The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-06-16

although thou maun never DO mIne,
Although even hope Is denied,
IT'S sweeIer for thee, despGirIng,
Than atlVht In thu world bctllelu


-BurnL
Two months have passel-sixty days
have slid from the vague future into the
recoverable past, to be numbered with
the blessed, blessed dead. Daphne has
lived years-has been harrMsed by hun
dreds Of arbitrary alterations between
bliss and despair. But circumstances
are not materially changed in the eyes OF
tue world, She has not taken much pains,
it must be confessed, to conceal her senti.
ments, and people say it is only another
case Of the tickle maid OF AldiyalloCh-
"SheS ta'en the Carl, and left her John.
ny" which Johnny, being interpreted, is
Arthur Alfred. Daphne is not more
sordid than most young women, and her
love Tor the reckless, tempest-tossed man
who Smiled her soul away" is more
blind 10 consequences, in its intensity,
than any weak sentiment with which the
generality Of nineteenth century girls
would be inspired. But she has gone too
far towards her marriage with Askwith,
to draw back. Mrs. Leslie, her STEP
mother, whose weak prettiness Daphne
heartily despises, has dissipated their
slender pretences by series Of the Wild
est extravagances; and, Of late, has even
traded on the well.Circulated rumor OF
her daughters coming marriage to a
million. Affection, or lack of it, be.
tween the two women, has nothing TO do
with it. They bear the same honorable
name, and Daphne is bound TO hold il out
OF the mire.
There ia no Concealment between Ar
thur and herself. He knows her reasons,
and acknowledges that they are potent,
all the time crashing his teeth and ours;
ing the fate which withholds from him
the riches which would give him his love.
VERIFY him that hath shall be given,
and from him that hath not shall be TAX
en- away even that which be had" "Dam.
nably unjust, too" he once muttered to
himself, "a that Scriptural passage occur.
red to him.
And now it is the eve OF Daphne
Leisle's wedding. Itis to be attended by
all the pomp and circumstance beIitting
the ceremony which is 10 unite forever
beautiful young woman with golden
young man. Mrs. Leslie has made final
squirt in the point lace and satin with
which her daughter is TO be decked for
the altar.
1t is month since Daphne returned
to her country home, and Alfred has
spent most Of that time in the neighbor-
ing village-"making tour Of the prov.
inces," as some one tacetiously suggested.
Askwith is madly jealous, sometimes.
But she can usually soothe him with a
few caressing words, which cost nothing.
Besides, she has cleverly contrived that
his visits at burnside should be few. lie
is not coming down from town, until the
early train on the morrow. She is de.
termincd that her last evening shall be
left free TO think Of Arthur-to-g 20 over,
in her mind, each detail Of her parting
with him. For they have said farewell.
It was n meagre, fearless last scene.
They both felt the uselessness Of articu.
late despair. There were no kisses, no
mad embraces, not even a lingering hand
pressure. And now, it is all over.
The evening Is far spent. Every one
in the great, wood.enclosed house, is
sleeping the sleep OF the just, save
Daphne. She is pacing slowly, aimlessly
up and down the moon.0ooded lawn
looking ghostly enough in her trailing
white dress,
Gina wlketul dO4A, sho sarrlws
For the hand, the lips, the eyes
[. For tbs meeting Of th1 morrow,
Tho delight Of happy laughter,
The delight oil low replies"
She ha' paused for moment in her
walk to pick up her little, shiyering dog,
and cares him, With u sudden, unac
EQUITABLE iervor. And then she ding,
him away from her, and the small cres
ture limps Oft whining.
"A habit you have with your pets,
SEE" says sharply we'll known voice Al
her side.
"GOod heavens" she cries, petulently
GLOW you frightened me! Your sudden
appearance on the scene reminds me o.
the pleasing habits Of the Cheshire cat il
'tAliCe's Adventures"
"Only without the grin, you had better
ado" replies Alfred, grimly.
"Whydid you come backi" she cried
passionately clasping her hands, ant
looking at him with wide, tragic eyes
IL was Just beginning to feel better, ant
more reconCiled."
"Ah! Daphne, wha, insanityw he ex
claims. "Reconciled! You can mere
be recOnciled. We cannot live without
each other! That Is why have com,
back"
"C .o'est que lie premier pas qui eoale,'
she answers, alphabetically. al dare sa,
we can get along very we'll when we ar,
once fairly started"
Speak for yourself" he Says, harshly
land don't attempt to answer for nv Ia,
ture. What isit butimpenetrable dark
meas? How can grope my way through
J Il? What can | do but curse God ant
die2r
"Hushp she says coldly. "Love neye
kills people. Ihave had scores Of lover
SOME Of them quite as eloquent, aul
. quite ms proiane, as you. And they ar
all alive, and tolerably comfortable, OF
, this eve Of my marriage"
s."Ah!lbut you never loved them as yol