Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 2.djvu/46

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��LOVE WINS LOVE.

��LOVE WINS LOVE.

��BY HELEN M. RUSSELL.

��" Good-bye, Josephine. You will not forget our pleasant companionship of the past few weeks, will you, little friend?"

The summer sun was just going out of sight behind the tall hills which rose far above the little red farmhouse covered with climbing roses and clematis, and its last rays lighted the tops of the tall trees in the distance, while the entire valley rested in the shade of the approaching evening. Afar off the call of the cow boy sounded, ringing out upon the still- ness with a monotony that grated harsh- ly upon the ear of the stylish young man who leaned so lazily against the fence that enclosed Farmer Granger's neat lit- tle home. His black eyes were fixed searchingly upon the sweet face of a young girl who stood just inside the gate- way, one slender hand resting upon the gate, which stood open. At his words there had been an eager, upward glance of the brown eyes, which dropped be- neath the piercing look of her compan- ion. Slowly the color faded out of the perfect face, and a slight shiver passed over her slender form, but only for a mo- ment—then she raised her head proudly and half defiantly as she replied ;

" Indeed, Mr. Courtney, I cannot promise. Of course I shall not entirely forget, but time, you know, changes ev- erything so completely that we cannot be sure of anything. In one month you will have forgotten that there is such a place as Glenville or Glen Cottage and its inmates. Is it not so?" 11 Forget you, Josie? Never!" was - the answer, a ring of falseness in the low tone as he replied.

" I prefer to be called Josephine, Mr. Courtney, and I do not wish you to make any rash promises." a laugh coming from the sweet lips as easily as if the little heart beating so rapidly was not filled with the keenest pain.

��" How can you be so cruel to me, Jo- sephine? Have I indeed been mistaken in thinking that you have enjoyed our companionship, even as I have? Oh, Josephine, you do not realize how your sweet face will haunt me as I go out from your presence into the world again."

There was a little truth in these words, and for the moment he really regretted the pastime which had been such cruel sport, and which had resulted in his win- ning the love of this sweet country lass, Josephine Granger. He knew she loved him, despite the coldness and light-heart- edness she had assumed.

" Walk with me as far as the elm, will you not?" said he, turning slowly away at length.

" Certainly, Mr. Courtney, if you wish ; although I might as well bid you good- bye here, I suppose," said Josephine, as she passed out through the gateway, bringing it shut behind her.

The road wound along beside a small river on the one side, while on the other rose the tall hills previously mentioned. There was a sad murmur in the music of the river this evening which Josephine had never noticed before. The twitter of the birds annoyed her; and the low- ing of the cows, homeward bound, sounded, for the first time in her life, dis- agreeable. The sun had gone out of sight, leaving shadows in its place, just as the sunshine of her life was departing. She had been so happy here in her coun- try home, content to perform her tasks without a wish for what lay beyond her humble sphere. Six weeks ago, Lee Courtney had presented himself at Glen Cottage and desired board for two weeks. The two had multiplied themselves into six, however, and now a summons from his father, in the form of a telegram, had caused him to pack up his effects with-

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