The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-06-28

riminal that my punishment was 30 heayy7
An, Frank / cried, how / have loved
life might have been = Then
effected, if Mr. Lacy loved me as loved
ny cousin, what fine spirit and nature he
had shown what rare gift such heart
va5l Miserable as l was, it was deeper
misery to think that was the cause of his.
was very ill after these events, and fears
for my health quite absorbed any anger my
ather might have felt at the disappointment
Of cherished desire, or perhaps Mr. Lacy,
by his representations, had shielded me
against it. When recovered people said |
was very much altered; aud so / was. The
flush of youth was passed; was not 20, but
nothing Of the chiIdisbness of few months
back was left. Frank was married, and Mr..
Lacy we never saw--at least / never saw
him. Disappointment had made life an ear
nest thing to me, and taught by It's discip-
line the character Of my former love rose in
dignity in my eyes,
How was it that what I had thought
would be lifelong regret-my love for my
which the tcaces grew daily ieebler? Had
| sacrificed my happiness to passicg fancy2 |
Or was it that at my age one cannot long
cling to the impossible? Little sigpi6ed |
the couIrarlety of my heart for the fact re-
mained-it | had never loved Mr.. Lacy be-
fore, loved him now. | thought petpetu-
ally of the incidents of our brief engage
ment-everv word of endearment every EN-
brace had its hold on my memory. recall
ed his opinions, framing my own ssringent-
ly by them. and followed his public career SO
far as | was able, aided by my deep knowl-
edge of the high principles and motives that
actuated it.
My chance came at last. At a large din
ner parry unexpectedly met Mr.. Lacy. He
came to me at once, spoke kindly aud geut-
lv. as in long past time bat there was noth-
irg 20 lead to the idea that he still loved
memo hesitation in the well.known voice,
no latent tenderness in the searching ewes.
| could not bear it, and wished he would
leave me to myself and not torture me with
that crn..i friendship. At my first opportu-
nifty ] ,ucned from him, and engaged myself
in conversation with gentleman who was
well know TO be Que of my suitors 1t ap.
peared like coquetry, but it was the eager.
ness of sef.n tinct. That evening seemed
very long and insupportably painful l had
not known how lenaciously had clung t
, hope until it failed me- When Mr.. LACY
came forward to help me 70 my carriage
felt could hardly receive the ordinary civ
lily from him without betraying myself.
; was surprised when he begged me t
turn into an empty room we passed on ou
way to The ball, Mildred, he said, Il wa
going 10 ask you when we first met to- night
whether l might resume my old relation il
: your family. Nearly two years have passe
since we last met, and / thought at least
coOld bring you back the calm heart of
friend. But you have so studiously shunne
me that to ask permission now seems super
: not forgiven me yet for the misery cos
you?
L
feet aud sobbed out the truth l might hav
been blessed for life, but that would hav
been too great sacrifice for even love t
exact from a woman's pride.
IF the deepest sympathy in your dsap
pointmeut could enttle me the character o
friend-Mr. Lacy paused-'you woul
= give lie your hand willingly. Pardon me
r Mildred, for what may seen to be an uuman
ly allusiou, but it is the best to make lit
r there is any chance of future f,ieodship be
| tween Us. II was hard work to give you ur
5 harder still TO feel the sacridce had been i
vain. Had vou been happily married,
| could have returned to you sooner but sui
f fering. and to feel l had no power
e soOthe -
e This generosity was too much for me.
r rosc up hastily from the seat had taker
t Il cannot bear it, | said rashly the pa,
3 has been cruel eaough, but that is wors
r than all. Oh, am miserable Friends "
d can never be-le, me go home : l spok
d with the frettulne,s of child he locke
amazed.
Am again deceived?' he asked. / WI
told that the gentleman | saw with you tn
evening, Mr. Bransom, was yodr acceptt
: lover. | know him well he deserves yoI
: Mildred | rejoiced to see you bright an
y animated, as you used TO be, in his society
y to think there was no blight on the tutu
for you at least. What can you mean "
- will not lisk, surely, the happiness of bolt
u Pardon me- he added, colorng, Il forgot,
have not even friends right to warn
= On the brink of ones fate, to deliberea
" is to lose all.
Mr.. Bransom is nothing to me, | sal
ID white aud trembling, and will never
more. The past will not let itself be so ic
n. gotten My tone seemed to excite him.
Mildred = he exclaimed, passionatel
"a did you then love him so much All, h
:. niue been the power He drew lol
n. breath and fixed for moment gaze on n
r. face that solved my last doubt, broke do'
the last barrier.
5 Frank has long been forgotten | sa
l. and instinctively held out my hand. 'Th
a. was child's love. What / want of the
d. ture is to be what the past once promise
~ Mr.. Lacy.
SIS stood erect and spoke audibly up to Il
"a point, but here my head dropped, my chez
burned, yet from no ignoble shame. O
Or quick glance of searching astonishment, @
at rapturous exclamation and was folded
his arms,
IL Mildred forgive my doubt You have
Z GREETED me-you love'me? ?
is Beyond what you have asked | sta
mered, hiding my face on his shoulder, 4
d, youd friendship, feel | have found |
We ark of refuge