The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-08-13

and pale, with folded arms. At length he
looked out on the wreck caused by the storm.
The oak-tree that the lightning had struck
WAS cleft in twain at its roots and itsrugged,
sturdy trunk shivered in countless threads.
Something of the hush and desolation with
out was like the feeling of loss in his heart,
as though the storm had swept away the final
illusion of his life, but which left him with
feeling of freedom. like one who has parted
with burden. Suddenly he heard her speak
his name rtaas-tt
"Richardl" His heart leaped into his
throat at the word, and he saw Ricarda's
hand uplifted toward him.
81 think / am strong enough to stand
now" she said, and he helped her to rise.
She placed her hand on his shoulder, as if
not quite sure of her strength, and, looking
into his eyes with something of her old-time
CLEAN of mirth, softened by what might
readily be concentrated into tears, said:
'Do you think it would be very weak and
silly in me to be appropriated by man since
/ love him."
voice husky with emotion.
II know you expected something better of
me" with arch reproachfulness), "but it is
true, nevertheless; and smile illumined
her face. Lane folded her to his heart, and
when again they looked in each others eyes
their love shown through tears.
An hour later, as they were walking home
ward, and Ricardo was leaning on his arm
instead of tripping lightly along unaided, as
was her won't, Lane said, as if in remem-
brance of their talk in ascending the hill:
ssThat l am to have you to walk with me
always, Ricardo, is to feel like having re
ceived an endowment of wings"
Like Mercury" she laughed. "That mus
be the latest achievement of electricity
| AS they neared the cottage, Ricardo said
must never be separated from him."
| 81 have thought of all these things, Ricardo
| thought of them more times than you could
well believe. think the papa will perhap
have much to say, but / hope he will not G dis
| pleased. At all events, think, with you
that we three should not be parted while WI
| live"
| During the remainder of the walk Lam
was busy thinking how he should max
4 known the great event of the afternoon t
James, which half seemed to him, at moment
like q dream, so strang and SO beyond al
common earthly experiences it was, at leas
10 him.
The sky had partially cleared, and tn
sun, that had already gone down, had lef
flame of color along the sky. Ricardo
father had for the last hour been sitting o
the porch of the cottage, enjoying tn
revivifed air, the freshened beauty of tn
landscape, and anxiously watching for til
return of his daughter and Dick. When b
saw then slowly approaching. Ricardo lear
ing on her companions arm, he felt a
intuitive apprehension that something {
unusual import had occurred, and he haster
ed to meet them. When they had CON
near enough for him to see that his daughter
face was pale:
'sYou came very OPPORTUNITY, papa ST
said, slipping her disengaged hand throug
} his arm. 1.-The storm was terrific on IL
summit-an oak-tree near us was shattere
, by the lightning-and / was shocked so tn
/ lost my strength, and Uncle Dick has bee
! obliged to half carry me home. But / a
quite well again, papa" After a moment
pause, she quickly added, as if she had 70
$ gotten: "But he is to be Uncle Dick
e more. / call him Richard now
. They had reached the porch, whe
t Ricardo sank into chair. James look,
a from her pale but happy face into that of
, friend, as if seeking solution to her conclu
Q ing remark.
1T means JIM" said Lane, extending b
e hand and frankly meeting his friends ey
: 'that old things have passed away and /,
l things have become new; Ricardo has prom
e ed to become my wife, and we three, G
It and you helping, will never more in life
!, separated" ereW
james mechanically took the proffer
i hand, but, soon relinquishing it, sat down
Il Ricardo, taking her hand in one of h
l. while with the other he stroked her hair
d caressing tenderness. Tears filled her ey
d and, rising, she tenderlv embraced and kiss
r him, and then went to her room for d
raiment.
y James sat for some time in silence, looki
r, as if at the western sky, and then with
e sly CLEAN of humor in his eyes turned
Lane with sos
g "What do you want, of wife, Die
is What has become of the man who fine 10,
is a woman could not have the heart to ask
m to marry him? o, Dick, to think t
e, you, too, along with Bridget Z
IS, Patrick and the rest of the v
n. gar crowd, should do SO common a thing
n to marryl Iexpected something finer, hi
nc or, more platonic from you and y
ne disciple" rnr8 sa.G
to $50 on, Jim" exclaimed Dick, blush
er and laughing "you have only begun
ut enumerate things. They rise before
ms with the distinctness of crimes in the mine
en- drowning man, and are enough in numf
to to make rosary that would girdle the
C. tage."
VERY WE'LL" laughed james in retr
a 'sthe enumeration is needless. and you n
or give answer collectively"
y, THAT'S quickly DONE" calculated La
e folding his arms and leaning against a pi
p of the porch. "The answer is, that / h
er learned the lesson years ago-the one
ed love teaches" as
I'M Lanes reply, although given with no
ed tention of modifying the humor of his frie
gy quickly sobered him, recalling as it did
own love-life so sweet, SO precious, ant
'le sadly brief. He sat, looking again on
Ter western sky as if he saw in its fading /
the panorama of those broken-hearted d
nd Then he heard Ricarda's step on the sts
it, and rising he gave his hand to Lane, say
ok with tremulous voice: "God bless you ID
he May you know all the joy that was m
an and taste none Of its sorrow" Turning
ITS embraced Ricardo, and the three went
ses dinner.
let After what had been won, Lane TO