She looked up at her quondam guardian, as he stood, grave and silent, regarding his niece with sadly anxious eyes; and, as she noted the stern inflexibility of his sculptured mouth, she thought that he stood there a marble monument, recording the misery of an ill-assorted marriage.  But it was schooltime, and she approached to say “good-by,” as the bridal pair took their seats in the carriage.  Pauline seemed much troubled at bidding her adieu; she wept silently a minute, then, throwing her arms around Beulah’s neck, whispered pleadingly.

“Won’t you go back to Uncle Guy?  Won’t you let him adopt you?  Do, please.  See how grim and pale he looks.  Won’t you?”

“No.  He has ceased to care about my welfare; he is not distressed about me, I assure you.  Good-by.  Write to me often.”

“Yes, I will; and in vacation Ernest says you are to come up and spend at least a month with us.  Do you hear?”

The carriage was whirled away, and Beulah walked on to her schoolroom with a dim foreboding that when she again met the beautiful, warm-hearted girl sunshine might be banished from her face.  Days, weeks, and months passed by.  How systematic industry speeds the wheels of time!  Beulah had little leisure, and this was employed with the most rigid economy.  School duties occupied her until late in the day; then she gave, every afternoon, a couple of music lessons and it was not until night that she felt herself free.  The editor of the magazine found that her articles were worth remuneration, and consequently a monthly contribution had to be copied and sent in at stated intervals.  Thus engaged, spring glided into summer, and once more a June sun beamed on the city.  One Saturday she accompanied Clara to a jewelry store to make some trifling purchase, and saw Eugene Graham leaning over the counter, looking at some sets of pearl and diamonds.  He did not perceive her immediately, and she had an opportunity of scanning his countenance unobserved.  Her lip trembled as she noticed the flushed face and inflamed eyes, and saw that the hand which held a bracelet was very unsteady.  He looked up, started, and greeted her with evident embarrassment.  She waited until Clara had completed her purchase, and then said quietly: 

“Eugene, are you going away without coming to see me?”

“Why, no; I had intended calling yesterday, but was prevented, and I am obliged to leave this afternoon.  By the way, help me to select between these two pearl sets.  I suppose you can imagine their destination?”

It was the first time he had alluded to his marriage, and she answered with an arch smile: 

“Oh, yes!  I dare say I might guess very accurately.  It would not require Yankee ingenuity.”

She examined the jewels, and, after giving an opinion as to their superiority, turned to go, saying: 

“I want to see you a few moments before you leave the city.  I am going home immediately, and any time during the day, when you can call, will answer.”