The Winchester journal. [volume] (Winchester, Ind.) 18??-1920, 1870-07-14
81 am sorry Harry is not at home

dNOlitu IL.
ale had business, / suppose" re
marked Fred, as they entered th'
drawing room.
Eyes. He has called to Albany anC
may have to go to Buffalo. 1t is som.
important railroad business"
For a little time Fred felt bashful
If Mrs. Lynde had been common, OIL
plain, he would have felt differently
but it seemed like PROCLAMATION to claim
the friendly attention of one 30 lovely
and accomplished. But why should
he suffer such impediments of com
fort TO stand in his way? His friend
had babe him make himself at home,
and he meant to try. AS he came out
from his reserve the lady grew bril-
liant. She evidently received in
structions from her husband to do all
in her power for the entertainment OF
their guest and she was trying to
obey.
When evening came, and there was
a hitch in the conversation. Fred pro-
posed music. Isabel asked him if he
sang. He said he had done SO. He
would try if she wished it. That is
he would accompany her. In truth,
I Fred possessed one of the richest, most
melodious, and finely attuned voices
ever heard; and / may as well add
here, that the female portion of his
acquaintance had pronounced him one
of the handsomest men they had ever
seen. He sang with Isabel Lynde.
He was charmed by her sweet voice;
and she appeared no less charmed by
his surprising melody. After this
they talked of Harry. Fred praised
him to the skies; while Isabel meekly
and modestly claimed for him that he
was true and noble.
The first night in his friends home
and yet Fred found himself wishing
that his friend had never been-that
such a man rs Harry Lynde had new
er eXisted-or, at least, had never ap-
peared in that section of country.
ooh, if I could have found this
sweet prize before Harry had ever
known her! All, Fred Farley! what
are you doing? Coveting your neigh
boris wife? and that neighbor your
dearest friend and chum? 1 am
ashamed of you. Bewarew
And so the smitten guest talked
with himself until sleep closed his
senses. Then dreams came, and Isabel
haunted his uneasy slumbers in all
sorts of ways.
In the morning he arose, and re-
solved that he would not expose him
self to the danger which he could al
ready forsee in TOO free interchange
of poetry and romance with his
friends wife. But, alas for human
resolutions whcn the errratic god has
strung his bow she set his dart. After
breakfast the coachman came TO see if
Mr.. Farley would ride. The morning
was delightful, and the horses We're in
need of exercise
Yes, Mr.. Farley would ride. But
could he do less nan ask Mrs. Iynde
to accompany him? He asked her,
and she assented with evident salts
faction.
"Harry babe me not lose sight Of
you, Mr.. Farley, and l suppose l must
obey him.
O. what n bewitching smile-won-
derous depth of feeling in the brown
eyes-and what music in the voice!
Fred felt pang at his heart-a glow
through his whole frame-and he
knew he had fallen in love. What
should he do? lie must1isht against
it while he could.
OF all the companions wio had
ever shared his social hours Fred had
never before found one like Isabel
(He called her so in his thoughts
She was as intellectual, and as witty,
and as frank and openhearted ~ She
was beautiful; and in the Unborn purity
Of her soul she never seemed TO dream
that harm could come Of il To Harry's
chum.
Three days passed, and letter
came from Harry saying that he had
been obliged TO go 10 Buffalo.
One week more, and poor Fred was
beside himself with the ardent, all
powerful and pervading passion that
had possessed him. And this was not
the worst. He was sure that Isabel
loved him. He could not be mistaken.
Her very efforts 10 conceal the emo
tion--her growing timidity and re-
serve-the changing color Of her face
the dropping of the silken lashes-
the soft fluttering of the voice-all, all
told him that she loved him.
Once more-what should he do?
There was but one alternative: He
must leave the villa at once. He felt
that he was wronging his best and
dearest friend. That evening he said
TO label that he must 20 to New York
on the morrow. He must take the
Albany boat when 1t comes down.
She was startled; and for a moment
lost control of herself; but while Fred
talked Of business engagements she
recovered her composure. But the
remainder of the evening passed sad
and gloomy TO both. Fred was reti-
cent and moody, while the lady was
evidently far from being happy.
The morning came, and Fred Far
ley and Isabel Lynde stood in the par
lor. The carriage was at the door.
uDaar Mrs. Ivnde, / MAY never