The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-07-22

years ago seems now to be increasing to
deeper sense of your loneliness and
grace. Pardon me if my confession sad
dens you, but I love you, Myrtle, with
the purest and hottest sentiments of my
heart, and feel that without you my
life will be a hopeless future of sadness
and gloom. Had never seen you as I
now behold you, time might possibly
have erased from my memory the tender
associations Of the past with which you
are connected, but now I feel that the
impression Of your loneliness can never
fade from my mind. ar....-.s.,,..t.,,.
He ceases speaking, and stands await
ing her reply. Her eyes have been
fixed upon the ripping water, but, as
he finishes. she raises them to his
face. Not shade of color mantles her
dark, olive cheek. She looks at him al
most haughtily, and not tremor is dis
cernible upon her face.
"Myrtle, darling, do you understand
me? I love you more than life; for,
without you, life would be worth MOTH
ing to me. Myrtle, will you be my
wife?'' rs e-.e as1 ~ s>.ug,a.. D..
And still she is silent. A minute
passes. but it seems an age to him, and
then she extends one little hand toward
him. With a glad cry he clasps it in
his own and carries it to his lips. And
this is all. He would give worlds for
the privilege eff taking her in his arms
and pressing one passionate kiss upon
| those bright, ruby lips but he knows
only too well the nature Of this girl who
has but just pledged her faith to him.
They turned and walked silently away
in the gathering twilight, down the road
that leads to the village. The plaintive
notes Of the whip-poor-will are heard
away off in the forest. Slowly and
silently night lowers her curtain of
darkness DER the earth and pins it down
with million Of glittering stars. D."
j: j: x X
To dream of joy and wake to sorrow
| Is doomed to all who live and love.
Spring has faded into summer, and
the last days of summer are slipping
away. The scene now is social gath
ering in the village. The soft, mellow
lamp-light falls upon many fair face
there that needs but the opportunity and
it would rival the boosted charms of
many an acknowledged belle of the city
bathrooms. Again do I see the maiden
I saw upon the bridge in the early
springtin1e. But the youth is not with
her now. By her side stands a dark,
coarse man, with low forehead, deep
sunken eyes, and full, sensuous lips,
which tell that he has more of the brute
in his nature than is usually allotted to
man. And yet this girl is smiling up at
him as she never smiled upon the fair
haired youth who pleaded SO passion
| oko1~ e.. l. 1>,,k he hn-
fore. Where is he now? All, have
just discovered him. He stands beyond
this couple, further back in the shadow,
and they are not aware of his close prox
unity, for he is the subject Of their con.
versation. Why is his face so pale
Why, indeed! He has just discovered
that the only woman he ever loved, OF
ever can love, is false to him-that she
has toyed with his hearts deepest at
lection willfully; and, worse than al
else, he has learned that she loves the
dark, evil man at her side: a r.-,a,..
Mechanically he tears the glove ht
has just drawn from his hand int
small pieces, and drops them one by
, one upon the floor. There is bitter
sarcastic smile upon his face as hi
watches the couple, who fancy them
selves unobserved amid the throng
: Unnoticed by them he leaves his place
in the shadow and passes out into tn
, night. .'..,. 49,. 49,. .-- t.
All alone, with none to mark the con
flict save the All-seeing one, does h
> struggle with that eart-consuming love
:, And, as the gray dawn comes slowl,
, creeping i'll at his window, he has con
, quered. But at what a cost In thi
= battle what has he lost? Confidence il
mankind, hopes of heaven and faith il
God. And he has gained nothing.
!: * X
, The scene has closed. The past Join
8 to the present. The pictured face
3 smile down upon me from the wall.
: arouse myself from the dream, and ar
, again the harsh, cold man of the world
take up the burden Of life again,
Saying sadly, "It might have BEEN