Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-10-04
"You need not plead, I'll never alter;
I'll 90 my way, for the dream is DONE"

snaOe OI plty IoT 1he Plouu Andh "ho
stood before her-who, for the first time
in his lazy, indolent life, was humiliated
and then again essayed to speak
"Shelah, l had hoped"
But she interrupted him with an i'm
patient gesture.
81 see you will insist on talking on
that disagreeable topic; SO ! will bid
you an revoir," and, with naughty in
clination of her head. she walked away.
He stood looking after her until she
disappeared among the trees, and it
seemed to him that all the light and
happiness of his life had gone with her.
Until this moment he had never known
what it was to suffer; until this his
languid creeds had held that no wise
man feels strongly, and to guide through
life untroubled and unmoved is as pos
sible as it is polite. But now he suffer-
ed he suffered dumbly as a dog. pas
sionately as barbarian now he was
met by that which, in moment, pierced
his panoplies of Indifference and es-
capped his light PHILOSOPHERS.
"Oh, God" he thought, "if it were
anything-anything but this l love
her wildly, madly, and yet must give
up all hope of ever winning her. Can
this be the punishment for my past
thoughtless, giddy career? If SO, the
penalty is far greater than is merited
by the crime. But, if she had only
given me the smallest ray of hope, how
different my future would have BEEN
how bravely would have struggled to
overcome those habits, which are more
the result of circumstances than of in
clination. And l would have succeed
ed for with her love as a beacon to
guide me, | would have found no task
too difficult nor any obstacle insurmount-
able. But now-well, III only live fol
pleasure, if there is such a thing fol
me. Henceforth | will worship at nc
shrine but that of forgetfulness. know
no time but the present, and have nc
friend but self. And, as the poet saws
ait may be true. and hope it is,
That death will end this pain,
That on the shores ofanother world
will be happy again;
And feel with the fullest love and pride,
The olden. golden joy,
That came of tru sting IN women-and God,
Ere love was broken top"
And he went forth into the world
again unchanged in outward appearance
except that he was colder, prouder and
more cynical than before. And he
plunged into all the pleasures and dissi
pations with recklessness that border
ed on desperation. Elmer Royston had
always been great believer-if the
words are not too sonorous and too earn
est to be applied to his very inconse
quent views upon any and every sub
ject-in the philosophy of "Let US live
in the present." and to this was added
a firm belief in destiny or fate, as h,
usually called it. He believed that ;
persons life was marked out for then
upon their entrance into this world, anC
nothing could change or deviate then
from the course. He was reckless t,
the utmost stretch of recklessness, al
serious and quiet though his daily man
ner. and, though he forced himself by
strong will to subdued and dull Ian
guor in keeping with his former life
the pent-up passion within would breal
out occasionally in a sudden burst o
anger, midnight debauch, or, wors
still, not-infrequent sitting at tn
gambling table. He had gained tn
reputation among the "boys" of his Sc
as being the most daredevil of the lot
His word was law among them when i
was upon any particular style of dres
or question of etiquette. He had but t
command a new kind of wine or smok
new brand of cigars to make theI
popular, and had only to adopt pecr
liar style or color of cravat to make
the "agony."
But was he happy-had he found
this life the happiness without whic
there can be no contentment ? No; ne'
er since that evening when he parte
with Shelah Fortescue had he know
the true meaning of that word. HI
face was before him ever; her voit
came to him even when surrounded /
gay companions. and when tossing upc
: his bed. and in vain trying to compo
himself to sleep; it was there alway
He cursed himself for his folly, al
tried to believe that she spoke tru
when she said, "The dream is done
, but at that very moment knew that o.
kind word from her would still t
= troubled waters of his soul.
= = =
If death should overtake you
Ere you hear my last God-speed
And friends should all forsake you +.
( | In your darkest hour of need
You know I'll never chidc you,
All, will never blame
q Though other tongues ide you.
I'll think kindly Of your
n When friendly tears cease flowing
And vour reOuienn has been said