Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1877-08-30

as IilpaipaDle as the mist, yet per-
haps as enduring as time itself.
The understanding between them
in the old time had not been rati>
fed by an engagement, SO they had
not corresponded, and Clifford had
received but meagre news from
home. So he was still to hear of
the Lisle's reverses.
After this disastrous ending to
the first evening of Theo's expert,
ment, her life went on shaded by
this new sorrow, but made cndura.
BILE by q cycle of faithfully perform
ed duties.
It was Sunday. The soft rustic
of dresses and the sound of entering
feet had ceased. The last note of
the organ voluntary was trembling
upon the air, when a voice of mar
velous sweetness took up the strain,
Il know that my Redeemer liveth."
With one impulse, the congre'
cation rose and stood spen-bound,
while the pure young voice rendered
this wonderful solo.
After the services were ended
and the crowd of worshippcrs
emerged into the open air there
were many inquiries as to the
identity of the newly engaged
soprano.
One member of the church had
no need to inquire. He we'll knew
the voice as Que whose rich tones
had charmed his heart from his
keeping in by-gone days, and each
note, as 1t rang out in that sacred
place, seemed to reawaken hopes
sweet music in his soul as he rcsolv-
ed to make another effort to break
through the barrier that had arisen
between Theo. and himself.
He had found ont her place OF
residence, and had called several
times without being able to gain
admittance. This occurred SO many
times that he had at last concluded
Theo. did not wish to see him, and
choose this method of showing her
indifference. lie had tried to
Danish her from his thoughts, but
in vain.
Since his retnrn our poor Theo.
had fought hard battle with her
wayward heart, The mere mention
of his name would send the blood
tingling through her veins tumnlt'
uously. She knew that she loved
him, but she had succeeded in
keeping her mother and sister in
ignorance Of her weakness.
One day she was seated at the
piano, ostensibly practicing; but
the listless manner III which she
touched the keys betrayed a mind
pre- occupied.
She started, as Clara entered the
room suddenly, with note for her.
Its direction was in familiar hand,
which in former days she had often
seen on cards attached to baskets
Of flowers.
Her heart throbhed violently as
she broke tue seal and read
"THEo.-Will you grant me an
interview, that l may leaan why l
am denied your friendship Ii any
misunderstanding has arisen be-
tween US, it is my due that may
explain it away. If, en- the contra.
ry, you have lost ali interest in one
whose whole future will be made
or marred by his place in your
esteem, it is but just to let me know
the truth.
81 will call at eleven o'clock to-
morrow TUESDAY morning), and if
You do not see me, | shall know
the worst, and will spare You the
pain of ever again meeting
CLIFFORD MARspEN."
If the young lover could have
seen the kisses lavished npon his
| note, he would have been spared
the long hours of doubt that inter>
vened between its reception and
the time of the appointed interview.
The next morning Theo. was
awaiting her lover. AS she heard
his approaching footsteps the altern-
ate flushing and paling of her face
betrayed her emotion.
She rose as Clifford entered. -
One moment her finger trembled
IN his clasp as eye met eye in a
long, heart-revealing gaze-the
next she was folded to his heart.
"My own darling Theo. - he
murinured.
The talisrnan of silence for few
brief, sacred moments consccrated
the room; then mutual explanations
sweet to the long divided lovers
took place.
After time, Clifford drew Theo
to the piano, saying:
at was hearing your sweet voice
in that glorious anthem which
gave me courage to make one more
attempt to see you. A voice sale