, 1871-02-23
CAST OFF.

sfWill 1 ffgiye yous How dare you
ASK it. Ida Rossilur Never, SO help me
Heaveli - -s.
Th,re was fierce glare in the black
eyes with which Winfield Grey steadily
regarded the handsome w0maA staining
pale ard with com pressed lips before him.
She had been for a solitary walk On the
sea shore. little dreaming she should meet
the man who, in her heart of hearts, was
the only cnsbiined idol.
Sine had seen him coming, when his
eyes, keen and bright though hey were,
had not YET discerned her graceful figure
vending among the craes aad cliffs of the
rocky, wild beach; and, with a. cry OF
in,tnsest delight upon her lips, she has
tened to meet him.
She was f#ul, leSsly beautiful woman,
this hau ulhty heiress, Ida Bnssitur, whose
dark, oiiental, ewes had slain scores, of
victims; whose lus.rous masses of ebon
black ,bair bad driven, scorcs of lovers
half C y. Size knew her power, aud how
to usr and befo.e she had seen TWEEN
ty-two sunm.rs drop their load of sweet
scents, she had acquired the weltealned
reputation of coquette.
But every soul has its mate; and Ida
Rossitur had met the master of her desti,
ny; she loved. Yet, SO strange is the
inconsistency of woman, that, though
caught and wood by Winfield Grey, him
whom 81 so adored, her habit of coquet-
~ would not permit her to show him a
preference.
Not that she intended losing him and
on the moonlight night when he told her
his love in terms 50 passiouful that her
heart almost aehed with the joy, when he
pleaded the sweet rumor that was going
the rounds, of their engagement, she
gracefully warded him off, fully inteud-
ing to confess al on the morrow.
Alas, for what we viii do to-mor-
row !" Many arr the hopes that are
crushed for their waiting for the morrow /;
the resolutions buried that q tomorrow :"
was to see fulfilled! r
And Ida Rossitur. when the morning
dawned, learned that Winfield Grey 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 playfuly taunted with Staying
another victim. aud that Winfield Grey,
she was too rrservcdly haaghiy TO refute
the aspersion. and cold bcw, gave
credence TO- he rumUr. -.-.
All this. Che one precious episode of
her life. that had been crowded into onc
bliss ul fortnight, two years agonr, came
rushing over her as she saw Winfield Grey
walking quietly along. all unconscious Of
her near rroximi;y 10 him.
" Winfield, oh, Winfield can it be pos
sible ;" She reached forth her beautiful
arms, glorious light that he could rot
have misunderstood, glowing in her dark
eyes. -3. .0E1
He slalt ted, raised his hat. and would
have passed on. ........,-.-... ....,r ....t
'.You are not angry with me, Mr..
Grey Her tones We're pleadirg,. butt he
looked passionless as a statue. -
Il have no forgotten our last inter
view, Miss Rossitur." - ..s'.- ID :
His cold, steely tones raised a fearful
anguish in her heat.
"Nor l. l have been waiting ever
since to :tll you-to iell you. howl
loved you r
The proud woman had spoken at last /;
and brautiful blush Ovrrslread her face
as she looked almost wistfully at him.
His own. clerks Redeemed, but he
never moved his eyes from her face. ''
"I am grieved the confession has come
too late, Miss Rossitur. l care n9tlipg
for YOU