Middletown transcript., 1876-11-11
Saved by a Woman's Smile.

ionable resort of the time, that from on
of the windows foated out in the even
ing air woman's voice. She was sing
ing an old song-Kathleen Mavour
neon. There was world of passion il
her tone, passion really felt, not affect
ed, one was wild enoug b to believe, as
leaning over the instrument, he listen
ed to her song. She had a wonderful
voice; SO full and powerful now, and
then again lulling one into blissfu
dream by its soft sweetness.
The song was finished. Both the
words and music had penetrated the in.
most soul of Cecil Delmar.
why did you sing that song, Flor
ence ?" he asked.
because it pleased me-" she ans
wered, raising her eyes to bis and smil-
ing.
How beautiful she was! And her
smile "Did ever woman smile as
Florence Darlington ?" many have ask
ed; such bright bawildering smile
was hers.
Florence, do you know your smile
is the brightest that ever fingered on
woman's lips ?" Cecil said, gazing low
ingly on her.
$50 many have told me-" she ans
wered, with provoking carelessness.
"Aye, Florence, a smile which car
ries man almost to heaven when it is
given to him, or sinks him to the realms
of despair, if turned on another. Flor
ence, never hear that song, Her
bright smile haunts me still,' but I
think of your smile, and feel as the poet
must have felt. Yes, love, even in eye
and heart it has lived, cheering, com
forting, and bringing me back to you,
ever constant and true"
"There, there, Cecil, do stop! One
would think you were rehearsing for
private theatrical" she said, turning
again, and running her fingers over the
kegs of the instrument.
"Florence
"Cecil, please do not stare at me so
it is very impolite. should have
thought your travelling abroad would
have polished and changed you little,
she said.
"Changed! Florence, what do you
mean ?" he asked.
II mean, Cecil, that three years
might be expected to bring change to
all. When you left home, l was child,
not knowing my own heart, and you"
"a man, Florence, giving his heart
with perfect faith to a girl be believed
loving, constant and true p' Cecil ex-
his voice trembling with emo
tion.
Nonsense, Cecil Ours was but
boy-and-girl affair. and years have"
"Changed the artless, loving girl to
woman of the world, no longer con-
ent with the devotion of one heart
Florence, you are trying me; say it is
TO-"
"No. Cecil /; nothing of the kind. 1
m sorry to grieve you, but it will only
'e passing cloud And you will, per-
laps, thank me for considering your
uture welfare. You have work to do
or years yet. Cecil your fortune to
etrleve; name to make. And then
'ou can think again of love. You
Vrong me when you say I am not con-
ent with the devotion Of one heart. Il
m, and proud of it, too. But it is the
cart of one bis country is proud Of
Ind when SO many fair women were
ighing for what I have won, l should c
e content. See, Cecil"
She took from her pocket little Dor q
rait, and handed it to him. 1t was the g
ice of one Cecil had seen lingering
'ng beside her the night before one b
e had known by reputation for years /; 8
,e most popular and polished gentle I
ian Of the time and place. i
"Now, Cecil, I have acted candidly
ith you can we not still be friends ?"
He knew all then-knew she was lost =
him-knew that the hopes of years v
ere crushed-knew that the girl before d
in was false. Aye, but knew not that v
ore than to him was she false-false =,
the pleadings of her own heart O
mbition bad conquered in the contest, 3
ID love was buried in the hidden re- 81
sses of her heart. The false girl n
inly thought that in the brilliant Of
ture she would win. if not happiness, ii
least content. oblivion Of the past. p1
The compressed lips parted be was in
out to speak to her-te upbraid, per- q
ance, with words Of forgiveness to b,
rt. Whichever it might have been Ii