New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-08-23
THE SILVER TOKEN.
There. Tina -

Two S6Lll-ClIcl6s Ol SllN6T III tuO diE, 81 INA
they might be sure to make a sufficient i'm
preston on EFnestine Cadys blue eyes
and smiled with the exultant satisfaction Of
one who feels that he has accomplished his
mission.
He was bright. earnest looking young
fellow, with gray brown eyes and square,
firm mouth-not handsome, but very
manly; and as he sat there on the green
woodland bank, with the hair thrown back
from his broad forehead, and the sunshine
mirrored in his eyes, you felt instnctively
that he was one who would make bis way
in the world, no matter what obstacles
might intervene.
Ernestine Cady stood leaning against the
gnarled, messy trunk of an immense chest
nut tree, with her little feet half buried in
plumes of nodding, fragrant terns-a rural
picture in blue muslin and futtering azure
ribbons. She was very pretty, with the
delicate bloom and freshness of flower-a
flower that winds and frosts have never
touched.
Didn't I tell you should do it, Tina ?''
Ernestine took up the little file that lay
on the bank.
II thought it an impossible task with
such an implement as that"
Nothing is impossible" returned Bruce
sententiously, as he passed a narrow blue
ribbon through hole in the broken piece
of silver. "Will you let me tie it round
your neck, Thar"
"What for ~ But she stopped her pretty
head as she spoke, and let him tie the knot
beneath cataract of pale gold curls.
"And l shall wear the other next my
heart. They are amulets, Tina-charms, if
you choose so to phrase it. That silver
piece carries my allegiance with it. Tina,
if ever any cloud comes between us-if
ever we are separated"
"Bruce !"
<fSuch things hare happened. dearest ;
but, nevertheless, In any event, this broken
coin shall be a token and a summons to
me, wherever l may be-whateVer Fate
may have in store. Don't look SO grave,
my little blue-bird. Is it so very wrong to
mingle bit of romance in our everyday
life Z Where are your flowers lit is time
we were returning"
Through the green shifting shadows of
The woods, with blood-red streams of sun
set light ripping along at their feet, and
delicious odors of moss and fern and hid
den flowers rising up around, the two
lovers walked homeward. Bruce Midway
never forgot the brightness OF that drowsy
August afternoon.
@She will come-I am sure she will
come ~
Tee dew lay like a ray Of diamonds on
grass and shrub as Bruce walked up and
down the little pathway by the hidden
spring, watching the round red shield of
Ike rising sun hanging above the eastern
horizon. And then he looked at his watch.
d" The train will be due in nine minutes
Surely Tina will not let me leave her with
out one reconciling word. If we could but
live the last week over again Hush that
must be her fOOtstep on the moss"
He stepped forward, with glad, flushed
face, and then the chill whiteness of de-
spair blanched every feature as the bright
eyed squirrel, whose tiny tread over leaves
and acorn cups had deceived him, glided
swiftly across the belt of sunshine into EN-
erald shadow. Bruce Midway stood an
instant with his brow contracted, and his
arms folded on his breast. Was he bidding
farewell TO the bright summer that was
past?
And the shrek of the coming train
sounded through the blue purity of the
air, and the last, little faint sparkle of hope
in the lovers breast died out.
Tina had not come-Tina had forgotten
him. Well, so let it bel
And what was Tina Cady doing in the
fresh morning brightness?
She was very rosy and pretty in her
trim calico dress, with pink ribbons at her
throat, and pink verbena hanging low in
her golden coils Of hair-Very picturesque
as she reached up her hand to break off a
spray of spicy honeysuckle.
II wonder il MI. Bruce Midway has
come TO bis senses yet" th0ught Tina, with
a toss of her head. Il shan't measure nv
actions by the rule and plummet Of his
lordly will. can assure you. If want to
airt with Pierce Marbury, shall do ilr'
$50 you're up. eh, Tinal And as fresh as
a rose, declareln
Tina put her red lips up to kiss her bluff
old father in an distracted sort of way.
She hardly saw him as be stood there.
''0h, by the way, Tina, l forgot to give
you this note last night--it was lett BY the
hotel porter. Really, believe my memo
~ ian't quite as good as it was"
Tlna caught the note from her fathers
hand, and broke it open in fevered haste.
!" Tne train leaves at seven Sue saw
the words az vividiy as il they had been
written n characters Of Jagged fire, and as
she read them the old clock half wav nm
the wide, old-fashioned staircase, struck
eight.
Il was too late-too late.
The sharp thrill Of agony at her heart
was succeeded by a passionate feeling Of
resentment.
Let him go / I" she said to herself while
the red pennoRs futtered on her cheek.
Z ! would not lift q finger to keep him
hers
So, when Bruce Msdway's earnest ap.
peallpg letter came q day or two after
ward, Eruestine folded Il quietly wfthia q
basak envelope, without breaking the seal,
md sant il back.
Verify women are strange enigmas, even
70 henlaelves Ernestine herself could
seercsly lave told why she kept the broken
silver coin but che kept Is.
The sholi, threatening October DAY was
drawing % CLOSE; lie derry belt across the
wsalsgn Shy Ms flaming snllenly atbwars
re skeleton woods. and shedding ! sort az
eofepla round Eiaastlne Gadva Slender
GsaEe Is she hurried 81 throaab ~ veIIow
rastii1s drills ar faIlea leaves. a. siao *
heavy hankel on her arm.
just - pretty IS ths fasy Tina Of two.
years since, nat psier, gra4sf anf more
1edate. Trouble had be1lsged Is fsrsIl :