The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-12-23

left town because did not wish to see you
for the present. did not write, because I
wished to mark my displeasure at your con-
duct. I require of you now to explain why
you suffered yourself to walk in broad day
LIGHT leaning upon another mans arm, not
even quitting your hold when you saw me-
quite careless not only of public opinion,
but of mine"
He ceased, and sat very stiffly upright,
with his chin held loftily in the air.
Rosamond looked at him thoughtfully for
q moment, and when she spoke her voice
was very quiet and low:
"Fred," she said, II do not wish any
fencing or playing about the true issue Of
this question might, indeed, complain
not only of your absence and your silence,
and your daring to approach me now, de-
handing an explanation in so decided a
Tone too might request you to explain
several things. I might ask how you could
allow yourself to to treat with such disre-
spect the woman you have chosen for your
wife, and have professed to love; I might
ask how you, as a gentleman, could have
met me that morning, trying with my girls
strength to support and help poor man
who had fallen in the street, and was faint
with pain, and not only pass without offer
ing assistance, but without even word, q
look"
1T was Phil Blount," stammered MIR.
Boone. How should I know he had hurt
himself?"
How should you know, indeed? Yes, it
was Philip Blount. I hope if it had been
any other man. stranger, beggar-I
should have tried to help him as best I
might. Perhaps in that case you wouldn't
even have vouchsafed to bow to me-"
II certainly don't see,' he replied, super
ciliously, ''any necessity for young ladies
to support beggars in the street. But if Phil
Blount had hurt himself, the case is differ
ent; accept the explanation"
He evidently prepared to unbend, but she
moved closer into the corner of her SOFA
and said; No, Fred, the case is not different!
I am the one to whom explanation and
apology are due, and apparently you have
none to give. But, as I said before, let us
have no fencing. am not speaking in an
ger, but in intense conviction. Could be
SO treated before marriage by man, without
having full time during his absence and ST.
lence to think what his real disposition must
be, what his protested 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 I have walked
in time. I have to say good-by to youy
Fred-dear Fred! shall never call you b
your name again, but wish you would be-
ieve that speak with every kind and friendly
life. We don't suit. You do not love me-"
'You are entirely Mistaken" he inter-
rupted with some heat. Il do love you. I
often told you SO"
eyes, SO you have. Perhaps you did a
lttle-perhaps you do just now; but it won't
hurt you. Say goodbye 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
fancee; mo, Mabel, you don't love me;
know it now. You allowed me to love you,
and for a time that was happiness enough;
but it is so nolonger. Your GOODNESS makes
me miserable. For all these long days I
1 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 q visit many o
girl would not have thought too much for
the man whom she intended to marry"
1t would not have been at all convenable,"
replied Mabel, coldly-' hardly proper
You are too restless, too exigeant. have
distinctly assured, you, once for all, Of my
regard have given you my promise; what
more can you ask?"
II ask to have it recalled, beautiful icicle,"
said Philip, bitterly. "The suffering will
be all mine, the blame all mine; the eclut of
the rupture, if there be such thing, shall
be yours. Dismiss me on any plea you
choose: will never contradict you; but do
not let us go on in this terrible mistake.
You cannot love me-perhaps you cannot
love at all. And am maddened between
my alteration for your beauty and my mis-
cry at your GOODNESS. Let us each be free. I"
EYES," said Mabel, with 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-
tion."
Philip looked at her earnestly. "You are
speaking of Miss Vane," he said. Eyes she
was most kind and helpful that morning.
She is sweet and noble woman. But, Ma
bel dearest, is it possible that any jealous
feeling about her is at the root of your cold
and true. Let us have no mistake in this
matter. You know that 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
mo, Philip" she said, decidedly, after
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. It 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