The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1879-04-09

he'P iaitu WIN NV, hc tntnhoi pitttriy
that he was only laughing at me, and
hooking me. There never yet was Firth
who kept promise. ! am glad Nell Is
away" he tells himself. II could not quite
hide my pain from her keen eyes II + had
only gone to my darling and told her Of my
love, and she had gently, quietly, and re
gretfully answered that hers could never
gladden. me in return, could have borne it
But to be deprived by fraud and crafty de
ceit of q chance Of knowing If she would
listen graciously to my words, to be shu,
out from the hope Of pleading my own
cause, to know that before I can see her
again she may be induced to enter into O
marriage utterly repugnant to her--a union
unholy because loveless-this seems more
than can bearl"
"You have had bad, restless night, Mr.
Christian" Judith exclaims, as her master
descends to the room where breakfast waits
II heard you walking backwards and for
wards in your room every now and then
Bless me, Mr.. Christian, how white you are
and how black and heavy you do look abou,
the eyes You've got one Of your bad
headaches l feel sure. Take strong cup
of tea"
Ay, white face, heavy eyes, aching, throb
bing head-but all this is as nothing in com
parison with the aching throbbing pain and
heaviness at Christian Graham's heart
He greets the old woman pleasantly
What right has he to trouble others with
any of the sorrow yelling within him I
Why should they have to help to bear the
burden laid upon him.
Are there any letters?' he asks, as he
takes his seat at the breakfast table.
only one, and a newspaper" favored,
faithful Judith replies.
He holds out his hand listlessly for them.
He satisfies himself that the letter is not
from Nell, and then he looks at the writing
upon the newspaper. The hand which has
addressed the letter has addressed the paper
also; the writing on both is strange, but
the fact awakens no curiosity within his
mind.
He lays them down quietly for time; he
can feel no interest in any earthly thing
this morning.
Soon he pushes aside his almost untasted
breakfast, and he takes up the letter again.
Human hearts may suffer and break, but
the round of daily toll must still go on.
There are sick to visit, the aged to be minis
tered to, the broken-hearted to comfort; and
Christian Graham is not the man to finch
from the performance of his duty, even
though his own heart be bleeding, although
he himself stand in special need of SYM
patty and comfort.
Carelessly, listlessly, he breaks the seal
of the letter, aud runs his eyes hastily over
the contents. Then there comes to his face
an expression of dazed, bewildered pain,
and he turns once more to the commence
meut, and slowly and deliberately reads the
letter through again to the end.
Every vestige Of color fades from his face
and from his lips. Nothing can be more
painful to behold than the utter hopeless
ness that settles upon his face and looks out
from his dark eyes. The letter runs:
DEAR SIR.-Respecting what you asked
me, promised, believe, to see you again
in the course of week. l am unable to
grant you an interview, but what have to
say will be perhaps quite rs well communi-
Gated by letter. Ny daughter Pearl was
married this morning to her cousin, Deigh-
proval, and believe she will be as happy
as most women.
Tomorrow we start for foreign tour;
and probably we shall not return for year
or more, Hope soon to hear that you have
got over your fancicd attachment TO Pearl,
and that you have taken TO yourself wife
more suited for you. With best wishes, !
am yours, truly. MARX y. FIRTH.
p. S.-With great difficulty l managed to
get an announcement in AN evening paper,
and have the pleasure Of forwarding you a
copy. +.
It lies before Christian Graham-the
haunting, cruel letter, in which every word
is deadly insult. Its every syllable stands
out before him as though traced in charac-
tiers of living fire.
oh, the intense suffering at that moment,
the fierce, singing, raging distress
He turns to the newspaper, and his shak-
ing, burning fingers tear aside the wrapper.
The paqes are scanned with breathless, i'm
patient haste, with haste which seeks as
surance, even though the assurance be dead
ly sorrow.
All, there it is Two little crosses point
out the names he seeks; and he reads, every
word wounding the faithful, loving heart ;
"AtSt Georges, Hanover Square, Deigh-
ton Marmaduke Firth, Esq, Of Landstowne,
to Esmeralda Pearl Firth, only child Of
Mark e. Firth, Esq, Of Banner-C Cross"