The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-11-18
word or two with her, AS he passed

She instantaneously assailed him with
lively reproaches for his neglect of her du-
ring the whole evening.
"Dont you think ought to infict some
very severe penance upon you z" she con
cluded archly.
"I trust you will not be too severe" he
gayly replied. I'm fully sensitive of the
magnitude Of my errors"
Then" she murmured, with a softened
lustre in her spleudid eyes, and magical
music in her voice, 1--WE will seal your par,
don in glass of champagne"
He hesitated as she smilingly held out a
foaming wine glass.
"Anything but that, Miss Stanley, he
stammered.
"Then it is true." said Bell conteptu-
ously. Your betrothed cannot trust you
without promises-a fine sample Of the
pettcoat government you are hereafter to
be favored with -
Mr.. Efingham made no reply. He felt
himself in rather an embarrassing situation
and he heartily execrated that annoying
promise.
Just one glass;" pleaded the lovely
| tCLi rIllooo do lO SlIiI uCSlIdlCu
" You are an absolute savage, St James,
said Altamont, to refuse it from such a
hand"
Alas. how easy it is to yield In that
single moment of uncertainty ST. James
was lost. He took the one sparkling
glass from the dark eyed Gree, and in an
instant the small invisible barrier erected
to stem the tide of his fatal proclivity, was
swept away.
As he placed the empty champagne
glass on the table, his startled vision met
the grieved, reproachful gaze Of Lillian
Brooke's deep blue eyes. She had entered
a moment since, and now stood at his
side, like a guardian angel. But he felt
that Bells scorching glance was on his
every action, and recklessly exclaimed:
you will pledge me also, Lilly? Nay.
do not look so grave, surely hasty prom
ise is better in the breach than in the OBJ
seryance."
But she had turned from hin1send Gid
ed silently from the room ere he could fol-
| low.
| Sad and bitter were her reflections, as
she sat in her own luxurious chamber at
home. The red glow of the low, clear fire
in the CRATE, and the moonlight radiance
of single perfumed taper, burning thro'
the transparent urn of an alabaster lamp,
| fell on a troubled brow and fearful eyes.
! Poor Lilly. the wTeaths of scarlet rose
| buds in her hair were not yet withered, the
diamonds were yet flashing on her breast;
yet the sweet blossoms of hope were dead
forever.
Her sorrowful resolution was soon taken
She felt that she could never place all q
wife's confidence in one whose resolves
were 50 feebe-so easily broken. She
knew that wine was her rival, and that
when a solemn promise was thus unheed
ed, all rest raints Of prudence would be o.
little avail.
And so, allho' it was like the tearing
asunder Of soul and body, she laid away
her dead and buried love in the sad mau
soeum of the past, never more to rise
again.
1t was mournful night. The perfum
ed light waned low, and flickered into
darkness; the bright fire died out into
ashy chilhess and gloom. and still she sat
there. her fair young head dropping on hel
hand, is bright curls ripping around her
all unconscious Of the progress Of time
And when the cold, grey light of dawn be
gan to penetrate the siIken curtain of the
easement, she felt that the crisis of her life
was past.
"Mr. Effingham is below, ma am," sal,
a servant, the next noon, as Lilly sat pale
and exhausted, in her apartment; shall
say you are not we'll?
Tell him." said Lilly-"nay,I will write
a message"
And she hastily inscribed on card The
following words:
"The broken promise of last night has
placed an impossible gulf between US
Here after our paths through life lie in fa
different directions, for | cannot trust one
who is false to himself Farewell for
cUcr! LILLY"
st. James read tie fatal sentences will
a SHINING heart; yet,in spite of an accusing
conscience, he strove to think himself az
grievGd.
Wonan's caprice !" he muttered fierce
", 81 was a fool ever to trust my happi
ness in her keeping. However, this freal
will not last long, and for the present, i
my presence is so disagreeabe, she shall
not be troubled with it"
He left the house and the estranget
lovers never met again.
Years passed by. LilIy's health, which
had begun to fail from excitement anc
distress Of mind, was finally restored oil
the change Of air and scene consequent or
her removal to another city. Gradual,
the deep scars of her sorrow healed up
gradually the memory of Eflingham be
came like a distant dream. She welded
one in all respects worthy of her gentle
virtues, and in the happy occupation o
wife and mother forgot the troubled Incl
dent of her earl Y girlhood.
Meanwhile Efingham had wasted hi
fine fortune by course of reckless extra
vagance and dissipation, and gradual
sinking from his position in society, ha'
become mere recS of his former self III
also had left his native city, and for year
his name was never mentioned among
those who had been his friends and associ
ates.
1t was late one bitter February night
that Lilly Brooke, now Mrs. Woodham
welcomed her husband TO his Cheerful
{ l., bo,,a