Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-12-27
THE TWO ROBERTS.
The Argosy.

THE TWO ROBERTS,.
The Argosy.
Singing softly to himself, Robert Ed
bury rode over dale and over down, y
in the sweet stiffness of the July night.
Hardly breath of air was stirring in
the branches of the trees. Now and
then an invisible night bird piped a sol
itary note to keep him company, and
soft waves of light streamed over the
hills as the queenly moon, we'll attended
by her guards, rode indolently down the
broad highway of Heaven. The blue
dome, looking as soft as velvet, was,
like the fabled path of love, strewn
thickly with the golden kisses of the
stars.
AS he gained the last hill, whose sum-
nit gazed on the little watering place
which was for a few weeks to be his
destination, he involuntarily drew rein
and sat silent moment, enjoying the
moonlight scene. On his left an old
fashioned brick house reared its twisted
chimneys aloft. SO close was he to it
that its sharp gables seemed to cut the
air over his head, and only a strip of
green lawn, bordered by horse-chestnut
trees, separated him from the windows,
cleaning in the moonlight.
Scepter and crown I'd fling them down.
If might
Robert Edbury hushcd his song when
he perceived, for the first time, his very
close proximity to the house and the
windows.
The substantial home Of some sub
stantial farmer he said to himself Il
had better move on, or his daughters
may think | am serenading hem."
Too late! just then a window was
opened softly overhead, and lady s
face appeared at it. In the rush of
bright moonlight Robert caught sight of
the long ripple of gold cleaning hair,
and was sure that the face was lovely
At any rate, the voice was.
" Robert, dear, is it you?'
For half minute Robert Edbury was
mute with surprise, and made no an
swer
1t is you, Robert: why don't you
speak?'
lie spoke then, low, and with hesita-
ton.
How did you know it was r.
'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, and halting
before the house? Have you cold,
Robert2 Your voice sounds different
from what it usually does"
Perhaps it is the night air, answer
ed Robert. wickedly, and getting his
wits partially together 'Or | may have
cracked it with singing" But still he
spoke in the most subdued Of tones. II
did not expect the pleasure of speaking
with you"
The very idea of your coming up on
horseback at this night hour! You
know you ought not to be out. Why
did you do it? Where are you going?
Into Spafield?''
TO be sure.
But what for?'
d" To see a friend
"Who is it?' came the quick re-
sponse. ''Not-not Nelly Cameron"
with a shade of jealousy in the tone
now. Are the Camerons receiving this
EVENING"
Not that I know of" returned Rob
ert Edbury. promptly. Il swear to you
| was not going to see Nelly Cameron
| have not spoken with single young
lady to-day, except yourself.
. Poor Robert" and a little laugh rip
pied lightly on the air. But do 60
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 already
sounds strange and altered. Good
night"
'One moment, cried Robert Edbury,
earnestly, as he leaped from his horse,
fastened the bride to the gate, and step
ped inside beneath the window, where
cleaned that mysterious, enchanting
face. Won't you give me flower
you can easily reach that clustering
vine by your easement. Perhaps
haps | shall wish to ask you sometime
to forgive me some great offense. Will
you not give me flower for a token?'
:" How strangely you talk! Of course
| would give you flower; but these are
only honeysuckles, and you know we
promised to give each other nothing but
roses. But stay!' and the pretty voice
caught itself. Il have bunch of vio-
lets on my table Would you like to have
them?
Anything anything that comes from
your hands,! " whispered Robert. more
sincerely than he always spoke.
The bright face disappeared for mo-
ment from the window and then return
ed-a white hand cleaned in the moon
light.
+" There, take them; now you must 60
Quick! | hear some one stirring. Sup
pose it should be mamma! Goodnight.
dear Robert
The window was softly closed, and in
an instant after Robert was cropping for
the violets in the wet grass. He found
them.where they fell But, as they fell,
the quick eyes of Robert Edbury had
discerned something, 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 instants search revealed it
to be what he Suspected lady's brace
let. 1t was slender circlet of gold,
studded with crystal. The quick move
ment had unclasped it from her arm;
and Robert, with a smile, put it side by
side with the withered bunch of violets
in his pocket, as he rode away.
scepter and crown Id fling them down.
sang Mr.. Edbury, as he rode swiftly on
in the purple dusk of the trees. "Scep-
ter and crown, if | had them, I'd fling
them down for the one bare chance Of
hearing the music of that lovely voice
once again
He was alone; there was no one to see
him, and, taking the violets out of his
nockef he Kissed tham tnnderlv r.