Richland beacon., 1880-04-03
LOVED AND LOST.
ny ALFRED jeff RSoN.

Aud do you reject my proposai?'
ssked young man who Eat on sofa in
IN deliberately furnished apartment t,
eagerly gazing into the face of beauti-
full young girl, whose eyes were pen
sively fixed or some object before
her.
For some minutes there was a silence
only the faint ticking of French clock
on the mantel disturbed the perfect
stillness which Arthur Stanley did not
care to break. and which Belle Parker
could not, for She was painfully sgi-
iated.
"Mr. STANLEY, she said, at last, turn
ius tn him with a flushed face, re-
spect you as q friend, and have always
enjoyed your society; if have by words
Or manner assured you of regard other
than friendly, attribute it 20 my girlish
folly as to reciprocating your aft ctions,
| fear ] cannot" Id
For a moment he did not speak, only
pressed more rassionately the soft, white
hand he held in his.
but you will tell NE, dearest Belle,
what has 40 suddenly altered your az
lection for ne? or have been cherish
ing false hope? When I received
your reply to my letter last week, re.
1uesting your hand in marriage, could
not believe that my devoted attentions
for the past three years had been in
vain. Were those assurances that you
gave me but few evenings ago hut
the impulse of momentary passionf
"DO not, Mr.. Stanley" she said,
"impose upon me the necessity OF
reviving the past; let it be forgot,
ten"
No, Belle, dearest, the past is too
dear to me to be forgotten"
Arthur arose impatiently and turned
from her. Belle watched him silently
as he paced up and down the room al
if in deep meditation.
belle. haze you no pity for re p
Arthur said more gentiv, coming to hel
side again. 1--WE have had misunderstood
ings enough; do not mar my. future any
longer Oh, Belle, think how have
loved you all these months and years
Think how l must suffer in the future
if you banish me from you! You are
not wise to play with me thus" he
added. "You make me reckless-you
make me"
Hush" she said, suddenly. 1T is
not Arthur who speaks" f. al
at is truth" he interrupted. You
are cruel to give me your love and then
take It from me. Do YOU not know that
I love lyou rs my life, Belle, dear
,What b there before mel Only . life
spent in a mad, vain endeavor to for.
get the past, to shut You out of my
heart" FH
Arthur ceased pleading, fhr he ssw
that he could make no impression on
her cold heart, and walking to the hat
rack in the hall, prepared for departure
Belle followed him to the door. and in
the glow of the bright moons rays saw
him tadly depart -
Belle watched him, as he slowly and
With bowed head retraced his footsteps
homeward along the lonely village
road, until distance hid him from
view. -tp.2 ve-lsa.T
will he ever return, and am moi
cruel in sending him away she solilo
quized, "a che stood in the door look
ing in the direction whence he had
gone asst ..- d. -.... .t.-- l....
Years passed by, and numerou.
changes befell the quiet village of Irving
ton on the banks of tie Hudson River
Arthur, by the death Of his father, CT.
Judge Stanley, had fallen heir to con
siderable property, situated in Hastings
q nsighboring village, and had taken uI
his abcde there, and was now engaged
in the extensive practice Of the Law
which biz father had left him.
Twas ore day while quietly seatedi il
h;s n{Yece Vvepariup a 1an0thv erv,unnc,