Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-11-13
MISCELLANEOUS.
THi GIRL He LEFT BEHIND HIM.

noon light. But one stood apart from the rest
leaning over the stern tafrrsi, gazing with fixed
eyes and thoughtful face. He was man of
about forty five years Of age, of somewhat spare
build, with an ample brown beard and bronze
tanned cheeks. A near scrutiny would have re-
vealed something OF sadness in his eyes at the
moment, as though the prospect OF again setting
foot on his native land, from which he had been
absent Tor many years, WAS not wholly one of
pleasure. 1t was not only the green English
shores that he saw AZ he gszed from the vessels
deck all day, ever since the ship had passed
Plymouth, vison summoned up by the memo
ries which the thought OF that town brought
back, had been floating before his eyes. He saw
cottage ON the outskirts of the town, with
garden slopng to the sea. In the soft twilight
OF the June day, two igureA, youth and girl,
stood IN the garden beneath the lime trees. They
were bidding each other farewell with many pro-
tostations OF nndying love and sconstancy, spoken
from the heart i'll the case OF both. Clrcunstan-
cos were sending the youth from his home to try
Ills fortune fn far-away land. But he would
return, and take the girl, his accepted wife, back
with him and meanwhile she could wait con-
tentedly, assured Of the strength OF his constan-
cy aud her affection. He had gone away, and
we'll, events had not turned out quite as the
youth and the girl had intended.
George Herder had then looked forward to re-
turning to England with somewhat different feel
ingB from those which he WAS at present experi-
encing. Instead OF thoughts of wedding bells,
he was coming back with no deeper sentiment in
his heart than II desire to rec once moro the
friends and home OF his boyhood, before finally
settling in the country Of his adoption, where he
had formed stronger ties, he thought, than any
that now existed for him in the land OF his birth.
And yet dimness gathered In his eyes as the
past came back upon him, and his memories
were neither gloomy nor msanthropic.
On the afternoon of the following day the
lamar dropped anchor Off Gravesend. Most OF
the unmarried men on board went on shore at
once, and among them George Herder. On
reaching London lie took cab, and gave the
man the address to drive to. He was set down
in Heresford Road, Bayswater, at a house in
terrace. He gave the servant who opened the
door his name, and, following her upstairs, ell
tered the room into which SHE showed him Az
he did sos man rose from the table at which he
WAS seated, glanced for moment at the stran-
ger, and then came quickly forward, and grasped
him by both hands.
"George, old man, it is you. Welcome back
to England. But can't tell how feel at seeing
you again, old fellow"
"Did you get my telegram ?" asked Herder
"Yes, got it. | have been talking to my land
lady, and she can let you haye bedroom here,f
you like, and we can share this room in common.
The arrangement might suit you for the present,
at any rate. What do you say :"
ut will do capitally," answered Herder. at
will be convenient our being together, for we
have much to say to each other. I'll need be
piloted about London, too; I've forgotten my
way greatly, and 1 find many of the places
changed"
81 thought of that, too. I'm not very busy
just now, 30 we can have good deal of time
together. l shall be free every afternoon by
four o'clock.
Fred Hammond held position OF some re-
sponsibty in the civil service. Nextday George
Herder's time was chiefly occupied in looking up
~. -. 1,A had
kept up an acquaintance by correspondence.
Hammond and he had finished dinner in their
lodgings, and had produced their pipes, when
the former said live got an engagement for
this evening, which it's too late now to think OF
getting off. Some very good friends of mine
who live in square close by, have sort OF mu-
sical party and conversazone. am on quite
such terms with them as to be able to use the
freedom of taking you with me, il you would
care to go. l can't promise that you will be
greatly interested among lot of people who
are strangers to you but we need only stop an
hour or 30, and it may be less dull than saying
here by yourself. However, II you don't feel
inclined for it, you must try and find something
to amuse you till / come back, and I'll get away
az soon as possible. There are two or three of
this months magazines on the table yonder."
81 don't mind going with you for short time,
il you can use the liberty of introducing me to
your friends," )" said Herder.
Gan right, then wen finish our pipes, and
it will then be auout time to fix ourselves.
Mrs. Norcott entertained sufficient number
of guests that evening to fill her drawing rooms
comfortably without crowding. Music conver-
sation and cards for the more elderly OF the
company formed the staple of the evenings
amusemente. The host and hostess received
Herder with agreeable geniality; but as the
people about him were all entire strangers, it
could hardly be otherwise than that George
should every now and then feel somewhat at
loss what to do with himself. He had exchanged
a few commonplaces with an old Indian officer
to whom he had been introduced, andwas stand
ing in a corner of the room gazing rather alln-
lessy about him, when Hammond came mp and
said "I'm afraid this isn't very lively for You.
but think we need not stay any longer. I've
explained matters to Mrs. Norcott. just want
you to hear this lady play, and then we'll go.
She is one of the best amateur pianoforte- play
ers know, and always consider it treat to
hear her. You used to be fond OF music; l
think you'll like this"
The piano stood at the opposite end Of the
room. While Hammond was speaking, lady
seated herself at it and began playing. AS Her
der looked at her he started 30 evidently that IT
did not escape his companions notice. Was it
possible that he knew that face and figure The
lady WAS middle aged, or a rather small and
slight figure, with face not regularly moulded,
but soft, refined and expressive brown hair,
with ripple in it, and brown eyes. The face
had lost the rounded curves Of girlhood and all
the color that once mantled in it the eyes had
somewhat faded and there were not wanting
lines upon the brow but surely George could
not be mistaken. The light from bracket
above the piano fell upon the player and reveal
ed her face and figure in clear outline. She play
ed an arrangement Of Irish melodies old and IA
milar airs all of them, but 30 delicately and
sympathetcally played the whole room was
hushed to listen. Conversation ceased for the
time, and several OF the card-players from the
adjoining room, abandoning their game, came
forward and stood at the doors while the music
continued. 1t WAS evident that the skill OF the
performer was well known to many OF the COM
pany. Herder listened with rapt ears. The
music was stirring old memories in his heart,
reviving them with strange power. II any
thing had been needed to confirm him in his
recognition of the performer, the music she
had happened to choote would have done so.
We're not some OF these old airs once his chief
favortes, airs that used to haunt him for days
together, and that still came back upon him
now and then The music ceased murmur
of applause went round the room, and the per-
former rose and left the piano.
"That lady plays admirably" observed Hord-
er to his companion, with an effort to appear
calmer than he really felt.
"Ah thought you would like her, answer
ed Hammond. 1.-THE music is simple enough
but whatever Mrs. Valance plays lis played in
| a wav you don't of meet with"
"Vallance! Are you sure that is her name
| asked George, and the DISAPPOINTMENT III hlz
voice was evident. -
Perfectly" replied Hammond, little sur
| prised 81 know her very well. Why do you
| doubt it2'
| "Oh it's of no consequence, suppose wa'
| ..,;at,an . h,,t ito very stranpen The last par