Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-07-04

from the city. COralle was the Cento.
of attraction. Admirers thronged about
her. Caryl was polite--no more. He
seemed to find most pleasure in escort
ing little Mabel Lee, the housekeeper' S
ten-years-old daughter, about the
grounds, and in watching her childish
pleasure. But once when Coralie stood
the center of gay group, laughing
morrily, she caught his eye, and was
satisfied.
"He is burning with his mad love"
she said; "I need not fear. He will
wait until am ready"
A few weeks later Caryl went away
upon u fishing excursion. The truth
was, he could not endure being so near
and yet so far from the woman of his
love. Coralie knew it, and was graft
fed.
Soon after his return she went East.
She wrote often, and her letters we're
full of her triumphs and pleasures.
Caryl replied with kind, chatty, friend
ly letters, in which an occasional sem
tence would creep expressive of his un-
abated love.
COralie remained in the East the next
summer, and went to the white Noun
tains and TO Newport with party of
friends. Caryl joined her for a few
days.
The next winter she spent in Wash
ington, and Caryl spent week with
her there. 1t was the same old story
the feast for the multitude of admirers
the crumbs for her lover. His busi-
ness required constant attention, and
he was not sorry. He found it little
! 30, l..
and feel himself forced to be silent.
So he was glad to be in a measure
tied to his business, and away from
her. He was not jealous by nature,
but the sight of her surrounded by other
men, to whom she lent such willing ear,
while he, her promised husband, was
! compelled to be almost silent in her
! presence, was maddening.
The next summer Coralie went to
| Europe with fashionable and wealthy
Washington lady.
"She intends remaining abroad sew
eral years." said Coralie to Caryl, "and
| think l am so fortunate to have made
her acquaintance. But Providence has
always been good to me.
under the protecting wing of such
n chaperon | shall have the loveliest
time possible. She owns a villa in
Florence, and spends much time there,
and am to have a season in London,
where she says will be q belle. Now,
Caryl, dear, are you not proud to think
of all my triumphsP Write to me often,
won't you?"
After year abroad she wrote to him
in one of her letters:
40, Caryl, dear, you cannot know of
half my happiness. My dreams are
more than realized. l am the rage
wherever | 90. But, though have had
with q title--I would not for the world
marry foreigner. There is something
exceedingly distasteful to me in the
idea of marrying out of ones own coun-
try. | don't see how American girls
can do it. like to be belle here, but
when | am ready to settle down | want
it to be in my own land, with my own
countrymen."
But she was not ready to settle down.
Caryl knew that very well.
The next year his mother-Coralie's
foster-mOther as well-died. He was
left alone with the housekeeper and her
daughter Mabel, now a slip of a girl
thirteen years old. More than ever he
longed for Coralie and a home. He
wrote her of his loss and loneliness, but
did not ask her to return. Yet he had
secret hope she might. He opened
her letters with trembling hands. She
expressed sincere sorrow for the death
of his nnthar and was fnll of syinpathx
and love, but did not speaa of her re-
turn. They were going to Switzerland
in few days.
He dropped the letter and buried his
face in his hands, and the tears fell |
through upon the letter that had done
so much toward staying strong love.
A soft step sounded near, a gentle |
hand fell upon his bowed head, sweet, |
tremulous voice whispered, ~ am sorry |
for you, Caryl-so sorry for you. Nam
ma and both miss your dear mother,
and we will do all we can to make your
life bright"
1t was Mabel Lee, the housekeeper's
daughter.
Coralie had been in Europe almost
five years, when she wrote that she was
coming home. The last year had been
a hard one for her. She had STAYED in
Rome too long one summer and had
fallen i'll of low fever. 1t had never
left her, though as soon as she was able
she had travelled from place to place,
trying TO regain her old health. She
was worn and depleted with winters
dissipation in London when the fever
took hold of her, and it made fearful
lnroads upon her beauty. 1t chilled |
her with a dread alarm when she
looked in her mirror and saw the wan
face and wasted form of her once-ra-
diant self.
Her fine bloom was entirely gone.
and there were actually hollows in her
cheeks.
She was too languid to care for fes-
tivities, and, besides, she was stated.
She thought of home and Caryl with
sudden, hungry longing.
81 am coming back to you, Caryl,"
she wrote, 'to stay with you alaOayS if
you want me. You have been a dear,
patient boy, and l realize your worth,
since my sickness, as never did before.
fear have been selfish to make you
wait so long, and l wonder now how
could do it. 1t is strange, Caryl, but
ever since | was taken i'll, a year ago,
have felt myself failing IN love with
you. Although separated by such width
Of land and sea, and with five years
lying between us, yet have felt as if
you were with me, and were for the
irst time learning the worth OF your
love. All your words and acts have
TO me over and over, and |
lind more happiness in remembering
your words of love than in all the
praises of the world that have been so
ayished upon me. So at last, dear
Caryl. you see you are repaid for your
patient waiting. have been so eager
Tor your letters the last year, and |
never had so few, nor were they ever
SO cold rs they have been during a
,welvemonth past. But cannot blame
Lnn- silnncad unnr lnun ,uo,.do lo...- |