The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-04-22

plan that she should only remember
him as he desired to be remembered
and when he got himself out OF the
house, ON the road 10 the depot, on his
way back to Lesley May, somehow
somehow he did not enjoy his triumph
for which he had negleeted all other
things; somehow there was a Ssarca-tic
echo in his ear as he thought of it
"the other woman; l wish you Joy of
heri'
Lesley May" the other woman -
bonny and fair as q .blue-Dell, with her
pale gold hair fowirg down her shoul-
ders from the Grecian fillet of pallid
blue ribbon she always wore-her pansy-
blue eyes shining, her rosebud mouth
waiting for Paine Alliger's kisses of
greeting. and Paine Alliger watching
her, ss the carriage drovelup to the cot
tage gate, and thirking how remarkably
pretty and giIlish she was-how daintily
fresh and charming. ,.-.....-....-- -
A sea-breeze was clustering, stirring
her shining hair, swaying her blue lawn
skirt, and bringing faint carnation to
her cheeks, that deepened as, Alliser
spraug down fronh the carriage aud
Went up to her-the first time in SIX
month"; she had seen him.
al did so want you, Paine" she said,
half eagerly, half in tender reproof,
after they had gone into the parlor-
large, high-ceiled, matti1g-hoored, with
lace draperys1oating in the breeze.
And how do yorsuppose 1t has been
with me, my sweet, all these weary,
stupid weeks, with only your dear let
tiers to relieve the monotony of dry-as-
dust businessP
Her head was nestled contentedly on
HIS shoulders, his arm close around her
waist.
"And is it all done, Paine-all over
with this horrid business that has kept
you buried in wretched little town SO
1ougT
A curious sensation thrilled him at
her question:. - ~
'All done With, NY darling-forevel
done Areyou glad f"L '
And, between her wrapturous answer
and his question, Irene IredelPs pale
splendid face, with its passionate, trop
ical eyes, glided like an accusing ghost
After that-wel1, Paine Allinger won
dered what had come over him. AL
the bright, ardent summertime he
fingered at the seaside in Lesley's com.
pany. She was bright, bonny, witch
ing as ever, and devoted to him; but
1t fretted him, sngered him at first
to find that he could not get rid of Irene
IredelPs face. 1t haunted him as 9
dream will haunt dreamer. He
seemed to have no power over his viii
and imagination to thrust the remem
brance of her from him.
Gradually he grew to comparing hel
queenIy ways with Lesley's kittenish
ones. Gradually he came to an appre
citation of the exquisite relish there had
been in winning such perfect treasure:
of passion as were deep hidden in heI
heart.
And, in contradistinction, Lesley's
ever-ready, ever-demonstrative affec.
tion, that, curious enough, seemed
somehow to pail upon him.
I WHITE, three months before, he had
told himself that, Irene IredeiPs love
safely won, largely bestowed even with
her delicious way of reserve, also palleC
upon him. i3f a'
Alliger was thoroughly unhappy. Ht
had played with fire, thinking he bort
|
scorching; and Irene was certainly be
ing revenged; while that one powder
fash of speech she had made" Tha
other woman; wish you JOY of her P
ranked deep and hurtful.
Joy of her! Lesley May, whom h
had first wooed with just such arden
wooing as he was so capable Of, whom
he had utterly thrown over in his mind
and heart, and faith, while pursuing
cold Irene, for whom he had in turl
cruelty thrown Irene over, then gon
back to her.
1t was like a return to palmer, fruga
fare Of milk and porridge, after III
epicure has dined on rarest dishes, mos
toothsome dainties, spiciest relishes, in
toxicating wines-and as nothing ha
ever before palled upon him, as nothin
had ever fallen fat and stale to him
this return to his first faith, his pledge
word, harassed him.
, So much that, in a desperation new t
him, he declared to Lesley he must b
, off from the lotus-eating life at the ses
shore and back to business-at least
partially. Aud then she had pouted
and scolded, and cried all in vain to de
tain him, she let him go with kisse,
! and urgent beseechings for return.
While he promised yes, and went a
directly to Irene IredelPs house, q
!, train, and boat, and carriage could tax
| him. E
, To And her not at home--gone for tn
I season-here, there, anywhere that, th
: Fales, her friends, chose to loiter.
. Paine Alliger had never been 6
!, angrily disappointed in all his luxuriou
= selfish life before, ard he went away
8 almost hating the thought of Leslie
: May, and her clinging arms, alway
q clinging, her sweet kisses never Will
q held.
ii Two weeks he Travelled aimressly, hel
4 and there, always hoping to come aero
the Fale party; and the first letter b
It received from Lesley, that reached hi
Q on the top of Mount Washington, OF
9 August day, told him among IL
n gossip, of q delightful acquisition
y their party-Mrs. and the Misses Fa
and Miss Iredell, who had arrived
le the hotel the evening he left.
D. He crushed the letter in his pocke
N and took the FIRST train back, to find
er heart a-thrill, is,pulses stirring, as
W knew now only Irene had power to thr
he and stir him, and to come face to fla
he with her on the sands alone, an ho
after his hurried arrival-a half no
d, after Lesley's rapturous greetings.
st :. Don't pass me by this way, Irene
ID he mid, impetuously, for she gave hi
u the iciest Of bows, and detained her
Do laying his hand on her arm.
She looked up st him, haught
ID angry, vet Ne could not fail TO see I