The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-10-27
THE SHADOWS OF THE OLD LOVE.

pained too; for the delicate lines around
| the mouth were sharply drawn, and
there was momentary flash across the
brow that would have shown an indltfer-
ent spectator that she too was suffer ng.
Suddenly he stopped and stood mo-
ment looking down upon her; while she
seemed to shrink back almost and cover
before his sad, appealing look.
"Miss Dunlop" he said, in soft, low
voice, "you will forgive me, Will you
not? have been rash, foolish, perhaps
presumng. Let us try to forget it. We
have been very happy during the past
wear, and let us continue as we have
| been-dear friends"
The lady would have spoken, but he
| checked her with motion of his hand.
cone word more, Miss Dunlop" he
said, "for l must say now what II left
| unsaid may remain so forever. l have
hope that my proposal has taken you
| by surprise. Let me still for little
cling TO that hope"
| Tnen she tried to speak again, but not
g. sound came from her mouoning lips.
| There was the tumuituOuS heaVIng OF
| the bosom only to show Vestlge of the
feeling that was almost suf eating her.
With eyes hal-closed she sLlll leaned
back IN her chair in absolute silence.
1 W
ne resumed his walk again. But only
| for single turn across Lle room.
| "Itis but right" he SAID sadly, "that
| | should tell you something more, | had
| a luVe-lream once beiOre-a very sweet
one" rnere were tears i'll his voice
nov, but she seemed not to notice them.
'I5 was in the Eust-Delore came here
to live in Illinois. | was the young clerk
then OF u very wealthy merchant, who
was proud of his position, proud Of his
money, and prouuer thau all oil MS beau
tIiul daughter. she never knew now
much | WUrshipeu her, but ne dld; ana,
| y. now 0ittegiy he crushed IL out OF me!
| But | saw her married to another mer-
cnant-hapDlly married, l hope-wnIle
| Went back TO the gloom OF the count.
ing-room. once there, L tried hard TO
sltie and forget all the bright dreams of
that fist love in the details OF business,
in matter-ol-tact ngures.'
"NellY' came suddenly from her
lightly closed lips.
"IJ was only fair that l should tell you
what | have 10 show you, Mss Dunlop,
thut it is not youthiul first love 1 have
offered you. But L lelt that if our lots
were ined, why, then, tn9 0own-Dill OF
lie would be happy for me, and, God
knows, would strive hard 70 make it so
Tor you. 1t was upon these PLAIN
grounds that l asked you to become my
| Wiie."
Then the long eyelashes dropped very
lar down upon her check, and there was
a little tremor as though the tears were
| forced back. Was she rec0nSldering?
| Would she yet lay those trembling hands
IN his? W oald she Withdraw her dignl-
fed refusal, So chilling i'll it's very Calm
ness? No.
Presently, when her answer came, ii
was as calm us at hrst-noJ a tremor il
single tone.
mo, my friend; it could never be-"
"Weil, be it So" he sald tenderly. 81
am TOO much agltated, and you are per-
haps too much PANIED TO continue this
prohttess and sad conversation. Let
inc matter remain tor Il month; then, il
you permit me, VIII renew my suit. |
Will leave you now"
"No," she said, suddenly speaking
with unwonted energy. DO noL go yet
Mr.. Allen, must speak before you CO."
Then ue turned and bowed talnlly tC
her.
alt is best that | tell you nOW-that
uudGcelYe yOu-Decause IL would be
cruel TO YOU, yes, to us both, to let this
matter end here 10 be renewed again 50
soon"
i Now he gazed upon her sadly, but
seated himself TO listen.
! She was slowly but diligently pulling
a rose TO pieces; and as eacu petal Went
tuttering down upon the carpet she
seemed TO be pluCking out from hel
heart, one by one, lhe tender remem
brances which might have found
lOdgment there.
Then The little lines at the corner o.
L IN, :