The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-04-04

head. Pm so sorry. never guessed 1t, in
deed. OF course it was very foolish f; and how
you could-but you'll soon get over it,
Her well-meant consolation only stabbed
me more keenly. The rain fell in a constant
"spit, spit' down the chimney on to the hot
Goals. A NANCY hen sauntered into the room
and commenced picking at my boot heels.
The wet from our two umbrellas tricked to-
gether in little pool on the muddy floor.
IL would give my life to win you.nI sobbed
out, ashamed to lift my head; "and cannot.
cannot"
''No you can't she said firmly Then af-
ter moment, in which l did not speak 81
think had better 60 away"
Another sieuce; then in a softer tone !.
"Don't cry. Please, please DON'T Pm NOT
worth it bit, and Pm so sorry! Oh! Won
poor boy! l wish you wouldn't-I am so
very, very sorryv'
The coaxing fingers giided from nv head to
the hands which covered my face. I felt
their kindly clasp for second; then light.
gentle touch, like the brush of rose leaf on
my forehead, and-she was gone!
Before could reach the door she was al
most ct the entrance of the alley, and knew
l had lost her forever.
went home that day feeling like a man
who has passed through heaven aud lost II
forever. Only the touch on my forehead re-
NAMED to save me from utter misery. If I
had had one grain OF common sense, l might
have known that it was the seal OF my con-
demnatlon. the surest sign that she did not
and could not love me as loved her. for one
single moment; but I was mad-mad as only
a mar who loves vainly can be.
A telegram was lying on my clearinghouse
table. L did not even notice it till evening -
was too wretched; but when the Girl came
| in to lay the cloth, she pointed it out to me,
and tore it open. 1t was from nv mother,
summoning me to Chichester on important
business. VI courae hurried off by the first
train on the following day; and on my arrival
| was informed that the rector of Farleycombe
"a pretty, rural village about three miles
from BlDchester-was just dead; and my
mother had prevailed with the patron, an
old admirer of her own, to offer me the living.
An income of six hundred wear mine in
one day!
OF course l had to stay some days in Bib
chester to settle matters. Nearly ten indeed
had elapsed before l returned to town TO bid
adieu to St. Stephens and seek out Juliet.
Yes, come what might, had resolved to find
her, and implore her to try and love me suf.
| ficiently to give up her London life and share
my own comfortable, if quiet home, among
| tie green and sunny Kentsh hop feds.
Naturally, with this view, went first to Mrs.
| Bosely.
CAN you be a-goin' away. too. sir!" cried
| the dame, when told the news. "Well, ]
never! Seems like as I'll be left AL alone
| am my rheumatics that bad. nv legs is
swoolen right up, an the Precipitation runs
off me in streams, it DO. Yes, sir, had to
take they things off the door, they did make
| it so drafted eavy, an stuff the air up so
and now Miss Julit's gone-God bless her
she won't take no offence"
| ssThen she is gone p, T asked. halt expect.
ing it. and making I'm NV mind to follow
her.
"Goue! Ell. yes. sir. all the wav to italy.
she and her husband tbonob what.snmdever
thew wants in that Ponisn Mace I can't inn.
aoine for the life o. me All she were .
darlin. she were! inst Zee look Al The niece
O. cake she sent me. Amt it a bio lump
| An there's her letter. which THERE'S Summit