The Portland daily press., 1880-03-20

posed stepmother was once my wife. He
debated for some time whether OF Ito he
should retract the words lie had spoken in
regard to Lily, Though he may be unlike
his father in everything but form and fea-
ture," lie thought.
Faint and trembling he passed to his
room, and, sitting down by the window,
brushed the hair from his damp, throbbing
temples, hoping That the air might cool his
fevered brain. CHANGING from the window,
he saw Edgar and Lilly walking under the
| fir trees. Lily's face was turned from his,
but Edgar's was earnest and full of entreaty
and, as though acting by sudden impulse,
| he caught her in his arms and kissed her
| passionately.
| 81 cannot bear it," cried Paul, as he
| sprang to his feet and set his teeth firmly
| together my God! what other fortunes
| are in store for me?"
| He bowed his face upon his hands and
| sank upon his couch. In few moments he
arose, and taking his pen he wrote two notes.
| One he directed to Lily, the other to the
| cashier of the bank in which his funds were
| deposited.
lie placed LiIy's note upon the writing
desk, and making few hurried prepara-
| tons, he put out his light and left the house
| quietly. All was still as death when he
/ passed out, but his excitement was so great
/
| in his possession for several months use, if
| judiciously expended Passing through the
| village he mailed the letter, and as he turned
| from the post office he saw Edgar Wilde on
the other side of the street. Turning aside
to avoid meeting him he walked with all
| possible haste to the nearest railway station
1t was late when he arrived, but, taking the
earliest train, he was soon in the city, and
| thence he embarked for Europe.
| And Tilv9 When Edrar So1,uLt bar ~,
der the fir trees and asked her to be his wife,
she gently but firmly refused him. Finding
that entreaty was vain, he caught her in his
| arms and kissing her adieu, left her.
Lily fingered in the garden. watching
Paul's window, with a feeling of relief that
Edgar was gene, until the light disappeared.
''He has retired early she thought,
"though it isn't like him to wait so long for
the result of anything that effects us so
| nearly'' She retired to her room and
sought her pillow.
Next morning, however, as Paul did not
make his appearance, and Charity failed to
rouse him by knocking. they became
alarmed, and entered the room. His note
to Lily lay as he had left it, and, taking it
up, she read:
81 saw you and Edgar under the fir trees,
dear Lily, and witnessed his affectionate ca
ress. 1 give you up gladly, if you are hap
|
away for time, at least. You are to re-
main here as though the place were your
own. 1t shall be legally so some day, and
for present funds you are to draw from the
bank. as / have placed large amount to
your credit. Show this to Edgar, and he
will approve of my action; do not blame
you; it was quite natural that you should
prefer his young, handsome face to my own.
Do not let the thought that am unhappy
| ,,a1-a fap of In g., "a
be much more desolate than it was before ]
saw your sweet face. Adieu, PAUL"
"He will come back, Gear Lily" said
Charity, as Lily, faint and white, sank into
chair.
''Not nowr' cried Lily starting up. ssIf ]
could rend the veil of the future but this
suspense is tortured O, Charity, he must
he will come back, but it may be long years
first. II l could only drink Madrigora, and
sleep them all awayv'
For days she gave her heart up to sorrow
The house was closed, and she would see nc
one. But one morning, as she awoke, the
birds were singing, and she saw the sun
playing on the grass in the far-off meadows
she went out and CRIED "Give me some
work to do, Charity, or shall go madp'
eff you please, Miss" said Charity, with
moistened eyes, there are some poor fami
lies in the neighborhood that would be glad
| VI q llCUle dSSlSGduCe.
SIT is just what l need, dear, good Chart
ty," said Lily; eve will go to work at once. .
So garments. were made and provisions
furnished until the poor for many miles
around blessed Lily's name.
The fir trees were thinned and trimmed
and flowers planted; the place must be
made as attractive as possible, for Pau
might come at any time.
Paul wandered over Europe for nearly q
year, until, by accident he met an acquaint
ance who came from his own native town
From him he learned that Lily was unmar
ried, that she was waiting for him, and Of
Ter active, useful life. For Charity had
thought, upon reflection, it was best to
make the story public.
Paul heard with establishment, for his in
formant was man whose word he would
never doubt. And he had left Lily in that
heartless cowardly manner when she really
loved him. Making his preparations as
hastily as he had done on leaving home, he
sailed Immediately, and arriving safely
made all speed to return. 1t was evening
when he arrived at Dark Corner, but he
saw how much it was improved. He rung
the bell and Charity appeared at the door.
80, Charity, where is she?'
Lilly heard the cry, and though she had
been listening for his voice so long and pa
tiently, her strength, which had been so en-
during, left her, and she could not rise.
Another moment and she was in his arms
'My darling! my brave Lily! my deal
faithful girl! can you ever forgive me?n he
cried, kissing her lips, her cheeks, her hair.
And Lily laid her head upon his shoulder
and wept for joy.
II cannot think how I could have been so
blind" he said, striving to soothe her,
though he was not less excited than she was
herself.
"Love is blind" said Lily.
Sometimes, and jealous always" And
when they grew calmer, Lily heard the story
of his life from his own lips. 81 am Older
than when left you; you can hardly love
me now," be said.
"But do" she replied. sAnd if that
will bring you happiness, will love you SO
you shall forget all the bitter sorrows of the
past"