The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1872-06-20

been in love-dozens Of times. Why
do you ask such thing?"
IL was wondering how it would af.
feet you," answered George, in dreamy
sort OF a way. ut is very different
with different people, you know. Some
men are made selfish by it, and are
willing to sacrifice every thing and ev-
erybody to their own passion. 9th
ers love well enough to forget them
selves, and are able to surrender
even the woman they love for their own
happiness"
"You are talking OF something quite
beyond my comprehension" said Bar
ry' lightly. ''You couldn't possibly 6ud
a man who feels less heroic than | do.
l don't know to which Of your classes
belong but do know that I like
TO enjoy a pleasant Irritation with a
pretty woman, just as I like to smoke a
good cigar; and, when I grow tired, l
like to be free to go away, just as l
like to throw aside the cigar when it
has burned to the stump"
"Don't you think there are some wo-
men tit tor better uses than that 2"
"Who knows ?-who cares? Not I.
1t has never been my lot to meet such
awoman, and I don't suppose should
appreciate them If did. Some of
them-the pretty ones-are pleasant
enough in their way; but, honestly,
George, fellow, like yourself, is worth
the whole of them. By.tho-by, l am
sorry to say it, butt believe I must be
of Tomorrow"
"To.morrow
semple could not help echoing the
word i; and as he echoed 1t, there came
back to him that scene in the green.
house-Monas face and Barry's attitude.
tie thought he had surrendered all
hope, yet now his heart sank with a
strange, dead feeling. cit was all true."
he thought. "My instincts did not
| play me false"
Meanwhile, Barry was going on with
rather suspicious ste. "Short warm
ing, isn't it? But I can't help it. 1
got letter to'day-pshaw I mean I
ought to. have got letter, aud, since
didn't must be off. You've been
very pleasant host, Semple, and I
shall never forget you or Dornc;hrope
either. When will you come to see
me, and let me pay you back in kind I"
"When you have settled home, 70.
ver," rising and laying his hand on
the broad shoulder barely visible in the
dusk. "You are good fellow, Phil
better fellow even than | Thought"
he went on. "We'll talk Of your 60
ing when to morrow comes. Let us get
home now, and have some supper. I
loust walk out to the Randolphs' after
u WHILE"
The stars were shining brightly
overhead, and filling the whole night
with their quivering radiance, when
Semple tramped along the frosty road
an hour OF two later, on his way to the
Raudolphs'. AS he went, he debated
with almost feverish energy, question
on which depended not only Lis own
future life, but also the life of the girl
whom he was gong to meet. II could
do it for her happiuess-God knows l
could, if it were for her happiness
he said quickeuing his pace, and look
ing up at the stars which beamed down
upon him with such serene Indifference.
Nothing answered him hvthing gave
him clew out of his uncertainty
The quiet night lay around him its
glitteriug hosts marched steadily on
overhead, and The battle was lett to him
alone to 6ght-for him alone to decide.
1t was still at its heat when he entered
the broad Randolph gates, and came
within sight of the hospltable lights
shining from the Randolph windows"
IL could do it if it were for her happi-
ness," was the last thing be thought OF
as he crossed the piazza and entered
the open hall, passed to a room the
door Of which was also open, aud from
which the ruddy blaze and cheerful
cracking of a largo wood fire came with
a very homo-ike effect.
The room thus frightened was q
pleasant one at all times, for the habit.
ual presence Of GENIAL, well-bred people
leaves an impress even upon the furui.
ture, and this was tie family sitting
} room. Senple was as we'll acquainted
with it as with the aspect of his Own
chamber j; but tonight it had sort of
vague indistinotness to him. He saw
the familiar couches, and books, and
vases, the Coloners arm chair, Mrs.
Randotphs' workable, Louey's rock.
iOg-horse, aud Mona's open piano
saw them, as it were, in dream. He
answered the Colonel's cordial greeting,
and spoke to Mrs. Randolph mechanic
ally. Then he sat down-a little back
} from the glowing FIRE, aud outside the
; circle of light cast by shaded lamp
and waited. Mona was not there ;
but he knew her babite, aud felt sure
that she would come in before long.
Before long she came. eyes," he
was saying to the Colonel. ssit Va. cer.