St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1871-07-14

: head thrubbcd, and the cool night air re-
lrcshed my excited frame. | paced ur
and down, growing calmer in mind and
| body, and at last, tired, threw myself i'll
| 10 Il char and leaned my head against
the stone coping Of Il window. had
sat for some moments unconscious OF
anything but the chaotic monotone OF
my own mind. when Philips voice,
speaking in low, aeitatcd tnncs, made
itself audible:
81 should be less than II man were |
to take advantage OF her momenlary
piquc. | believe she love. me, and cost
what it may-ani you know the cost
| must fulfil my engagement"
'lcS, believe me, yoIr suffering intcn-
sliics my own rcjoincd CIcopatra's sib-
liant voice, ''amd the sympathy draws us
nearer even than the accomplishment Of
wishes. But" she added, after an IN
stanrs pause, Il think you deceive yonr-
self somewhat. lUur cousin has little
depth of iccling, and what would he a
lifelong sorrow 10 many women would
not sink deep INTO her heart. DO you
know, my friend, those blonde women
do not love as We do. Nay ! have
pIqurd you She loves you no doubt,
10 the extent Of her nature; but her
blood is {" mine what cdu sacroc is TO
om-,te-rc. Should You care much for
an unlimited privilege of Gw Sut1tc?
She would love no one better than she
loved you. She would h.: AN immacu-
late matron, Il true and yirtunus wife, Il
lovely ii"urc head for your dinner table,
and the mother of unrAccptiomal,lc chill
Ircn, But |, Philip" and could feel
how she leaned toward him and dropped
ia" llInId passion "i hcr eyes INTO his,
81 would %tve y"n the love your soul
demands | would love you with an in
trn,ily winch should consume the very
bring which fed it | should be- Il priest
ess making perpetual sacrifice before her
shrine. All, Philip, We dark women
hull the secrets of love-"
had already heard too much. 1
>pran" from my >rat 10 leave them m
disturbed, but my Dire, caught in Il rIair
and over turned it, and with strange IN
caution they both stepped through the
window ON the piazza.
We thrc. confronted unr another in
the MOONLIGHT. For u moment there was
a silence :" profound that the heating oi
my heart seemed To- echo like Il >rIge-
hammer.
Philips face was chastity IN lis rigid
pallor. lie did not even attempt 10
speak. Cleopatra was first 10 break the
spell. With a laugh which stung me by
It's lnSolcnce through the sweetness of her
perfectly modulatcd voice, she said
"WcIl met by moonlight, tar hostess
This enchanting ni"ht seems 10 have be-
%uIlel u all. 1t must h. Late; have
you the time ," looking at Philip.
lie took out hi- watch somewhat me
rhanically, and answered that it was
hard on two u'rlnck
She %avr Il little start OF well acted
surprise. l"ur cousin has tempted me
10 rcnouncc my beauty Sleep" she aid,
and took my hand.
Her touch unlooScI my tongue. "My
cousin is evidently either temptcr or
tempted" ! replied (which, | do not
presume To decide But since the temp
tatlon has proved irresistible pray con
slider all obstacles removed from thr way
OF that perfect union of souls which you
aspire after. Such imaginary right or
| title Is may have heretofore possessed |
i'll this "emllcman'$ affections, willingly |
transfer To you, who understand so well |
the requirements of his higher nature |
This, ton,' | continued, Gathering cour-
age from the ~tcadinr>, OF my own voice, |
may have some Significance for You
for me ii Is only the unpleasant reminder
OF n delu>iun prst," aud held toward
her the hoop Of diamonds which two
ycals before, ON that same piazza and
under Just such a night harvest moon,
Philip had placed on my willing hand
For the honor Of my sex | am clad 10
he able To say that Cleopatra was dis
concerted. Even her c0n~ummatc tact
and readiness were for once at fault
though whether she regretted my out
RACED hospitality, or It's inopportunc dis
covcry, Is not a matter for me 10 decide
However, she gracefully converted
yawn into Il smile, and, with Il parting
thrust rs 10 the embarrassment of inter
fcrinG III family dissensions, babe us good
night with the utmost sweetness, and re-
tired. The movement knocked the bau-
blc from my hand, and it rolled Glitter
ing on the pavement to Philips feet.
With scarcely suppressed oath, lie
raised his powerful foot and ground it
with his heel against the stone, and then
kicked Oft the flatlcned fragments on to
the grass, and then our eyes met s'Even
so, Philip, let the past he thrust out of
sight. 1t has been great mistake, and
| am reasonable enough TO acknowledge
1t; and | also acknowledge the greatness
OF your temptation For the future
will Try 10 forget our temporary delu-
SION
81 cannot even ask you to forgive me
Elinor," Phillip at last said, with vi>i-
BILE effort; ''neIther will ask you to try
not TO despisc me. understand too
well your capacity for contempt, and
my own desserts
''Nay, Philip" and am afraid the
smart OF my wounds made my voice ring
somewhat sharp and bitter, man is but
mortal 81 do not expect chivalry from
carpet Knights" lie WINGED, but made
no reply and |, with my wrciched wo-
mans weapon whetted on both sides, still
probed the wound. Il am proud wo-
man, Philip, and the pride you have
wounded will he its own safeguard"
81 am g lad you have so secure re-
iuse," he rcjoned drily. The tone re-