The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-04-28
HALF SHADOW.
"He dare not fail to Gomez

nAGF 00AOOws
"He dare not fail to come."
| The blue eyes flashed wickedly, the
dainty toe of No. tapped the stile
steps impatiently, and the plump, girlish
figure was poised gracefully against the
railing.
All day the air had been laden with
moisture; the dense fog had been de.
pressing, and, tired of the house, Kate
Scithneu went out into the air and was
standing now, just where the dark gray
cloud was vanishing, just when the gor-
geous glory of a spring sunset was max
ing the sOmbre blackness of the east re.
splendent with arefection from its own
magniticence; right above her head the
war OF clouds was raging. For mo.
ment a, look of intense pain crossed her
lace, and she looked up, saying:
| 'Oh dear, am always halfin shadow" )"
| The next instant song, wild and un.
tanned, broke the Sunday evening still
ness, and the words, "Distant beams
like floods of glory" were heard by a
horseman as he cantered up the lane. A
second more, and he stood beside her.
"Were you waiting and watching for
me? II seems century since l saw you.
On, have so longed and prayed that
this, Of all other days, might be fair"
| There was an indetinable air of sup
pressed passion about him. She looked
at him steadily for moment, and re-
piled.
"Arthur, you aknow that is danger
GUS ground to be on. Not for worlds
would l have you give me a thought
that would be dishonOr to Nina"
The name was spoken with passionate
yehemence; the plump white hand al
most crushed the elegant diamond ON her
finger.
'sYou know you dare not give me the
devotion OF a whole heart. 1 will not
| and can not be second in anything"
"Yes; know am engaged. l did it
to crafty my mothers love of match
making; and he is elegant and rich, and
handsome and cynical, and heartless; /;
and 1 am poor anu spoiled, and childish
and wretcned. can't be woman.
came out here to get beyond the social
creed OF conventionalities and ceremo-
MES. / suppose l am your swild, un-
tanned birdliMg.' can't help it. 1 don't
want to help it; and 1 do want to be bad.
Nina loves you in the everyday, prosaic
fashion. You care tor her, as a matter
of course. She will make you a good
wife. She is gentle and politic-just the
wife Tor physician; and so the monot-
ony begins. SO OF course l know ,some-
know that i am to be somebody else's."
Her eyes were flashing and sparkling;
her lace was flushed and animated. A
Grecian Hebe would have blushed to
have been SO bewitcningly lovely, stand
ing on an old stile, talking to village
student.
"Kate, do come in out of the damp"
The tone was gentle and beseeching.
1t seemed to wake the listener from a
painful dream.
'In moment, auntie."
Then turning, laughing merrily and
saucily, said:
ii have read you lecture, Arthur;
forget it. l was only trying you-come."
Then she bounded lightly through the
shrubbery on to the porch, and in pass
| ing threw her arms impulsiveiy around
tall, matronly-looking person, and
| Whispered:
"You blessed old auutie, you love me,
don't your
"Darlingp
The word was spoken tenderly, low
ingly, motherly, with a delicate tone OF
pity, and, kissing the proudly passion
ate lips, she lett them.
Arthur Rallston was the son of min
lister. He had been beautifully raised
and educated, lately spending his VIM
ters travelling. He had acquired the
ease and grace of man of the world,
| without the blaze cynicism they boast
of.
| Kate Scithnell was a petted child,
proud and sensitive; had all her life
been thrown into fashionable city soci-
ETY., and was long ere now sick OF its
cant and hypocrisy, and sought true
Lille among the rural districts OF Eastern
Mary land. The darling wish Of her
mothers heart had been for Kate to
make brilliant match; and now her dc.
sire seemed almost gratitied, for the pet.
ted idol OF her soul has won the diStin-
Qa.e beau of.tne season.
During kate's three months stay in
the country her odd, daring independ.
ence, quaint, childish ways had won the
admiration OF Arthur Rallston, who has
from a child, been betrothed to his cous'
lin, Nina Talbert. His intensely poeti.
cal nature had been unknown even to
himself until Kate Scithnelps untamed,
Joyous vivacity burst upon him like 9
spring sunbeam after the long monotony
OF winter clouds. Their friendship haC
Increased every day, and the evening
our story begins is the last they expect
to spend together, perhaps forever, tol
Kate leaves for home Tomorrow. AT
ter tea they sauntered out to the arbor
the sky was filled with vapory clouds
and ever and anon the moon would bt
shadowed SO softly that its very hgh
was mesmerism.
"Shall you miss meW
The question was half-archly spoken
and u heartless laugh followed. She
looked up and saw his lips quiverinl
with suppressed feeling, the deep, dari
gray eyes were flashing passionately
but he neryed himself steadily and re
piled:
"Don't ask me now; dare not tel
how much; but sometime, God only
knows when, shall be free.n
sArthur, know you love me. dom
want " Leave you. Don't let me 50.