Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-10-24

| thai. saddest oil all sad thl hlngs,--t
is the Last Waltz of the Madman.
Rose"
Philip besilated Tor moment. Why
should he not? She con!d but refuse |;
aud it would be the last time. He
turned to her with look almost OF en-
treaty on his handsome face. "Will
you?' he said. "Will You, Roso?"
lie had never once called her by her
new name-he could rot and the old
name came so thoughtlessly. / beg
your pardon" he said, gravely. With
out reply she rose, and laid her hand on
! his arm.
That waltz could he ever forget il p
with that god-crowned head almost r est
| ing on his shouldor-with that beautiful
face SO close to his own. For this brief
space she was his. At last il came to him
suddenly and sharply, that not one perti-
c.e OF the old love had died out. in spite
OF all his struggles, aud the mantle oi
grim cynicism 10 which he had striVen
10 envelop his better self; that. Roger
Colches'ers wife as she was. she was
dearer to him than any other woman
ever was or ever could be.
"You are tired" he said sharply.
seeing the sudden pallor OF her face, as
she looked up wondering at his long
silence. why did you not tell me? ?"
al, is so beautiful" she said, almost IN
4 whisper. "and so sad. Is 1t not heart
breaking" ?" There were tears in the
great dark ewes ss she turned her head
away; but Philip looking down at her
said not one word.
"Ilow white you are, Rose!' ex-
claimed Emmie, as they came back 10 her.
You should not have danced so long
viz did you let her P"-q little sharply.
okiug up at Philip. Bat Rose aus
xered quietly that it was nothing. she
was only little tired. and she had not
walized for so loug-so very long. She
glanced at Philip; and he, meeting her
eyes. thought OF their last waltz together
in the ~ .'4v..
The music is over for Tonight" said
Enmie. gathering her light cloak about
her. "Eqrlv hours seem 10 be the rule
at tho 'Kearsage.' for the piazza is de-
serted. Gomez" And slipping her
hand through Roger Co'chestpr's arm.
she led The wav. Were going 10 walk
down 10 the 'Pagods.'" she proclaimed.
after few minutes, looking back over
her shoulder. Zone wouId think /, pro,
saic depot bv moonlight. You don't
mind our leaving you for short time.
Rose. as you sre too tired 10 GO. do you,
R0se' Well he back directly The
next momen, Rose and Philip were left
alone together for the first time.
There was moment OF embarrassing
silence rs the two disappeared down The
wide plank walk; and then Philip began
to talk rapidly concerning the scenery.
and especially old Kearsarge ss sppear-
ing by moonlight. the "cloud-eflects" OF
the previous day, etc. nntil he saw the
shimmering glesm Ct Enmie's dress in
the distance, and knew she was return
ing. Then he turned TO the woman
beside him with sudden and entire
change OF manner.
"As you and go our different ways
tomorrow, he said, II will bid you
goodbye tonight But before | go. |
must say one thing which. perhaps. !
ought hot to say now. but which | ought
to have said long ago. II. in the old
DAYS. | was domineering and exacting,-
as | was.-I most sincerely beg your
pardon. We did no. part friends,-lei
Us now, and l wish you every bappi-
ness, Mis-. Colchester"
She was standing beside him. a ileecy
shawl yelling her head and shoulders,
her face turned away from him. and ter
dark eyes looking up at tie iar-away
crown of kea sarge; Lut, as lie spoke
the last word she turned quickly, vivid
blush sweeping across her lace. and
looked up at him with great wonderment
in her wide eyes.
II was in fault, too," she said, after d
little pause, her voice trembling strange
ly. IL have regretted it bitterly. since,
more than you can know,-and ], -
Philip! how could you think it +? lam
not Mrs. Colchester. thought you
knew-it is Emmie."
Very soon after, Emmie returning with
her husband, was electrified by the sight
OF Rose-with head pillowed on Philip
van Dorre's broad shoulder, Philips
strong arm around her, and her beautiful
face, 10 longer pale. but suspiciously
rosy, looking up 10 him in way which
told Of happiness and peace at last.
at is all very well TO 60 seeking ones
fortune in foreign lands, Rose" said
Philip 10 his wife..a few months after
ward, "but don't believe in it. l found
my fortune (aiter long search, though
must coniess) nearer home"
"Where?" asked Rose, looking up at
him with mi.chievous light in her great,
dark eyes.
.Under the shadow OF Kearsarge, love
at North Conway-and at !he moment
han heliaved that | WAS bidding an