Stella Rosevelt — page 301: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“7 LOVE AIM STILL.” 205 his heart as she lay against it, and noted the quiver of his pale lips as he hung over her and begged her to assure him that she was unharmed, she knew that he was no longer what she had hitherto regarded him—merely a kind and congenial friend. Those signs she had interpreted in a way to make her feel very grave and deeply troubled. She felt that he regarded her with feelings which she knew it would be impossible for her ever to return, and she feared he was cherishing hopes which, if not ‘‘nipped in the bud,” might ruin his whole life. His every look and act since that day had told her as plainly as words could have done that he loved her, and she was con- stantly trying to think of some way to make him discover how hopeless his passion was without bringing matters to a crisis, But this was not to be. One evening they all went for a walk in the park, where they spent an hour listening to the music and strolling about. As they were returning, Ralph succeeded in securing Star as a companion; perchance his sister knew his design in so doing, and aided him by asking Mr. Rosevelt for his arm and making herself as agreeable as she could to him. _**Come this way,” Ralph whispered, leading the fair girl down a path at right angles to the one they had been traversing ; ‘“‘we shall all meet at the gate;” and Star could find no reason- able excuse to offer, although her heart beat ominously at the request. The evening was delightfully cool and pleasant, the air fra- grant with the perfume of many flowers, while the music in the distance lent its own enchantment to the place and hour. It was just the time for Cupid to be busy with his arrows, and Ralph Meredith felt that it was an opportunity not to be lost, and governed himself accordingly. ‘‘ Miss Gladstone,” he said, abruptly, after a rather awkward silence, ‘‘I am obliged to return to New York to-morrow.” GOmiGbooks (EO)