Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1871-01-20


pleaded the sweet rumor that was going
the rounds, of their engagement, she
gracefully warded him off, fully intending
to confess all on the morrow.
Alasi for what we will do ''to-mor-
rowp' Many arc the hopes that are
crushed for their waiting for the morrow !;
the resolutions buried that "to-morrow"
was to see fulfilled!
And Ida Rossitur, when the morning
dawned, learned that Winfield Gray had
left the shore that very morning while she
was dreaming of him.
She Was too proud to inquire; too proud
to write; and when hours later. she was
playfully tauntcd with Staying another
victim, and that Winfield Gray. she was
too rcservedly naughty to refute the as
persion, and by cold bow. gave cred nee
to the rumor.
All this. the one precious episode of her
life, that had been crowded into one bliss
full fortnight, two years agone, came rush.
ing over her as she saw Winfield Gray
walking quietly along. all unconscious Of
her near proximity to him.
winfield. oh, Winfield, can it be pos
sible ?" She reached forth her beautiful
arms. glorious light that he could not
have misunderstood, glowing in her dark
eyes.
He started, raised bis hat, and would
have passed on.
You are not angry with me, Mr..
GrayY Her tones we're pleading, buI
he looked passionless as a statue.
Il have not forgotten our last inter
view, Miss Rossitur."
His cold. steely tones raised fearful
anguish in her heart
Nor I. l have been waiting ever
since to tell you-to tell you-how-I-
loved you p
The proud woman had spoken at last
and beautiful blush overspread her face
as she looked wistfully at him.
His own cheeks reddened, but be never
moved his eyes from her face.
Il am grieved the confession has come
too late, Miss Rossitur, care nothing for
you"
She stood like one petriied, her eyes
growing bright and wild.
''Nvt care for me?-not-care-for-
me?" She repeated the words slowly,
distinctly, an awful gray pallor the while
stealing across her face. her eyes riveted
on his handsome countenance. .s,
81 do not. Miss Rossitur good morn
ing"
He bowed and walked on.
He had only taken dozen steps. when
there came clutch on bis artn that al
most made him cry out. He turned to
see Ida again.
"Stop moment, I am mystifed. I
may be crazy for all I know. But must
have it from your lips again, those lips
have dreamed so often about; those lips
that told me the only news I ever cared
to hear"
She spoke in peculiar dreamy way
Then, before Gray could frame an answer,
her eyes filled with tears, and she laid her
hand on his arm.
Winfield, my darling. my darling
don't say you have ceased to care for me
Why DONE you know l love you, worship
you?"
He would have been less than human
had not his heart throbbed at her confess
sion, but he smiled coldly.
Two years ago, Miss Rossitur. I sued
for that love; you cast it off. Remem-
bering as do the shame, the bitter ago
ny of that night, | can never forget it OF
forgive it,"
She seemed not to hear the last words
You cast ME off-you cast me off
THAT is rather harsh term. Miss
Rossitur. did not say so. Please be
so kind as to excuse me-"
mo. no! Once more, Winfield. for
give NE. oh. do forgive, will you not? !
can't live without your love. Winfield"
She clasped her hands pleadingly, and
rested them on his arm. A moment be
gazed into her beautiful stormy face, then,
with calm, almost scorniul turn of the
lip, spoke:
Twill l forgive you? How dare you
ask it, Ida Rossitur? Never. so help me
Heaven p
1t was an awful blow to the proud wo-
man. whose sin was loving too we'll /; and
as Winfield Gray heightened the distance
between them. look of most pitiful ago.
ny convulsed her features.
Gradually his receding figure grew
ss,naller. and as he turned an angle that
hid him, there swept over her form per-
feet gust of emos.on
Unutterable despair was written on
every lineament. and in the words she
moaaed lnrked lifetime of grief: "Cas!
off,
The early June sunshine came in a
golden quiver all over the delicate pink
and while velvet carpet that covered the
floor of Marian Thorne's dressing room,
and white with light fingers it touched
the rare statuary. the costly toilette orna-
meuts. 1t fingered longest. and most low
ingly, on the slight, graceful figure thai
stood before the dressing mirror.
She was golden-haired girl. this dain.
.ty Marian Thorne. with eyes, the very
shade Of purple violets; shadowy, serene
eyes. that seemed ever looking ,out into
some misty, uncertain cloud-land.