The Lincoln County herald., 1871-05-04

WITH my years. IL WAS apparent IN my
regular choice for tall heeled shoes. Il
10 apparent even now in my selection Of y
.he attic Of this mansion rather than any
other portion Of this house." sa il
"How many asceusious have you
made p
"This will be the frst on my own re-
sponsibility. have, however, been up
II divers times under the direction Of
others. Now, meet my tankness 10
kind; tell me how, old friends. have been
getting on, and about your own affairs,
too, if you choose"
"Well," returned Thavies, slowly, as |
il about to touch upon doubtful sub.
jecs. "you know, I isuppose, that I am
marriedp" .af0r
Joe Steele became suddenly grave.
ITO whom ?" be asked, looking stead.
lily at the wall before him.
ITO Mary Graham, of COURSE
The shabby prouaut paled visibly, and
sank against the wall.
"At lsst-at lasti" he murmured
brokely.
Thavies went toward him quickly.
my dear Joe, did not expect this
you must not give way to nonsense, you
know. I thought that you had 60: over
that whim for Mary's love long since"
"The dream is over - returned the
other, recovering himself with an effort.
"All is past, Thsvies I"
"What do you mean ?"
"What do mean ?" he cried, his voice
rising almost to scream. II mean that
she promised me, when l left school that
night, to be true to mo until we should
meet again-nay, if we did not meet until
after death. Oh, l loved her so, man !!
l loved her better than my soul And,
Thavies, you remember how jealous l
was Of you? l feared she might be
false in my absence. So brought a
Bible with me and compelled her to swear
there and then-that she would never
be your wife. Through all my long,
weary pilgrimage it has been such com
fort in trial, vexation and disappointment,
to think that one day, perhaps, I should
90 back to her, and find her still keeping
hes'troth But now you tell me she has
been false-"
He burst into wild tears, and hid his
bronzed free in his arms against the
wall. '
Thavies was much moved. f.,
my dear joe" he said kindly. "think
how foolish it is to rest the happiness of
your life on such schoolboy vision. My
wife has told me that she loved you very
truly. and at one time believed that she
would wait IN patience until you came
back to claim her hand, or release her
from the VOW she made. But, after a
few years, she had never heard of you
since the night Of your departure, she
concluded you had forgotten your absurd
engagement, aud SO she married me-"
"Thavies, you are right" he said, with
short, hysterical laug gh. "The shadow
being gone, l am man again Forgive
my weakness. Tears, idle tears, / know
not what they mean and, to be- plain,
old boy, I don't care. Away with mel
ancholly, then Let us be Joyful whilo
We may. Ask me to lunch with you,
Harry. I can't ask you, you know
Where shall the banquet be set forth p
His manner had totally changed
The old restless gayety had come back,
more startling and ghastly than ever.
"Anywhere you choose. But how can
we lunch together. since you are to make
your ascension at two o'clock, end 1t ID
now quarter past one ?" a1aI
isis itT' exclaimed Steele, in surprise
"Then I must be OF instantly" He
moved toward the door, but suddenly
turned and come back. "I've . thought
Thayies. Go up In the balloon with me,
wont youp It 10 : rare offer. know
the ropes a. we'll as do my own name
and there'll be no danger. The fact is,
l want to talk with you"
Thavies was taken little aback.
II should like to try such an adven-
ture," be said. "Whst time shall v.
come down and where p 81
"Anytime, anywhere Some time and
somewhere. All right; BE- assured
Come r, a' =, ~ ls
|, .After > little further hesitation, Tha
vies agreed. They cot of for Vauxhil
Gardens at once. stopping by the way
only to purchase q bottle of sherry aud
some sandwiches, and on srriving at thsil
destination, found tho balloon already
inflated, and crowd gathered 70 see i
loE."l G-ILiif'I .hjyE3t
"Just ii the nick Of time" said Steele
Jump 10, old -boyi" - e
Thsvies stepped into the swaying bas
ket, looking very curious aud doubtful
and the sronaut followed. A band o.
music commenced to play, and the multi
tude oheered busily.
"Cut OFT" shouted Steele. "We'vs
got everything, / believe. Yes-al
right. Now, don't be nervous, Henry
take hold Of the rope; that'll do. Give
wayw ..-...rl...
And swaylng slowly from side to side
mp they went. Thavies clupg to the edge
Of the basket, st 6rst, in great alarm, bu'
Steele laughed. .ttg
/ slb~ol L. - L -