Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1880-06-11
LIFE'S SHADOWS.

When drummers tn Thousands
Go through In . week,
And stand at the run1-bar grooming.
LIES SHADOWS. :
Slowly tho golden ball of molten
ire was travelling toward the
westward, hiding behind delicate sap
phire clouds, and shadowing purpliah
tints upon tall, queenly woman statu-
esquely draped in white, standing alone
upon stone colonnade; her eyes large
and brown, swept the horizon with
hungry, eager gaze.
The fitful gusts of chilling summer
wind blew the long, trailing vines, heavy
with the passing shower, against her
marble checks, dashing the many-col-
ored drops over face, hair, and down
upon her sheer-white dress, while the
flown OF care grew deeper upon the
troubled face, for
Memory's busy tides arc seethins
Der the landmarks Of the past
"Miss Hinton you here ?" CALCULATED
Capt. Thornton, in much establishment.
Slowly the chestnut-crowned head
bowed until the face was buried in the
dark-green ivies. :
"'Tis I, Capt. Thornton. Did Ella
wish me?"
"Only in search myself; but you are
chilly will get wrap" quite reluc-
family entering the hall.
"You are very kind"
"The scarlet shawl throws a glow
over your face, Miss Hinton. Why did
Jou prefer solitude on your last night
with us2"
II have been watching the last rays
u sun CLINT those rugged, gray cliffs,
by the time they were hidden from sight.
Alb see, they are gone, and it may be
for years, and it may be forever ere I
see the sea-washed shore or rugged
granite stones again" Her voice was
low, and grew softer and tremulous as
she ended the long dissertation.
"You imbibe too freely of sadness.
Miss Mabel. Will you walk with me
have great deal to tell you. Why do
you avoid me so assiduously Of late?"
Silence is the eternal duty of man.
says Carlyle-why not of woman also?"
Let riffs of moonlight through your
IDEAS" interpolated Capt Thornton.
quickly, and abashed. cit would only
mend the vase for time, and prize
your friendship too highly to be more
explicit. Everything seems gloomy to
me tonight. Past, present and future
are each bringing its sorrow to the sur
face-even the narrowing, dubious fu-
ture. What think you? Nothing, Miss
Mabel? You confde in no one ?" as
both wandered back and forth on the
long colonnade in the moonlight.
It has been said the most tragic
things in life are its failures, and how
bitter do mine chide me tonight. NY
heart grows cold with its rebuff, and no
silvery clouds peep behind the darkness
TO- me, Capt. Thornton"
"You have landed your hope bark on
the rock Of despair, methinks, Miss Hin
ton and why do you torture me, know
ing my strong arms are ever ready and
willing to guide you safe to the peace
harbor?"
Only tighter pressure upon his arm,
and tremor, which involuntarily made
him press the hand resting there more
closely.
"oapt. Thornton, please say no
1T is too trying. I must unburden
my heart, as / have SO oft done before;
the intensity of my love for you is con-
Stunning the vitality of life. Day after
day I have noted your bloodless, care
worn face and back my heart wandered
to a country farm house, with its broad
stretch of grain-laden fields, and, the
most pleasing, q rosy-cheeked, brown
eyed lassie Of 16. That picture has
haunted me for ten long years, amid the
blue ocean storms and under India's
sweltering sun, and now, as before, to
tell my love for you, and to you. throwsa
mystical silence over you. and a shrink
ing away which you never will explain"
"Let me not see how cruelty I have
annoyed you. Mine eyes are burning,
and brain seems gone."
"Oh, Mabel why ale you so heart
less ?"
For moment she leaned heavily upon
his arm, then sobs of emotion shook the
queenly form; as he clasped her to his
breast her arm encircled his neck, and
she gave way to her feelings. Frank
Thornton rained kisses upon the blush
ing face.
IT love you, Mabel"
"Love, Frank. I adore you, but oh,
what have I done? There is IN inter-
minable barrier, oh-my-love-" She
could say no more, for breath came thick
and heavy, and with a convulsive gasp
she exclaimed wildly: eyes, yes, Frank,
1 must give even you up"
"Never, never" he cried.
eyes, forever; there is q fearful
secret which shadows my ife-yet I can
and will love you always" She slipped
rom his arms and sped like q startled
fawn up tho long stairway.
Capt. Thornton watched the ghostly
figure, and with q deep-drawn sigh
slowly resumed his pace.
"Aye, forever was a true version to
his signs, until from sheer:.exhaustion he
leisurely strolled in the parlors.
IT heard you and Miss Mabel in low
converse, Thornton, and were you so un-
interesting she banished your" asked
Guy Marchfeld, jestingly.
was not 80 cruelty treated, Guy,
but you and Miss Ella would not enter
tain anyone but selves; and Miss Mabel
had to prepare for her fight"
How heartless," replied one.
REGRET it 80 much!' chimed in
another guest.
"Not more than I, for Cousin Mabel
is truly fascinating, 50 deep too, that I
always don my thinking cap to keep in
her train." said Ella Hinton, thought
fully.
"Let me go for her. Ella?"
"No, no, Susie; she is busy, or would
not have excused herself" was the deter
mined reply. So gayly for = time wa.
the merriment continued, until, tired Of
nonsense, the weary party exchanged
goodnight, and retired. AL? no;
Capt. Thornton packed hastily his
valise-left note Of thanks. with re-
grets that business forced his departure,
for Mrs. Hinton-and was on the road
in the midnight train, flying fast from
his recent object of love, and the happy
summer passed, but not forgotten. +.
Poor Mabell reaction was too great,
and she sobbed out the miserable hours;
truly her glow Of joy was hidden under
the rust Of sorrow. Like . tangled
skein of floss, ~ rapidly ono knot was
unloosed, another still more tangled as
sumed it's stead. She was woman Of
great depth, and from poverty to luxury
she reviewed her life. She was bereaved
deeply while only18, and left an orphan,
with poverty staring her in the face. A
wealthy uncle made her his hsiress,
where every wish and desire could be
gratifed, ct 20; 10 for six long years she
had been society woman. From youth
to mature womanhood abe had loved