Richland beacon., 1880-04-03

"Show him in, Teddy" which was the
familiar title of the office boy. And in
walked a gray.haired old gentleman.
His troubled expression and downcast
look make it apparent that something
was destroying his happiness.
Arthur arose to greet him, and bade
him be seated.
In a tfemulous voice the old man &C.
quainted him with his grievance !;
he taid he had come in behalf of his
daughter, who had, a few years ago,
married man whose wealth led him to
dissipation and incorporate habits. and
who made her home misery to her, and
she now sought separation from him.
Perhaps you had better hear the
story from her own lips" interrupted
the old man; and calling in his daugh-
ter, who had been seated in the outer
office, he introduced her as Mrs. Thomp-
son. nre Belle Parker.
Arthur babe her be seated, and she
began to relate her story, which was
simply marriage without love. After
she had finished, a slight color was per.
ceptible in Arthur's cheeks; the refer
ence she had made to her once peaceful
home in IrviDgton, and the many poor
young men of the village who had sought
her hand and heart, caused the sweet
memories of eight years ago to rush to
his brain, and almost persuaded him to
reveal his identity.
"Does she not recognize me-" he
thought. How could she fail to recall in
MIN her old lover, whom she had 80
cruelty discarded just eight years ago ?
Perhaps his trip to Europe and the cul-
tivatiOn of a beard had altered him
somewhat.
Arthur promised to give the matter
careful consideration, and instructed
them to call again in a few days to swear
and sign q few preliminary papers.
which they promised to do. Taking the
old gentleman's hand, the daughter led
him to the carriage that was in waiting
at the door, and they quickly drove
away.
After they had gone, Arthur fell into
a deep reverie, and it was some time be-
lore he. could recover him.elf. He grad
ually forgot the incident and resumed
his study.
A few days afterward, the rumbling
of carriage wheels was heard rolling
along the village road, and a carriage
halted in front of his door. He recog-
nized at once the occupant, who was
fortunately alone, and prepared to re-
ceive her.
"You are punctual to your promise,
Mrs. Thompson" said Arthur. as he
arose from his seat at his desk and offered
his hand to greet her.
She answered pleasantly, and seated
herself. After explaining the law of
the case, and obtaining her signature to
n few legal documents, Arthur's CONVEX
sation gradually drifted off to other sub
jects, and finally reached the village of
Irvington.
Pardon me, but have you a recol-
lection, Mrs. Thompson, of q bright
moonlight evening about eight or nine
years ago, when you said farewell to a
young man who had been paying atten.
ton to your
"Why do you ask that question, Mr..
Stanley ?" she said, inquisitively. "My
recollection scarcely extends 50 far back
and since my marriage, l have scarcely
had time to think of anything but my
unhappiness."
Opening a small drawer in his desk,
Arthur drew forth a delicate little note,
which had been preserved with the
greatest care, and handed it to her, and
at the same time asked her if she recog-
nized the writing.
In q moment her face flushed, and
taking a more careful look at Arthur
she recognized in him her discarded
lover.
"Ah. Mrs. Thompson, I see it recalls
to your memory an incident which time
and passing events had almost 0blit.
Grated you still remember your answer
tony req uest for your hand and heart, the
result of which was booming me to the
solitary ab0dps of study, in order to shut
your image ont of my heart"
"Yes, Mr.. Stanley, l see my folly
now" she said, wiping away the tears
that were fast filling her large blue
eyes. MY pride and girlish 6cklenes
would not allow me to see it then; but
their reward has come / married man
who was very wealthy, and against my
fathers wish his wealth led him to dis
sipatinn, and instead of making my
home happy, he made it very unhappy
"Since that memorable night. Belle
] have not forgotten you; you were the
means of my ever remaining q single
man, though many have crossed my
pathway, some perhaps more beautiful
than you, in others judgment, yet
could see no worth nor happiness IL
them; your eyes haunted me wherever
went" ......
"Forgive me-" she said. II did moi
think your love for me was 70 strong"
she covered her face with her hands
and vept Is though her heart would
break.
"Then you acknowledge, Belle-par
don me for calling you Belle-that you
discarded me because l was . poi
student, and that you thought no happi
ness abided in poverty
al did," she said; "but I regret my
action" ... ....
Further conversation was interrupted
by the entrance of the Office boy, an
nouucing q gentleman on very important
business. Arthur babe her good-by, and
she entered her carriage.
4
Months passed; winters chilly cir ap