Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-12-19

y beside him.
Paul ! she murmured softly.
Mrs. Hunter he CALCULATED, in gres
$ surprise at her appearance there.
f Hush always that cold name Ca
me Matte, as in other days-I have call
| ed you Paul. exclaimed the beautiful
temptress. her cheek crimsoning with
| rich glow, her dark eye seeking his.
'Mattie-Mattie = he murmured, al
most tenderly for moment. while he
syren words fell on his bewildered sense
then dropping the hand which ha'
slid into his, he continued coldly, M
that name is not for me to utter. Mrs
Hunter, let me conduct you back to you
guests and he politely proffered hi
arm.
Matte Hunter drew back scornfully
turned very pale, and then, going uE
close to him. while rapid waves of pas
sion and tenderness chased each other il
quick succession over her face, said:
Paul Denning. you shall hear me
Your coldness kills me. have waited
long-long, but you would not say wha,
your haughtiness compels me now to ut
ter. You may call me bold, unwoman-
ly, anything, l care not-I cannot help
it | must revoke those words which
once, in my madness, uttered to you
! Paul, Paul, we're you to ask me again
the qucstion you then asked, my answer
would be far different You understand
me, Paul: and the passionate woman
grasped his hands tightly and gazod into
his eyes.
Denning listened with mingled sensa-
tons of surprise, scorn. and pity sur
prise that the worldly woman could feel
so deeply. and so far forget her pride as
to plead for that affection she had once
cast from her--scorn for the mercenary
spirit which had swaycd her in his rejec-
tion-and pity, for he had no love.
Mrs. Hunter and he spoke calmly.
this is strange language-words l nev-
er expected to hear from you. Once they
would have moved me strangely. filled
my heart with wild joy; but not now
l will not deceive you-1 do not love
you
With groan of anguish the humiliat-
ed woman buried her face in her hand s
'Scorned, despised, and l have hetray-
cd myself. The theme for laughs and
jeers-that l should so far forget my
pride as to plead for love which is denied
me-
Nay, not so : said Denning gently,
kindly, for his heart was touched
Your secret shall remain locked in my
keeping as safely as if it had never been
spoken. / too have nothing to boast
over, to glory in. The memory of this
interview let us bury in the past let us
be friends. Mrs. Hunter, give you my
hand on it
She seized the proffcred hand, covered
it with fearful kisses. then turned away.
Again she came back, and looking ear
ne.tly into his face, said in low voice,
quiverins with intense emotion:
Paul Denning. your are the soul Of
honor. do no deserve your love, nor
even your kindness, since it was my own
pride which ruined my hap! mess. go
again to the world-to that hollow
world Of fashion and gaicty for which
pcriled my pcace-yet. ere 60 thither.
tell me. do YOU love another@
Trembling, and awaiting his reply, as
though her very existence hung upon it,
she clung to his arm.
/ There was long. long pause. Should
he tell her all-of that earliest best love.
which was neglected when her fascina-
tions held his heart in thrall. but. when
the spell was over, had claimed him to
his old allegiance :-and how. even then.
his heart kept sad, dcspairing vigil at
the altar whose shrine was broken, and
whose fire his own hand had quenched :
Could he reveal all +:
After little the struggle was over
he repeated the story Of his oldcn love
and when he said, by way of conclusion.
\ know not if my memory is cherished
now with the slightest regard-but this
l do know. shall never love any
other on earth than her whom in yonde,
room met to night as stranger
When he had ended. the miserable wo.
man beside him only bowed her head
and murmurcd
May heaven pity US both, Paul Den
ming
They saw not then-thcy had not seen
all the while-the figure of weary wo'
man. who, weakened by the glare and
pressure of the crowded rooms. and the
combat between awakened love ane
pride going on in her heart, had stolcr
away TO the quiet of the fower-room be
fore her hostess had entered there. ane
who now sat trembling on couch in ;
little concealed alcove; nor could they
mark the alternate shades of despair
hope, Joy. which went over her white
face like ripples over still water, wher
Paul Denning's words fell on her ears.
But when the transition from doub
to perfect faith was once more gained
and she uttered quick, convuls,vc. glat
cry of joy--such cry as the bird give
when he bursts his prison cage-such
cry as the glad waters send up when they
gush through the foaming outlet-sucl
a cry as heart can give which has low
ed and suffered. and is suddenly mad'
strong again-when they heard that cry
and turned to where she sat, palid will
excess of happi"ess--then Paul Dennins