The Widowed Bride — page 27: what you’re looking at

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18 THE WIDOWED BRIDE. long days with me in the cottage under the beeches, you and ~ Ernest, and mamma.” | ‘Tt is all ready for us, Antonia,” said Mr. Hunsworth, relieved to perceive that the momentary shadow had passed away from his fiancee’s fair brow, ‘‘and I am going down to-night for the last look before it is consigned to old Smithson’s care, until we return from our wedding trip to claim it. J have had the boudoir ceiling decorated in lilac and gold to suit your taste, and Lady Glenhampton has insisted on filling the conservatory from her own stock of plants.” ‘“‘Because I know which flowers Antonia loves the best,” said the countess. ‘‘I shall miss her sorely, Mr. Huns- worth; but you have the best right to her now, and it would be of little avail to keep Antonia here with An- tonia’s heart gone.” They talked idly on, now of one thing and now of an- other, and when Mr. MHunsworth finally took his -leave Antonia Clive had forgotten her momentary depression and was light and gay as any sunbeam. “You will not walk down to the cottage with me, An- tonia?” he asked, holding her hand in his, with a linger- ing touch of tenderness. ‘‘Not to-night; I have so many things to do,” she an- ewered, smiling. ‘*You will be here early to-morrow morn- ing?” | ‘‘As early as I can get away from red tape and parch- ment bundles.” | She passed out on the marble-flagged terrace with him, and they parted in genuine lover-like fashion. And, as he went down the broad flight of flower-garlanded steps, he turned and waved his hand to her, gayly, in the dim starlight. wey - How little Antonia Clive dreamed that she should never look upon his living face again! | - He walked hurriedly on through the dusky shadows of the park. ‘The cottage which was being prepared for his bride’s future home was some little distance from Glen- hampton, and he wished to give it one last survey that night. Naturally enough his mind was full of pleasant thoughts and fancies, as he strode lightly along, little reck- ing of the progress of time until he was suddenly startled comicbooks.co