Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1874-10-17

Nc Is gtlzlleu ana nlty NO." ne con-
tlnued, more quickly, ~ have had my
day, here in this old farmhouse, without
a rival to dread-wlth no soul to come
between me and the sweetness of your
companionship-I have had my full need
of happiness, and l eovet no half way
Joy in the future. / was not made to
play the part Of despairlng lover.
could not haunt your footsteps for a
smile, a look; or dance attendance at
parties and operas for the pleasure of
bringing you an ice or picking up your
fan. l desplse man who can humble
himself in such a way. Yes, and was
going 10 add, that l despise the woman
who can take pleasure in seeing him do
it,"
He tossed the segar away, and slrode
up and down the porch, which creaked
alarmingly beneath his heavy tread.
ga pretty fellow 1 am to get into such
a rage about nothing" he said at last,
pausipg besides Helen, who still leaned
against the lattlee-work. "Forgive me,
will you mott l will never behave so
again"
81 have nothing to forgive" she
replied with a smile. 81 like to see you
behave badly-it amuses me, and need
to be amused"
SIS It not pity that a man is so ham.
pered by circumstances as 10 be unable
TO assume heroic attitude when he
wishes 2" questioned Tom. seemingly
quite tranquil once more. 81 do not care
TO be taller nor less clumsy; don't even
wish TO amend and revise Iny nose; but l
would like to perfsrm some wonderful
feat which would forever exalt me in
YOUR eyes, and earn for me your eternal
gratitude. l can think of scores-snatch-
ing you from under the wheels of loco
motive; swimming with you TO shore
from q sinking ship, while the waves
were running mountains high; or reGcu
ing you from some desperate armed with
numberless daggers and revolvers. How
delightful 1t would be to hear you sob out
your thankfulness to your brave pre-.
server, as Miss Alicia dc Courcy does to
Percy Fitzgerald in nay last drama AT
present amuse you-am well high as
indispensable TO your comfort as a lap
dog; compel you TO be grateful, and-I
think you could hardly avoid loving me-"
81 should abhor you !" returned Helen.
81 always dislike people to whom l am
under obligations. When am forced to
be grateful to anybody, feel as though
the anybody had string tied to my little
finger and could jerk 1t warningly al
intervals to remind me of my duty"
"On the whole, then," said Tom,
looking down at her small figure, "you
would prefer to rescue me, and listen tC
the sUbbiug assurances of my gratitude
l will improvise some horrible danger
forthwith-plunge headforemost into II
and allow you TO take me out, If you will
be any more likely to care for me in con.
sequence. Let me see-we arc going uI
the valley tomorrow"
"Not we" interrupted Helen. 81 mus
remain at home 10 entertain visitor"
"Do you expect the coming of thai
domestic afilietion, Miss Fletcher Why
not run away from her first thing In th(
morning 2"
cit is not Miss Fletcher" said Helen
hesitating over the words. SIT is-Mr
Hastings"
"Why did you not tell me a day
sooner Z" asked Tom, in hard, con
strained tone.
81 did not know it till this evening, ,
she replied. ''The telegram came onll
an hour ago-iust after we had finished
tea"
''And you are glad" Tom questioned
locke at her with keen glance.
Eyes, suppose SO; it is my duty to b
"Thls is good.by, then, " said Ton, ,afte
some minutes of embarrassing silence.
"Shall not see you tomorrow 7" sh
asked, a li,tle falter 10 her voice.
''No; ! shall be oI by sunrise for las
day in the valley. can take the eveuin
train at March's Bridge--it slacks there
and the conductor knows me, and vii
? not object. If Mr.. Hastings is what h
} should be, you will not want me; If he /
} not--shake hands, Helen. Don't loo
, out the window when l 60 away.
} should only thing of you as looking
} little later for Mr.. Hastings coming"
, "Poor Tom," said Helen to herself,
{ few minutes afierward, as she heard hi
t room door close with emphasis, 81 woudt
I If Ralph ever bange doors or gets int
g rate, aud how the porch iloor did squea
= when Tom walked across it ~
! 81 think con get down there" solil,
qulzed Tom Ford, the next forenoon, pee
. ing over the rocky wall. cat least it
|, worth my while to try-it will save
n mile Of walking If 1 succeed" Swim
:. ing himself over, he crept cautious
!, downward. Half the descent had bet
= made safely, when his foot slipped Al
y he fell, carrying with him the rock
a which he was clinging.
a When he recovered consciousness
y found himself lying at the bottom of Il
- precipice, pinioned to the ground by
> mass os rock and earth which had fall
upon him.
- "Unlucky that 1 have not the use
l ; hn kor Hvaa h.
- the contemplation of his sltuatio
~ swell, must see what / can accompli
~ with one. Phew how in pains me;
, must have bruised it badly comii
- down"
~ As he spoke he attempted to lin t
~ free arm, but it dropped powerless
,o his side. "Broken, as sure Rs fate %
-, exclaimed, with a grimace of mingl'
pain and amusement. "Was ever
,r fellow In a sofrier predicament ~
~ sit won't do" he said, after score
* fruitless Efforts to release himself.
a am here, and here | must stay till so,
T., one comes to my assistance" And the
y uron he shouted at the top of his lun
~ for help. Tho valley gave back
az az echoes of his voice, but there was
an other response
Da Sill, again and again he called-ea
W vi time more weakly than before, for
strength was fast leaving him; but
lucky chance sent a person by Will
m reach OF that despairing cry. The pI
sS of the broken arm was intense, and
Wa cramped position added 10 his mise
M his throat was parched with thirst, vi
Ia the glbre of the sun, as it rose high
10 well nigh blinded him. Iu such age
30 as he had never dreamed of he lay
the weary hours dragged by, and the
- journeyed toward the end.
%, Would help ever come he wonder
IA strainipg his ears to catch the slight
,at sound.
i"' The place was lonely aud deser
sa one-seldom visited, except by Sc
~ wandering artist in search of the pict
AZ esque, and there was no one to miss
~ or grow anxious at his absence. He
-, would take for granted that he l
do returned to the city, and 20 he woHld
! ) left TO perish slowly of thirst
81 starvation.
90 And while he was thus dying
"a would be laughing away the JOY
''N moments with Mr.. Hastings by her 81
,,r Ills fanoles pictured the pair tOget
40 and he ground his teeth in impotent
and despair.
hon Then, as the day declined, and di
II ness, stealing through the val
- wrapped itself about him, half-delus
- fancies came to make him forgetfr
-; pain Helen was beside him-he &C
20 hear her soft tones, feel the clasp of
y, q hand; she did not love Mr.. Hastings,
IS himself, and she had sought him ou
, tell him so. AS the vision vanishel
soie lost consciousness for the first time in
in lie.
nan
elve "rhe view doss not strike me Q
no particularly fine one, my DEAR said
er's Hastings, balancing himself on the
at ing of the bridge, and surveying
u at scenery with a glance of calm dis