Middletown transcript., 1876-11-11

was checked by the sound Of a comil
step-a firm commanding tread. Bo
knew it. A flush mantled her pale fac
With cold, bitter smile, Cecil Delm
turned away Another instant, and 81
knew he had gone.
"False girlv" he said; twill veal
and position make her happy? Yes
perhaps :? for surely she has no heart fl
aught else. How true! Well, II
dream is over, and life has nothing mol
for me. Could my loss of fortune NAL
her fly from me? All, she might hav
worked for wealth and fame to offer her
How inviting the water looks to-nigh
The waves seem calling me. I will GO.
Cecil, leaving Florence, had wander
ed beside the seashore. Certainly lii
seemed very dark to him then. He be
lieved the mysterious future could nc
be more 80. Mounting on the pier, b
determined from thence to plunge int
the bosom of the ocean.
Although late hour, many person
still fingered there. Cecil seated him
self to wait their departure. At lengtl
all were gone save . party just opposite
"Come, let Us co." said one Of them
"No. no." said voice so peculiarly
sweet that Cecil was suddenly drawn
from his sad musings to listen.
"Do come now, Louise. What are
you stopping for ?" again urged one.
"No, no; want to stay-to enjoy
this scene. What a glorious night
Ours is world of such beauty, often
think how can one wish to leave it !''
said the sweet voice again.
80, Louise, as yet you have only
seen the bright side of life. Clouds may
arise"
eyes, I know. But don't talk Of
clouds. Now only see. The moon has
stolen behind that huge, dark bank. as
if to demonstrate your ideas. But o |!
true to life, the darkness is only tenn
porary Here our beautiful queen
comes forth again, all darkness dispell-
ing. I think the scene of the last few
moments is true picture of life, and
with it lessons too. O, yes, I cling to
our beautiful earth, never fearing its
darkness, which I know must fade
away, and the coming day be all the
brighter for the darkness preceding it"
Was she talking to him? Cecil al
most believed she bad penetrated bis
soul, and was pleading to him for bis
safety.
"Louise, you should have been called
Hope: that name would have just suited
7ou, you are such trusting. hopeful
title body" said one of her companions.
Eyes; I know neither doubts nor
ears. Hope on, hope ever,' is my
MOTTO. Come now, We will 90, if you
,lease."
She arose, with her friends, and
moved with them until within a few
teps of Cecil, when she turned, as if
or a last look on the beautiful scene.
Was it by accident or design that |
luster of natural flowers fell at CeciPs
,et? He had seen them in her hair,
few moments before.
She stopped, as if to regain them, |
hen Cecil sprang forward and caught
lem up. Quickly detaching one, be
anded the others to her. She saw
i'm. be knew, for the night was as
right and clear as the MONDAY. Re-
Giving her flowers, she thanked him
ith smile-a smile SO different from
lorence's smile; not near SO bright,
ut gentle, sweet, pleading, saving
nile. She passed on, and Cecil Del
ar drew bach, from the entrance of the
dark valley" and slowly followed
wed.
Louise, what meant your words and
'tions tonight ?" asked the gentle
rfs lover few moments after, when
ey were seated alone in private par
Harry, you know 1 meant some
ing? 2" she asked.
'Sursly. l know, too. my darling,
was something Of good only"
''Tbank you, Harry" she answered, {
# eyes filling with tears of joy. II
III tell you. You have often said l
uld read ones thoughts. Sometimes J
can. That young man who sat op-
site US thought was waiting our de- +
rture to throw himself into the sea !; 4
watched him closely from the moment
came near. I read despair on every s
'ture. l talked for his ear, and saw s
heard and listened. Believing had
used him to waver in his determine Y
n, l thought possibly I might save 8
n. That was why l dropped my lit b
bouquet and smiled upon him. 1 "
y never see him again, as We leave o
morrow morning. But Heaven grant Il
endeavor may have helped him, if
was in despair, as believed" n
Louise. you are an angel. and have al
ed one man from destruction, know. ia
nat l am, you have made me. If that b
n was in danger, you have saved him
/; l think l saw him leave the pier"
X X X X
Years passed on. during which many cl
es Cecil Delmar's thoughts reverted di
he girl who ssved him. Louise was is
anne to him most beautiful and sa- OF
d. A little flower, faded and yellow, of
treasured away and priced dearly, av
IN all reminders of Florence were st.
and forgotten He often heard of II
in the world Of fashion. Rumor hs
ke Of her as not happy woman. DR.
man that many women smiled upon di
''sighed for" as Florence had said. Y,
ID but little for the smiles Of his ne
}. Perhaps he had looked into the cl.
th of her heart, and found the skel- ca
j hidden there. tn
florence had told Cecil Delmar he fol
work to do. He had done and was wa
doing it Fortune had returned. my
10 crowned him with her brilliant gr'
els. Fair women smiled upon him. on