Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-02-01

tlCy. Leaving out the consideration that
my heart would never in this world mis-
take Stephenies voice, l distinctly saw
the outline Of her bust; and her dress
revealed below the curtain, was very fa-
uiliar to me-
1t was of cream -colored silk, trimmed
with black lace. On her foot she wore
a pretty black satin shoe, with a silver
buckle; and the instep showed cream
colored stocking, embroidered with silk
en- buds and vines.
The dress and the stocking, with its
embroidery, were all of the same tint
and the whole costume but two colOrs-
cream and black As she sat within the
blue curtain, the artistic effect was very
beautiful.
All, no! 1t was Stephenie, peerless
among women; and in heartsick misery
l at length gave up the lost cause
The gray dawn was stealing in at my
windows, It's sweet breezes bathing my
temples, when sat down at my desk
and penned my farewell letter:
"STEPHENIE;-I cannot trust myself to see
you again. l am weak as a child, and worn
out with such suffering as l pray you never
may know. inadvertently, yesterday, heard
you confess your heart to Captain Langdale.
linen you. 40 not love me! GOD only knows
now utterly believed you did, and what fer
vent gratitude and happiness there was to me
IN that belief. Oh, my darling! how could you
let me wreck my heart on the shoals of your
merely careless liking? was only a congenial
friend-a pleasant companion. Your heart was
MS; and yet-farewcn.
This passionate, incoherent letter [
directed to her, and then called nv
valet.
Pierre, pack some trunks We will
go down to Black Rocks for the sum
mer
The man started.
Pardon, Monsieur, it is very dull
down there. No cunning, no fishing, no
young ladies'
And consequently, no waiting maids
for you to ogle!' | answered, with a
dreary attempt at ease and lightncss of
spirits.
But the fellow still looked at me-
Monsieur looks very ILL., | will bid
the doctor call on you. and if he con-
sents, we will 60 to that horrid place to-
morrow
Nonsense! | shall be well enough
after bath and some breakfast. Don't
be impertinent, Pierre We start on the
10 o'clock train
Black Rock was not inhabited by fash
ionable society; this was my onl ly rea-
son for choosing it. The Neptune
House, where | took up my abode, was
a large, rambling, old-fashioned inn, not
the least in the world like modern sea-
side hotel
My valet, of course, arranged all the
conveniences of my life; consequently l
did not know the dark-skinned old wo-
man who one day presented herself at
the door OF my apartment, with long
covered basket on her arm My man
was busting coat on the back pi-
azZa.
There is some ore at the door, Pier
re, | said to him, as | sat at the win
dow with a book which | was read
! ing.
1t is the washerwoman. SheSis Il
very nice laundress, Monsieur"
Yes, | said inditferently. Pay
her"
He received the carefully covered
basket, settled the bill, and the woman
departed
Pierre prepared to arrange my linen
| by opening drawer | turned page
of my book as he withdrew the white
cloth from the basket, when my atten-
ton was again arrested by his exclama-
! tiOns.
Mon Dieu! Laces, ruhies!''
I What's the matter, Picrrc?'
/ These are ladies' things Here is Il
wrapper with futed ruffles, white skirts
and = ha, ha! embroidered stockings.
Mecs Betscy. oh, Mees Betsey. come
back.
He dropped the basket on the floor
and ran after the old woman. | glanced
within, and saw mass of snowy lace
and cmbroideries. beautiful as bed of
lilies The clothing was too dainty and
expensive to belong to any but lady,
and | wondered who the owner might
be-
In one corner was little pile of hos
icry. The stockings were not all white
one pair was of cream color, with a
silk embroidery of buds and vines; and
while | was carelessly considering how
and where such exquisite needle work
was done. the thought flashed across me
that | had seen that very pattern of
silken rosebuds on Stephenic St Jeans
foot.
My hand trembled. dropped the
book as Pierre came rushing back with
the painting old woman.
The other, outside, is yours, sir Hope
you'll excuse me. I'm getting old and
forgetful >
Stay" | said, breathlessly. who
are the lady S things for?'
For the young lady down stairs, who
came last week. sir-NIiss ST. Jean |
will take them away directly
Unheeding the wondering eyes of the
two, | snatched up handkerchief on
which | saw a name marked. Yes, it
was ''Stephenie!'
grew faint, and turned away to hide
my emotion. My hand shook as siezed
my hat and rushed out doors.
| The sun was setting across the water.
The waves danced blood-rcd in its light
The air had grown cool, and pair of
singing shore birds few before me as |
sought a favorite seat of mine, retired
among the rocks.
had not composed my mind when
there was rustic of silk, and soft
hand was laid on my arm.
Forrest!
Stephenie!'
You know | am here, now, and so |
have come to speak to you"
She sat down close beside me, facing
me; her arm across my knee, her clear
blue eyes steadily meeting mine; and
before she said word, took the fair
hand tenderly, feeling that she was to
be restored to me.
Forrest, | have been here week,
wishing to see you, yet repelled by your
determined seclusion. If the old woman
called Aunt Betsey, who frequents this
place, had not told me tonight that ac-
cident had revealed my presence to you,
| should have lost my last remnant of
courage, and returned home without
speaking to you.
What have you to say to me now.
Stephenie?"
"You overheard me talking, as you
supposed, to Captain Langdale, For
rest. was reading letter"
"A letter."
have startling story to tell his
ten. All the spring my cousin Lily s
malady had secmnd strange to me-
could not understand her loss of color
and strength, until | learned by occupy
| inc the next oportment to her at Rranch-