Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-12-12
The TWO ROBERTS.

Singing softly to himself, RO0er
Edbury rode over dale and over down
In the sweet stiffness of the July night
Hardly a breath of air was stirring il
the branches of the trees. Now and
then an invisible night bird riped +
solitary note to keep him company
and soft waves OF light streamed over
the hills as the queenly moon, well
attended by her guards, rode indolent-
ly down the broad highway of heaven.
The blue dome, looking soft as velvet,
was, like the fabled path OF love, ,strewn
with the golden kisses OF the stars.
AS he gained the last hill, whose
summit gazed on the little watering
place which was for few weeks to be
his destination, he involuntarily drew
rein and sat moment, enjoying the
moonlight scene On his left an old
fashioned brick house reared its twist
ed chimneys aloft. So close was he to
IL that its sharp gables seemed to cut
the air over his head, and only a strip
of green lawn, bOrdered by horse
chestnut trees, separating him from the
windows, cleaning in the moonlight.
.'Sceptre and crown I'd fling them down,
If might"
Robert Edbury hushed his song
when he perceived, for the first time,
his very close proximity to the house
and the windows.
1.-The substantial home of some sub
stantIal farmer" he said to himself
81 had better move on, or his daught-
ers may think l am serenading them. l"
Too late! Just thena window was
opened softly overhead, and a lady's
face appeared at it. In the rush of
bright moonlight Robert caught sight
ofthe long ripple Of gold cleaning
hair, and was sure that the face was
lovely. AT any rate the voice was.
Robert, dear, is that yOn?"
For half a minute Robert EIbury was
mute with surprise, and made no an
swer.
"Is it you. Robert. Why don't you
speak?"
He spoke then. low, and with hesita-
ton.
How did you know it was I?''
"Of course / knew it was you"
There was dash of petulance in the
sweet voice now. "Who else but you
would be riding and singing In that
absurd way at this hour of the night,
duO udliiuS OclOlO lI0 uOuots I1dN0
you cold, Robert? Your voice sounds
different from what it usually does"
''Perhaps it is the night air." an
sTered Robert, wiekedly, and getting
his wits partially together, COR | may
have cracked it with singing" But
still he spoke in the most subdued of
tones. ~ did not expect the pleasure
of speaking with you"
"Fhe very idea of your coming upl
on horseback at this night hourI You
know you ought not to be out. Why
did you do 1t? Where are you going?
Into Spafield?"
ITO be sure"
"But what for?'
ITO see friend"
'Who is it?' came the quick response.
'Not-not Nelly Cameron9-with a
shade OF jealousy in the tone now.
"Are the Camerons receiving this
EVENING"
Not that know Of, returned Rob-
ert Edbury, promptly, Il swear to
you | was not going to see Nelly Cam
eron have not spoken with a single
young lady to-day, except YOURSELF
'Poor RObertp and little laugh !
rippled lightly on the air. But do go. |
You know what your health is, and
that you have no business to be riding
at this time of night. You ought to |
take better care of yourself. You will
be laid up tomorrow, your voice al.
ready sounds strange and altered. |
Good night
'One moment cried Robert Edbury, (
earnestly, as he lasped from his horse,
fastened the bride to the gate. and |
stepped inside beneath the window |
where cleaned that mysterious, en-
face. "Won't you give me a |
Can easily reach that clust.
ering vine by your easement. Perhaps
| shall wish TO ask you some
great offense. Won't you give me a |
flower for a token?'
How strangely you talk, or course
would give you flower; but these |
are only hOney-suckles, and you know
we promised to give each other moth
ing but roses. But stayr-the pretty |
voice caught itself. Il have bunch oil
vIolets on my table. Would you like
themp
'Anything-anything that comes
from your hrndsp whispered Robert.
more sincerely than he always smoke.
The bright face disappeared mo I
ment from the window and then re.
turned-a white hand cleaned in the
moonlight.
There. take them, and now YOU
must &c! Qdlek! l hear some one
Suppose it shold be mamma!
Good night dear Robert
The window was softly closed. and
In an Instant after Robert was gropipg
for the violets in the wet grass. He
found them where they fell. But, as
they were falling, the quick ewes of
Robert Edbury had discerned some
thing, bright as star, falling too. The
small strip of grass where he had stood
was entirely in the shade, hidden from
the light by the large horse chestnut
trees, and he had to grope in the dark
for this glittering thing. An instant'sl
search revealed it to be what he sus
pected-a lady's bracelet. 1t was a
slender circlet OF gold, studded with
crystal. The quck movement had
it from her arm; and Robert
with smile. put it Iside by side
with the withered bunch of Violets in
bis pockets as he rode away.
''Sceptre and crown I'd fling them down y
,ang Mr.. Edbury as he rode swiftly on
10 the purple dusk of the trees, 'Sceptre {
Dr. crown, II had them, I'd fling them S
1own for the one bare chance of hear n
ing that lovely voice once again.
He was alone; there was no one to
zee him; and taking the violets out OF
lis pocket he kissed them tenderly, 1t Il
vas most absurdly silly of him to do SC
t; but who of US does not do siIIv{
hings in the heyday OF our youths
Silly things that we blush {
or afterward, perhaps; just as Robe b
ldbury blushed when putting Q