The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-04-27
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my liie. L VIII work, beg, suffer for
you--l will die for you-oh, how will
lingly, if need be But that--oh father,
you do not know what it is that you
ask 7"
He did not speak, but moan broke
uncontrollably from his lips, as he rest.
ed his head upou her shoulder. The
struggle in her heart sent dark,
shadowy waves across her face. Could
.she-could she !?
. " Father" she whispered, hurriedly,
" let me 60 now, will see you again
answer you to morrow" Aud she left
him
lie could not see her face in the gath
ering daskness, only glimpse of some.
thing white, but he felt the quivering
of her lips as she bent to kiss him aud
reached his arms TO embrace her, but
she was gone.
-" Heaven pity me !" The words came
like a wall from her lips. She was
alone in the chamber, flung PROSTATE
upon low couch with her face hid in
the cushions. The sound of the rustl.
ing foliage of the garden, and the chirp.
ing Of the birds, came through the open
window with the damp evening breeze,
and the pale light of the rising moon
filled the room with soft radiance, but
she was unconscious of everything but
misery. The house was so quiet that
the sound of footstep crossing the hall
below fell upon her ear, and aroused her
to momentary interest. She heard a
door open, the library door, and then
voice uttered few words ofcommon place
greeting She remembered it we'll, and
sprang to her feet with desperate, in.
sane thought of fight. But the door
closed, the house was still again, and
she was ealmer.
She crossed the room listlcstly aud
drew back tt curtain Of the window.
The scene without was beautiful. The
moonlight lay broadly on the garden,
turning to silver the tops OF the trees.
and making the little lake beyond look
like a great white pearl Gazing earn.
estly downward she saw tall, shadowy
figure standing beuealh the shade OF
the old elm. With low cry she sprang
from the room, and, moment after.
stood beside her lover.
Come at last, my treasure" cried
Mark Winchester, folding her in his
arms. She remained leaning passively
against his breast, while he pressed pas.
siouate kisses upon her forehead, cheeks
aud lips.
"Why have you made me wait so
long, darling? Z" he said, softly, aud tax.
ing both her slender hands in one of
his, he pressed them to his lips. "Why
how cold you are How you tremble!3'
he continued, as she. clung to him.
"What is the matter, May 7"
Il waited because dreaded to meet
you, Mark"
Why! What do you mean 7"
And brokenly through her tears and
sobs, she told him all. lie did not
speak or stir while she was talking; and
when she had finished there was long
silence. She lacked courage to say
more-he would not ask. She repeated
the last words land to morrow | must
give him my answer" Still he did not
speak.
She looked up at him. In the dim
light she could see his rigid, agonized
face, white lips, aud cleaning eyes. She
stole her arm about his neck, and drew
his forehead down to her lips.
Speak to me, Mark; say that ycu
do not blame me"
lie knew then that she had decided,
and what that decision was.
And you will leave me, May, and
marry that old man 7"
" Heaven pity me, Mark, for / must.
| will become his wife. and | will be
true aud faithful, for he will be kind to
me. You will hear of me thus, aud
when you do, remember my words,
Mark, that you have my heart"
II will remember, May. God help
us both, for ! shall never forget you.
They shall bury mc with this upon my
heart" Aud he drew tress OF soft
brown hair from bis bosom.
For a moment mere, one little, prcc.
ious moment--he held her against his
heart, and then kissed her, put her gen.
tly from him, and was gone.
For nsoment she stsed alone under
the trees, with clasped hands and face
upraised to the quiet sky, and then she
turned aud walked silently toward the
house. A light from the library win.
dow streamed down on her, aud as she
looked up, she saw the shadow Of
bowed figure fall access the curtain.
Father, you are saved p she mur-
INJURED.
A hand was laid suddenly on her arm,
aud she started with low cry.
"Good evening, Miss May said
Colonel Leighton. II have been seek
ing you"
She bowed, aud stood silently before
him with calm, downcast face.
I" | have been talking to your father"
he continued, carelessly pulling rose
from bush near them. "Hc tells me
that YOU have promised to think of my
proposal, aud let me know what your
decision is to morrow. Is there any
thing can say which will influence
you to form that conclusion ia my
favor p
You cannot say anything which viii
influence me in the least, Colonel Leigh
ton. As my father has said, you shall
have my answer to morrow"
He glanced at the young face, so sad
in its calm dignity, and then looked
down at his fingers again, which we're
busted 10 tearing to pieces the blossom
ha held and .llows,,ev IN. .x,,rs,., 80 Il.