. The very thought of it
breaks my heart."
And Miss Lyster sobbed as though she meant every word of it. The heiress
bent over her.
"What can I do to help you? I am so sorry, Adelaide."
"There is only one thing you could do," replied the other, "and I dare
not even mention it.
Pages:
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32