Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-04-05
AN AIMLESS LIFE!
BY Or. DE B.

Josephine sat in the taint inoonliehi,
playing. On of Chopin's waltEes stole
out on the silent summer air, and through
the moobbeams the flashing fingers hew
like white fairies, keeping time to its per-
feet music. Then followed few chords
and prelude, and there glided out the deli |
cious "n legro" movement In the "Sonala |
Patheiique." The tender pleading OF the |
melody rose and fell with the expressive
PLAYING Of the fair musician. II was in |
deed a '.song without words" Suddenly
Josephine felt two hands clasp her bead
and draw It back, and there fell on lip and
brow warm passionate kisses. AS sud
denly she was released, and turning round,
found herself again alone. Frishtenea
and bewildeTed at what bad occurred she
Immediately left the room, and passing
through the window out to the piazza,
where the soft moonbeams were filtered
through tho vines in dancing flakes oi
light over its broad door, never paused
until she reached the faIthest corner,
where she sank trembling Into the camp
chair.
iiDld Beethoven's ghost rise at your
vandalism, Josephlnel ~ cried Fannie,
fom the other side, where we all sat en-
Toying the cool half gloom.
Tom broke her silence by exclaiming.
"And we'll you might be struck dumb for
taking such liberties, initiating the great
masters choicest works, an arm here,
head there. Why don't you play the per-
feet statue ~
Then, half in the doorway, Josephine
saw the blonde moustaehe and the tall
form of Wayne appear, and by the uu-
steady gait, together with the faint odor
of cigars and wine still upon her face ana
iips, she knew 1t could have been none
but he, who had put SO abrupt hnale TO
her music. Indignantly she turned away
her head, and hoped he would not see her
in the shadowy corner she had chosen
All grew still when Wayne came out,
for they saw at once, before he mention
ed Il, that he had '.just come from inc
pavilion" This was the skeleton In th'
closet. The eldest son and brother, o
whom they were all once so proud, al
honored graduate of one of the uniVer
stiles only five years ago, had fallen 81
low In the social scale since, that all o
the class at which he then stood hea'
were now above him in the world. Bu
thev ali owned "Waype Brent had th'
best shead,' nevertheless" We neve
looked for Wayne to join our eveninl
group on the piazza, for the pavilion hel
forth charms, in the way of billiards an
bar, that were not on our quiet pre-
gkamme. His presence was a snado"
although tonight he shone with Drllllane
as he dashed into the topics OF the da
with q vim and sparkle unusual TO hin
Ordinarily. WAYNE was a retieent talke
but wine loosed both his wits aud n
tongue.
Josephine sat In the gloom, still silen
only her white drees betraying her wher
abouts. Her brain was puzzeled WI!
many thoughts. What could Cousl
WAYNE mean Did ne mistake her Il
Fanny But then Fan didn't play BE
thoven, aud that ''Rllegro" was his fayo
ite, He knew she alone played It. EV
since she was girl of fourteen, ana
then a young man OF twenty nVe, way
had been 70 her a sort OF seer, KNOWN
evervthine, teaching her so much. b
for him she would never have been WIN
she was, for Josephine passed fof
iiblue.o and was a little vain Of the Ut
He had superlntended all her studl'
When a student himself, be had attend
college In her own city, and she saw n
every day. He was kind and good 70 D.
and she loved him like brother, :
never before had he taken such toers
On the contrary, he had always appear
TO dislike her greetings, az she kissed n
with the other boys" when sne came
spend her summer vacations with tanl
II But tonight OF his own accord-su
VI hlhttn " heh SehAN -
And half indignant hush mounted
brow as she wondered "what Hamtll
n would think Of It," For two. ye
Josephine had worn a 'solitalre" on
81 third finger Of her left hand and
though her lover was across the oce
she was as true 10 him even In thou
as II he stood beside her, and she blusl
and felt dishonored.
As the conversation grew general,
arose and came down among the gro
and Fanny cried, 81 believe you h
been fast asleep, Josephine What
ycu dream7 Tell us"
She answered slowly, looking tow
Wayne, who sat on the steps smok
~ dreamed l lost a friend"
Tom roared, and said, "oh wha
doleful sound Was Il the nearer
still and the dearer one'7'
'No," she replied, sit was an
ffiend."
Wayne rose and stood unsteadlly. l.
ing right In her face, ana asked, ''Dl'
die Josey 20 and waited with his ciga
his hand for her answer.
The fumes Of the tobacco and theiI