Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1878-07-11

uOuSo, anu Ill unusually 1dISo SdIucA op
pertaining thereto. Up and down the
grayeled walk PAGES Gerald Sorthwick,
moodily smoking fragrant cigar. On
the air is borne sound as of an irregular
bass solo, varied by the occasional squeak
of shriller stripged instruments. .~'
II It denotes that half mile off, in the
little town of Sorthwick, an archery ball
is being held. The committee, in view
of his fathers recent death and his own
social ruin, had decided not to send the
customary remainder; but Gerald, with q
poor mans morbid sensitiveness, misinter-
prets the kindness. With an impatient
movement, expressive of disgust, losses
away the half-smoked cigar. Italights on
the soft turf of small croquet- ground
and lies smoking. Then, with curious
smile, he crosses and picks it up careful
~.
II had forgotten myself" he mutters:
"the last OF the box, and brand am
not likely to Taste yet awhile"
So, with the cigar between his teeth, he
passed through the gate, and across green
meadowland toward the town.
The music grows distinct rs he ap
prOaches.
I think am wise," he reflects bit.
terly.
left the old life quite behind me. Gerald
sorthwick, tea-trades, China. Vague,
that, and it is about all I know; but I
shall be better out there. The old po-
sitions, habits. instinct, "reminiscences,
would be so many dead weights in
England"
A wealthy tradesman passes him, and
touches his hat. Gerald acknowledges
the courtesy with that market politcness
which has ever won him popularity with
his social interiors, but the incident
re-awakens latent eyniclsm.
"How long would that last2" he Won
ders. Formerly it meant you are my
patron, ten times richer than l. Now it
should be for me to doff the hat in greet
ing"
The cigar burns close to his lips; he
splits it out and hesitatcs.
II must see her face, once" he groans
my vow Notwithstanding and as the
church clock strikes ten he stands in the
black shadow of some trees, looking
across bowling green at the great doors
OF the Assembly Rooms, to which heated
couples come from time to time to inhale
the soft, pure air. and perhaps draw in.
spiration from the moonlight. At length
he sees her, leaning on Captain Halls
arm, and laughing gaily.
A bitter imprecation rises to his lips,
but he suppresses it. "Are you content
now, stupid?" he asks himself.
A bird twitters on Dough near him,
and by force of subtle association, in
strange mockery, the recollection comes
how he had once startled Maud by per-
wasfect imitation of her doves cooling; it
wien they were most friendly, before
Captain Halls advent.
ut shall be your signal when you
want me, and am talking to disagree
able people," she had said. He wonder
ed whether she would remember the in
cident, and wish grew upon him to try
the experiment.
They had ceased talking, Maud and
her partner, and were gazing straight
toward him; but there was safety in the
shadow, he knew.
"Coo- o-or' A soft note, thrice repeat
he saw Maud start violently, and
tremble. Captain Hall thought it was
with cold.
1.-THE night air is too Chill" he said
''let US return"
"No, I cannot leave the moonlight:
but you may fetch my wrapper, if you
will be SO good.'
The watcher beneath the trees saw him
vanish; saw Maud's gloved hand pressed
to her heart, as though to still its beating.
Then he marveled for d moment whether
sight were playing him false, for white
figure glided towards him through the
moonlight, needless of the dew that
oakcd flowing robes and satin slippers.
"Gerald !" it cried.
He drew her into the shadow.
"say good-by to me, Maud" There
was queer tremor in the voice.
''Good-by?" she asked, wonderingly.
II leave England tom brow. Will ycu
not bid me good-by, my lost darling?'
Captain Hall appeared in the doorway
at that moment, searching with great as.
constituent for his partner; but they
were happily unconscious of the fact, fol
two bare arms were around Gerald's neck
and a sweet voice was whispering:
"Love--love will you not stay, for my
sake2"
So it came to pass, that "Gerald Sorth-
wich, tea-trader, China, remained myth
only.