Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1870-06-25
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SOUL


"Alene, my dear, imagine what
might have been had you married
that poor lawyer, Harry Oxford.
Think Of yourself, a faded beauty,
vainly striving to make ends meet
instead Of which, ypu are now the
queenly prospective bride of the
rich, aris:ocratic DR.. Hall of Bos-
ton. Allow me 10 congratulate
you"
20 Maud!
cor an sal words Of tongue or pen,
rhe sad est A. thsse--'.t might rave b.en.''
"Why, Alene, you don't mean
you can't regret"
Alene's silvery yet synical laugh
interrupted her.
"Ah!I see | can yet deceive even
you, my own dear friend"
"Well, | must say such an actress
as you are, has no right TO the quiet
walks of home life you should
figure as a star in the theatrical
world"
THANK You; but | presume no
\ star ever enacted her role as con-
slantly as | shall mine on the stage
where | am about to commence my
life drama"
Maud looked sadly perplexed as
she said,-
"Well, | give il up; yesterday
| thought | knew y0u-to day | am
satisfied | know nothing about
you"
There! that's enough Of that
kind Of talk you know you are the
chosed contidante of my heart. But
Maud, | have only five more hours
in which to enjoy the freedom OF
single blessedness: may | demand
q part OF those, in which to ofilciate
a. chiefand sole mourner alta flu
neral"
!. "a funeral2 What DO you
i. mean z"
"The last sad solemn rites due to
the dead hopes OF youth. Or, TO
suit your dull comprehension,
to-day, darling, will you leave me
| alone for a couple of hours2
/, want a final review of the old life
t aud a supply OF strength for the
new" And proud Alene's voice
4 fell from It's, gay, heartless tone tC
, one OF solemn earnestness.
: "Certainly, dearest. Farewell
Y tor two hours, when your devoted
Z hanA.maiden will return TO dec,
Il you in robes OF purify, and max,
you meet to enter Jour future par
It adi,e.'
Maud waved a mock adieu, an,
d as Alene closed tie door, mechaui
4 cally pressing the bolt, u weigh
Of woe seemed settling upon heI
and size mufmureA,-
= "My future parable! A para
u disc, then, over the entrance {
which is written, as over the gaze
N OF Hades, Leave nope behind, a
= who enter nereV"
II She crossed the room aud saa
4 helplessIy into q chair. Her queer
-, ly head was bowed on the tail
that stood by her side. "MemoriC
- hung over her like the weight {
&c broken wings" Destiny's iro
vice seemed to press the very lit'
t. blood from her heart.
n Was it destiny, or was it Il
IL human demon OF pride pressing
3. her lips bitter fruit? Years a.
ma the seed had been sown; to-day
bo was ripe. What ye SOW ye slit
- reap"
~ Lifting her head she reached h
secretary aud drew FROM It's seer
drawer apicture. She gaEed on
a. awhile, and then that far-away loo
r settled In her eyes, and her though
10 were with the past. Let US folio
IL them.
in Six years ago, on a beautiful fa
81 day, two young girls, refining L
their spirited horses, halted at Il
~ grand old mansion OF Col. Orfor,
ne One OF them was Alene Dare-bI
Il, not the Alene Dare Of to-day.
Il Then she was just eighteen, wit
Of raven tresses, sparkling black eye
er a brunette complexion, which exc
10 else had heightened Into rich trop
-. cal beauty-heart. whole and fame
free. Alene was still only a sch0o
girl. So far her hopes and aspirI
y tions had centred within musty co
." umus of lore, and her lips had bee
3. quiet and care-free. All, Alene 81
jg' 10y the moments while you ina
III Tor a change is coming DER the spir
3. of your dreams.
AS they halted, a quick etc
N sounded on the gravel walk, an
Col. Urford's handsome BROTH
~ Harry famiiiarly greeted Alene
III companion.
IL Miss Dare, allow me to intrI
nj duce Mr.. Oxford"
Alene acknowledged the intro
. ductiOn, aud Harry, with an unmi
90 taxable glance of admiration, bow
10 ed low. AIeng's companion delive
r. ed u message she had been charge
=. with and alter q little desultol
- conversation the girls turned
.te leave.
IS Ladies', ! hope to have q
n pleasure Of meeting you at yol
IS. academy bali this evening"" sal
| Harry.
n. Bring US some Of those love
M evcrgreens as your open sesame
Nj. Oxford" said Alene.
y; II shall be only too happy to ser'
~ you IN any way
O.y With a nod of thanks the CIR
he waved adieu and turned HON
or ward.
Two hours later, q merry grou
he were gathered in the large acaden
nv hail. Alene stood apart, absOrbC
N. in q quite revery, needless of Il
ss chime Of gay voices.
. Miss DaFe-my entrance fee
d. H.. ALL .a.Nn1 ~