The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1876-05-17

i''0iy "s she uiu tnIS nlSnL one year
ago, when | was forced to leave her in
pain, if not resentment All, yes
her smile was ever brightest for me,
and Byrd Kirby might have spared
herself that long TRADE with which
she set me free, had she known it was
freedom l craved as the bird whose pin
ions are scorched"
And this busy thought impels on
ward flying feet, until before he knows
1T quite he stands on the hearth-rug
where he stood just one year ago, wait
ing the entrance of her to whom
he brings his New-Year's gift.
The door opens quietly. and May
Igleheart:glides in with all'the selfpos-
session and grace of queen. Her
cheeks crimson fitfully as she recog-
nizes the face of her visitor. There
is a perceptible start of surprise, and
then she sweeps forward gracefully, as
she murmurs in tones marred neither
by excessive grief nor joy:
"Ah, well! you have come then to
redeem your engagement for the dance,
so abruptly broken last year? 1 am
quite glad to see you, Mr.. Stanley even
at so late an hour. Pray, be seated"
He goes toward her, and takes her
hand in both of his own. She left it
to him, 'and he kissed it again and
again.
Still, something in the complete
calmness of her manner, the strange
glitter in her bright blue eyes, daunts
the young man for an instant, causing
him to finch and filter ere he frames
a reply.
80, May can you ask why came,
knowing of my old devotion to your"
She did not speak, however, and her
cold fingers returned no pressure to his.
mo, May; have come for some
thing better still. 1 have come to
bring you token of faith and loyalty
to you. 1 have come to bring you a !
New Years gift which l have been |
keeping for you-only you"
''Is it not too late ?"she asked coolly. |
at rests with you entirely. 1 trust
not"
Tomorrow, then, We will see."
"No, tonight"
Eager-hearted as boy, his thoughts
burn with longing to ask the question
nearest his soul, but, fenced in by the
shield of this woman's graceful ease,
he finds it impossible. Ever and
anon bright flashes of the girl, whose
eye once trembled and fell beneath his
gaze, beauties the calm face before
him: yet with it all there. is some
change, something lost or gained, some
thing new to him, a womanly reserve
which he cannot fathom.
And thus hour is added to hour in
light conventional talk, and he is not
nearer making good his gift to her
than when he first entered.
"But before we part tonight, May,
you will tell me whether or not you
will take this gift 1 bring you!"
at is quite nice, then? Pretty as
his ?" she enquiries, quettishly toy
ng with a heavy gold locket suspen-
led from her throat.
at is myself-my own love-" he
'eplies, passiOnately, as he stoops and
Kisses her cheek quickly, opening the
ocket, aud in confused way asking:
"And whose picture is this ?"
The girl trembles from head to foot
It his caress, yet. withdraws herself Q
proudly as she Jelly responds:
"The man to whom I am engaged
Stabbed to the heart, Philip STAN
ey cries only, Gross Newton ?"
eyes, he whose wealth restores our
allen fortunes; he who consoles me for
he loss of such as you, Philip"
His own words thrown cruelty back !;
Ipon him to rankle in his heart forev-
rmore. I
Their hands clasp coldly. A smile,
bow, and Philip Stanley is out in the v
treet, a griefburdened man. Day -
awns ere his weary feet seek a place e
f repose. a
1.-THE mills of the gods grind slowly"
New Years Eve. A night as .
weet and soft and balmy as June's e
wn. In the sky bright stars sing
ongs together. On the light, warmth c
nd merry-making reign" o
Seated by an open window May lyle fl
carts head is dropped upon one hand "
Time has not stolen one 6
ace of beauty from the face in all Ell
i've sadness the same. 1t is lovely
ill. though sad "a the thouohts which p