Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1880-01-14

out into the garden.
., it was a dangerous time for both of
these awakening hearts. But they glided
on this treacherous stream, and seemed
only conscious that the hours were sweet
and that the sun shOne on the waves.
There was no thought of dislOyalty in
either heart. He was above all man of
honor, and she OF all else a loyal woman.
Yet how hearts delude themselves. In the
very pride of his strength Samson was
shorn of his locks.
One quiet evening in July DR.. Paulding
had taken tea at Bonny brook, and Con-
stance-his "hostess" only, she called her
sslf--strolled down to the gate with him.
His impatient horse was biting the rough
old hitching.pOst and throwing up clouds
of dust with his fore feet. He had been
kept there four hours, and he seemed
more eager than his master to leave BonRy.
brook behind him. The doctor idly pluck.
ed some heliotrOpps as they strolled down
the rose-bordered paths, and mingled with
the flowers some dainty mignonette and
pale bud or two Of the tea rose. At last he
placed the bouquet in her hands and said
dreamily
{" Read the emblems Constance--you,
who are priestsss in Flsras beautiful
temple"
She quickly looked over them.
"Ah," she said, "you choose well, Sir
Botanist Here you have beauty in re-
tirement' consistency is good-and
am not a summer friend'-that is better
than all. But you Aatter with your flowers,
nevertheless
" Not you" he replied eagerly, almost
tenderly. and in voice that somehow
frightened her.
She replied almost coldly-though her
heart was strangely beating and warm
unusual color was in her face; My hest
friends will tell you. doctor, that am ugly
and commonplace. Believe them, beg of
you and do not let your Imagination in
vest me with any charms.
He seemed all at once to be carried
away by his passion. He leaned over her
and replied, warmly: " say you are beau
tiful, Constance Owen. | feel your beauty
in my very soul" But he said no more.
The face Of Constance was a study the
flush that had before crimsoned her checks
died out, and she became ghoStly pale, her
fingers, Which had claSped the flowers,
slowly opened and they dropped to the
ground at her feet. All at once the vision
Of the dead woman seemed to present
itself to her mind and the trust she was
violating struck cold TO her heart. Was
this the Forever" she had spoken? She
staggered and would have fallen; the arms
Of DR.. Padding were about her, but shO
waved him away i'm a moment with such q
ptpOus, dPspairing gesture that he obeVsd
her without a word. She only had strength
to falter:-
"Go-and remember Elith'-and she
| staggered back towards the house, leaving
him standing there bent and trembling.
She did not know how she reached her
own room the strong woman had learned
at the same moment she loved that she
must sacrifice and renounce.
She stood for hours white and mOtionless.
looking out at the sunset and the gather
ing gloom of the evening, with wild
thoughts CHASING themselves through her
brain. and dumb, aching pain in her
heart; every hope trailing in the dust like
those sweet flowers he had given her. She
laid her head after a while upon her hands.
on the window easement of her room, and
wept softly through the long, long hours,
until she heard tho village hell strike the
hour Of midnight. She prayed and
wrsstled with her grief and agony. and
rose up at length quiet ard calm. She had
Welded to her duty and her promise to the
dead.
Somehow Constance Owen seemed to
grow prettier as the months passed by
there was some refining change which was
softening her rugged features and round
ing every line in her stately form. The
summer into autumn had flown. and still
Edith Ormond had not returned to Bonay.
brook. Her aunt had died, and letters
came from time to tirae saving that ere
long she would he home, vet she came not.
Could she suspect the disloyalty of her
| lover?
1t was late in the fall. when the woods
had nut on their pomp Of glory, and the
chill winds sent the fallen leaves through
tho valleys near Bonnyhrook. when DR..
Paulding rode I'm to the house and asked
for Constance. Sh" had only received him
twice before since the summer evening.
and had then centrivsd nv womanlv tact
not to he alone with him--althourh she
no longer doubted her strength. Con.
stance on this occasion received her guest
alone; there seemed a strange emharass
m"nt in his manner. After the first greet.
ings were over. he said:
"Cnnstance | have much to saw to Won
TODAY. Do you think you can listen to me
calmlv?"
Eyes" she replied 'if it is upon sinh.
lect on which YOU should sneak and"-sbe
added treMblingly-"to which should
listen."
=" Both" he said. "When first saw
Edith Ormond I was captivated bv her
beauty and girlish Graces; l thought |
loved her.
Constance would have stopped him by a
gesture, but he gently begged her to listen
for you can do so now" he said. 'in all
honor and reason"
He continued:
had never had my heart stirred by
the full knowledge of love, however. unti
| knew you and discovered the breadth oil
your sympathies and the womanliness Of
your character. never respected Won
more than when you rejected me, knowino
| was the engaged husband of Edith. Bui
fate has been kind to us both" His voice
was trembling with emotions Read tn,
last part Of this letter"
lie handed folded paper to Constance
who took it as one in a dream.
From Edith p she asked
eyes"
The portion she read ran thus:
so you see, dear DR.. Pauldiag, it. i,
better | should tell you now that / havs
met one here-my cousin Ray-whom
feel that love better than anybody in the
world. have promised to be his wife and
| am sure you will forgive mo, for you arc
so noble and grand and all that, and
should feel, know, that never could fiji
worthily the exalted sphere of DR.. Pauld
ing's wife"
Constance could read no more, n mist
gathered over her eyes, but this time n stron,
arm was about her, and voice, deep and
melodies, whispered to her !: Dearest Con
stance, will you be mine at last2n Thoi,
lips met for the FIRST time at one long kis'
of love, and her answer was; Yes. thine
Forever
The annexation question in Canada i.
takeing serious turn. There has iusi