Daily Republican., 1879-05-30

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the face. Joe was looking at me, and |
saw he had desperate struggle to con-
trcl the muscles of his mouth.
Twas indeed fond OF music, but l was
entranced with her magnificent voice.
The evening passed on golden wing. Joe
ran on in his wild old way; told his
jokes and laughed just as boisterously
as he did when we roomed together at
college. He did not give us much
chance to join in the conversation; for
one comic anecdote reminded him of
another which he must tell. We both
laughed heartily at his stories, and
talked volumes to each other with our
eyes.
That night dreamed loved Nellie.
Ooh, truthful dream y dreamed she
reciprocated that love. (Oh, vain
dream y Then | dreamed intrigue be-
gan. We determined to elope. My
heart bled for poor Joe, but felt it was
death to live without her. Now she
has met me under the old elm south of
Joe's house. see her pale, excited
face feel her nervous hand clasping
mine Now we are fleeing On, on,
and now we are pursued! Joe is on
our track
The scene changes, and we are on
the river. We glide along smoothly in
a light boat. Now we are safe, and
she is mine-mine forever! But no,
Joe still pursues us. Now he is close
to us. Why cannot we glide faster? Joe
approaches swiftly. Now he closes in
on us ! He has caught her in his cruel
grasp! Her beautiful, pleading eyes are
raised to mine ! He raises knife aloft !
Then catch his arm; we struggled 81
lently together. wrested the knife
from his grasp and plunged it into his
breast, and he drops from the misty
boat and sinks beneath this dark
waves How dark the river has grown
by the pale light soft of the moon !
The gAunt and ghastly figure of Mr..
Long suddenly emerges from the
waves saw him catch my darling in
his long arms, and, before could in
terfere, they had both disappeared be.
meath the turbid waves of the river !
This awoke me arose and resumed
my wearing apparel, bathed my few.
erish face, and went forth into theair to
try and exercise the evil spirits with a
fragrant Havana.
By the ensuing morning my dream
had ceased to trouble me, but the reali-
ty of things did not cease. There was
Nellie before me in all her beauty, all
her sweetness, to tempt me on to love
her. There was Joe, with all his ex-
uberance of spirit, and as unsuspicious
as child. He seemed to do all in his
power to bring us together. He often
lured us into interesting conversation,
or managed to get us engaged in sing
ing and playing, and then leave us
alone for hours. Days passed away
and lapsed into weeks; in these weeks
| was almost the constant companion Of
Nellie Hall. We were out riding, boat
ing, and to innumerable concerts and
entertainments, all through the sugges-
tion and planning of Joe. | felt and
knew we'll the danger; l was fascina-
ted at frst--now was irretrievably in
love. The thought of breaking away
from this charming creature caused me
pain like unto death. ] resolved to
leave. No matter what it cost ne, the
only honorable course for me- to pursue
was to return to the city and forget
no, not forget, for never could | forget
the only woman ever loved or could
love.
Joe was absent on the day arrived
at this determination. All the better
thought it; it would be the easier to get
away. proceeded to pack up and get
ready to 60 on the evening train. |
noticed during th4 progress OF packing,
that the long body of Long was over
shadowing me. He seemed determined
not to let anything escape his observa-
tion. At length, when | had finished
my work he approached me. His long
arm was raised to his breast pocket,
and from thence he extracted letter
which he handed ME. tore it open; it
was from Joe and read:
"Thomas Tnurston, you are a atraitor!
| no longer doubt your perfidy. Long
has watched you and Nellie closely. 1t
is useless to deny your intention of elop-
ing with her | demand satisfaction,
and it can only be from your hearts
bload. Meet me on the river bank and
by the light of the moon, and in the
presence of Long, We will settle our
differences"
looked up. Long had disappeared,
and ia his place stood Nellie.
"Why, Tom, you're not going to
leave us, are you 7" she asked.
| thought she addressed me in
tone of regret. looked in her bright
eves-such beautiful, loving eyes .
How could pain her? How could |
drive the blood from her cheeks and
the light from her eyes by showing her
Joe's letter and telling her all ! She
came very neal to me, and said, coax
ingly:
"Dor't go, Tom, will be so lonely
here now"
81 cannot stay, Nell. regret hav-
ing to leave you''-my words came
fast and almost inarticulate. 81 ought
to be on my way now, and can only
stay long enough to bid you adien.''
"But, Tom, what will Joe say? You
will surely stay till he comes"' she
cried.
"No, no; cannot, Nellie indeed |
cannot. can never forget the happi
ness | have had here this summer ; but
| must leave you now, and fear--it-is
forever"
My voice was unsteady, and lclasped
both her hands very tightly in mine.-
"Forcver !" she repeated. "Oh, Tom,
forever"
What world of tenderness, of re-
gret, in her intonations 1t died away
as a wall of woe.
"No, Nellie; never shall | see you