The Russellville Democrat., 1880-12-23
THE DRIFTWooD FIRE.
IIarper's.

ilai RCi ns
 our last night at the Beach d those of us that were left had
 round tine fire that had been le hearth of the great hall, where her we had been wont to do our kding and our dancing.
 Ire none of us very gay; indeed, Ysome of us very sad. We were Iut to separate, and summer was was a wild autumn storm out
 there was not another house half dozen miles of this lone ,elry; but, more than all, it was
 ch d night since we had seen
 If Raymendc, and everybody
 place loved Raymonde, whose ign name only bespoke royal Sature; for how such q tropical
 alt of our commonplace tenn iIence and civilization was not IAained. He was wonderfully
 in his appearance: dark and ! glowing eyes as dark as eyes hnd the dark locks falling over W white brow. As you looked $ face, you were reminded of Bg of the princes in the halls of lore their hearts took fire, so gen. Aelancholy was stamped there. Twas not easy to understand this Ioly; he seemed to have almost V in this life that made other lad and gay. He was rich, and |rdid cares; he was so manly that dored him, and so gentle that Id him; he had such marvellous at he could acquit himself well
 every one of the arts-could ld model, could harmonize; and ch discretion that he contented kith swallow flights, and stretch )soad canvases, planned no great hies. He liked his gun better nv of his play things, and really |fo be 2 little prend of being able a ,,enknife i'll the air, and split q bn it's descending blade, and of |else. He had been at the Beach |nce June, and had unconsciously hearts captive, although be cared snv less. We were little inter |see how he would strike Marion khen she arrived, with her moth Iunt, and the maids, and the bird, &iogs, without which Hrs, Mercer Eelcd. Apparently he struck her lhan if he had been a shadow oi N else. She never had any color hone rose to her cheek, and no Inf came to her eyes, as--~hen |snd ailuted on the piazza, as she by Sallic Worthen-Mr. Ray ktanding near, Was presented by kth tbe air of treasure-trorf ana greer bowed in her slow, graceful Ii passed on. while MT. Raymonde N 6at as indiffsfen.ly. We won little that Marion did pGf give so linary a person, as we had cone |der him, a second glance, ana at \uuirfe's languid carelessness as fhe presence of Marion, who had Aown &Hything but conquest; but we were just as well content,
 for my part, nothing of the e any difference to ule--a sick Ion the outside of all such mat
 sometimes the lockers on ip 1ve a better time than the play .e ' pageant; and l realized 1t one affey < week had gone by, m s'ise saw Ravmonde looking arIon,s sketeE;ng book, or asking Sance. or exchanging q sihe't.
 h her. or Marion's eye once n his direction, l had taken 2 Zallx on the lonely beach ihan l Lnded, and quite tired win inr. bad stopped to rest on my way 1 the shadow of the cliff, and must have fallen asleep m a lew N, for all at once staFted, shiv,, , think what had happened, ana
 ' it was quite dark, and 70
 "a voice that l knew at once
 nde,s--exclaiming. sMarion,
 do you think can endure
 now what you mean, SIT, "as
 ss Marion Mercer' thought !;
 " why it is that none or these
 And you and Mir Kay
 strangers, tool
 he exclaimed again, ln
 would have rent her heart II
 any, l thought ,.,..;,,
 'od as to let me pass shs saip'
 ld distinctly x.e
 that YOU hold me guilty, why
 have been returned, unopen,,,
 name refused ct your aVVr'