Morris tribune., 1880-12-30

have no fencing. I am not speaking in an
ger, but in intense conviction. Could 1be
so treated before marriage by a man, without
having full time during his absence and 81
lence to think what his real disposition must
be, what his professed love must amount to
what sort of married life must expect to
lead with him? And have thought of it all,
with pain and regret for the. dissolving of
my dream, but gratitude that have walked
in time l have to say good-by to you
Fred-dear Fred! l shall never call you by
your name again, but l wish you would be-
lieve that speak with every kind and friendly
feeling. But we must not spoil each others
life. We don't suit. You do not love me
"You are entirely mistaken" he inter-
rupted with some heat. Il do love you.
often told you So
"Yes, so You have. Perhaps you did a
hurt YOU Say d-bye and part friends,
for indeed we can never be anything more
And at the same hour of the same day
Philip Blount was saying to his beautiful
fiancee; mo, Mabel you don't love me;
| know it now. You allowed me to love you,
and for time that was happiness enough;
but it is so no longer. Your GOODNESS makes
me miserable. For all these long days
I have lain on my sofa, vainly hoping for
something more than the commonplace card
of inquiry you might have sent to any Or
binary friend-some flower, some comfort
ing, loving words. Even a visit many
girl would not have thought too much for
the man whom she intended to marry"
1t would not have been at all cenvenable,"
replied Mabel, coldly-'' hardly proper.
You are too restless, too exigeant. have
distinctly assured, you, once for all, OF my
| hnt
more can you ask"
Il ask to have 1t recalled, beautiful icicle,"
said Philip, bitterly. The suffering will
be all mine, the blame all mine; the ecldt of
the rupture if there be such thing, shall
| be YOURS. Dismiss me on any plea you
| choose: l will never contradict you; but do
not let us 60 on in this terrible mistake.
You cannot love me-perhaps you cannot
love at ALL And I am maddened between
my alteration for your beauty and my mis-
cry at your coldness. Let US each he free.
eyes" said Mabel, with a bitter look,
free to send flowers to other girls, to offer
Your arm in the street to ladies who may
choose to accept so conspicuous an atten
ton.
Philip looked at her earnestly. You are
speaking of Miss Vane," he said. Yes she
was most kind and helpful that morning.
She is a sweet and noble woman. But, Ma
bel dearest, is it possible that any jealous
feeling about her is at the root OF your cold
manner to me? For Heavens sake, be frank
and true. Let us have no mistake in this
matter. You know that I have belonged
wholly to you in heart and in act. If have
done you injustice in complaining of your
want of love, tell me so, and will ask your
forgiveness on my knees
NO, Philip" she said, decidedly, after a
moments struggle. II may have felt dis
pleased at rumors that have reached me as
to Rosamond Vane. may not have done
you entire justice in that matter. But as to
the rest, you are right 1t is not in me to
satisfy such a nature as yours. You are too
impulsive, too ardent. You annoy and
alarm me by your demands. We had better
part.
Rosamond read in the newspaper the de-
parture for Europe of both her own and
Mabers lover, and smiled and sighed over
the changes of the past month Gradually
rumors reached her of the rupture of Phil
ip's engagement She was far from guess
ing her own share in the transaction, nor
dreamed that in the sudden revulsion from
conventionality and GOODNESS which Phil.
Blount was feeling on that eventful morn
ing, the contrast of her own charming smile
and warm cordial helpfulness diu more than
any one thing to make him burst the letters
which chained him. Their acquaintance
had been slight, though friendly, but now
a certain amused sympathy grew up in her
mind-the feeling that they had Unconscious
ly acted upon each others fates, and had,
so to speak, been in the same scrape." She
felt as well as if she could see it the sense
of freedom with which he had quilted his
native country. Soreness, modification,
even regret, he might feel, but through all,
and overmastering all, that realization of
escape from what would in time have been
intolerable. Did she not know? We're not
her own heart and life expanding under the
same influence?
You will never marry now, her mother
said, half impatient of Rosamonds decis-
ion. And she replied blithely: ''Do you
really think SO, dear mamma? Il am so
glad"
Without love or romance life may pass
happily; and months of busy spring, soft
summer holidays, and autumn lingerings at
the seaside passed over Rosamonds bright
head, and each season fc und her happier.
She had youth and health, vivid interests
and steady industry, so that every thing
that presented itself, work or leisure, study
or exercise, nature or art, found her re-
sponsive to it's call. Time flew on rapid
wings, and brought once more the white
pail of winter and the icy blast-that outer
desolation which only makes warm fires
glow the brighter, and young pulses beat
the quicker, in the contrast between the
death of nature and the intense life of
heart and home.
Once more upon an icy morning Rosa
mond ventured forth, this time with bas-
ket which she wished to carry to one of the
hospitals. 1t was visiting day, and she was
much interested in one of the patients-a
poor seamstress, who in her time of health
had spent many long day in Rosamond's
cozy bedroom, had borrowed many book,
and enjoyed afterward talking over what
she had read with "her young lady," whose
kindness was one of the few bits of sun
shine in a limited life.
poor Nary thought pretty Rosamond.
"She sha'nt wait for her wine and book and
flowers The walk will do me good But
if could only hide this basket! do so dis
pise looking gOody." She pulled at hel
warm cloak and tried to adjust fold ovel
the basket; but in vain. 1t was more con-
spicuous than ever in it's furry surround
ings, while her manifest desire to conceal il
gave certain guilty look to her innocent
burden.
Why aciU not young people look where
they are going? Never was step more fear
} less and free, and therefore more safe, than
Rosamond Vane's: but the one moment of ac-
cident or awkwardness comes to all in it's ap-
} pointed time. She was still bending her head,
} and twisting her eal-skin, when suddenly
everything flew out Of her hands, her bas-
ket went off on a tanget, her muff landed in
| the gutter and she found herself flat on the
pavement. realizing for the first time that
one does not have to 60 down into a well to
see stars by daylight.
She tried to struggle up, when suddenly
strong hand raised and held her, and a
voice, not very well known, but well re-
membered, exclaimed, "It is my turn to
help you now"
With a flush Of annoyance Rosamond
shook out her skirts, Strengthened her hat,
and put the hair out of her eyes; then, look
ing up, met Philip Blounts quizzical glance,
and burst into peal of laughter.
1T is too funny" she gasped, as they
shook hands, and he rescued her muf, and
picked up the basket. But its contents!
Jelly, wine, and flowers mingled their