CHAPTER XVIII.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 92, 7 March 1885, Page 4

CHAPTER XVIII.

PREPARATIONS. " Be strong to hope, oh, heart! Though day is bright, The stars can only shme Jn the dark night. Be strong, oh. heart of mineLook to war i the light "—A. Procter. "WiifißK?" Miss Vernell's smooth old face, ruddy as a winter apple, became downcast, perplexed. She pondered, then suddenly looked up, brightened. "Go to Evelyn Gage!" Vella shrank back. "To Philadelphia?" "Why not?" But still she hesitated. ' ' It seems so far. And Chicago is home—" uMy dearie, you must !" with oddly prompt decisiveness for submissive Aunt Dolly ; " you've got to. There are no two ways about it. You can't stay in Chicago. You may be sure the affair is the talk of the city. Go to your old gchool friend, and let Marc find you with her. When the nine days' wonder is a thing of the past, and you are Captain Tracy's wife, return. Plausible explanations will have been made, and the excitement blown over. Then to all inquirers you can be just a charming sphinx. You can smile and say nothing. " There was a great deal of worldly wisdom in the advice— more, perhaps, than the speaker knew. Smiles and silence beldom engender trouble or regret. Big tears rushed out on the girl's long lashes — gemmed them. Aunt Dorothy rose in alarm. " You're afraid ! To go alone ! it is a long journey, I don't wonder, but " " No, no, no !" springing to her feat and winking back the rebellious drops. "I'm brave again. I was a coward for just a moment. Voyle would never be— would he ? You see what a poor boy I make. My ' doublet and hose ' have not made a man of me. I'll go !" Her brave, sweet laugh was good to hear. "I knew you would. It is the safest thing to do. That's my own good Vella !" " We must go out and do some shopping first though. There are a few things I need. I can't wear this," pointing to the pretty daisy bonnet, " nor these," to the long tan kids. Miss Vernell's brow contracted. " There is danger, dear. Goodness only knows whom we may meet." " Oh, I shall not go in anywhere. I shall stay in the carriage while you go in and buy what I require." The door was cautiously opened— the corridor furtively scanned. Not a soul was in sight. They passed out, locking the door after them. They went down in the elevator and went out on Wabash Avenue through the ladies, entrance. Miss Dorothy went round the corner to Palmer House stand and hailed a hack. A quarter of an hour later it drew up before Gossages'. She alighted and went in. From behind the screening shade of blue silk Vella watched the procession sweeping by, the glad, sad, wretched, ennuied, overworked, wearied, eager, despondent procession of State street. There they went ! Such different hopes, plans, aims, ambitions —such different lives ! Such pettiness, such loftiness, such grand endeavour! There they went ! Loitering, sauntering, racing, striding, tripping, every soul on the broad crowded sidewalk treadingeach its desperate path— but all to the same city ! Suddenly the curtain dropped from the girl's fingers. She shrank back. Irreproachably costumed, with a cane jauntily carried, and a cigar between his teeth— Colonel Vernell passed— passed slowly. She could have thrust out her hand and touched him, so close to the carriage he went by. How long Aunt Dorothy was ! And how chilly it was growing ! When had Statestreet seemed so familiar and yet so drearily ropellant 1 Good hours she had spent here,

and among the groat, tempting, delightful stores, good, gay, happy hoars.— shopping, meeting friends, promenading, on her way j to the matinee, homeward bound, •• And now— now she was shrinking from sight, fearful of recognition, dreading the sight of a friend's faco, the sound of a wellknown voice. And all through no fault of hers, no wrong — none ! Ah, there was Aunt Dorothy at last ! She was laden with packages and quite out of breath. Sho gave the coachman the order and hastily entered. " Quick, my dear ! You must get on these things. Here, give mo your bonnet and gloves. There 1" thrusting thorn into tho valise. Vella hurriedly donned;the brown cloth hayelock, and began to draw on the long alligator- cuffed gloves. The carriage drew up at tho east side of the street. "You've a few minutes more to wait, dear. I must get you a less conspicuous hat— and a veil. Anything else? No. Well, I won't be long !'» And the brisk little lady was gone while she spoke. •' Drive round to the "Vienna," she commanded, as she re-entered. "Now put on this hat. It's pretty, isn't it ? Wonderfully becoming, too, I declare !" And it was. It was a modest little brown felt, almost covered with eoftly-shaded bird - breasts and wings. Daintily it enhanced the beauty of the swoot young face below. What matter? She was going away from home. She almost felt as if sho wore going in disgrace. Sho felt timid, nervous, disheartened. But she wouldn't let Aunt Dolly see it — she wouldn't! Why should she be so selfish as to make miserable tho dear old heart and head which wore doing their level best for her? Sho wouldn't - that was all tiere was about it ! So she laughed out in her own gay, eoft way, and said that Aunt Dolly had tho judgment of a modiste and tho taste of an artist, and she was sure Evelyn would want a hat and havelock just like hers, and thut of all the dear, blessed aunties that ever lived this very identical one was tho goodest, and (here was a kisa to prove it !