The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-01

exnrcssion OF scorn aud resentment In her
blue beautiful eyes.
~ fear am hopeicssly stupid" resumed
Arlcigh, In panied, perplexed tones. -!
am sure have displeased you aga'', out
cannot conjecture how. y, Err 'sgarde,
will you pev~r understand that '>euid not
willingly ~, YOU enc NONE Of dis
quiet ,"
81 do not profcSs - w .stAot - al
an.r she answered "a she Icit him.
|. she denie, me even her friendship
he thought sorrowfully.
A long time after she lad gone be stood
by The parlor window, gazing out into TIE
nIgb.--a black. drcary night, with the ram
drifting over tae roofs In sheets, ana the
wild wiad rearing up from the river.
{" Inst the evening for cosy chat before
a comfortable fire." observed Mrs. Coldsoy,
coming in. and after ringing Tor iign.s,
dr,wiag the heavy curtains with utt'e
sbiyer, 81 ihournt En- 1garoc was w,.u
YOU. na' Did arc Ut gong! nt.
SloIdsh, ..j,hc;. to show YOU Use cur oUs
tbjncs = at him to-day. The dear fellow nas
q nossion for odd aud antique relics, ana DIS
stndy x onji an interesting museum, as
snre Won. Aau, do bring Miss Burroughs,
conciudcd the vivaciOus nttle lady,.
pre- emily Ermengardc came-a slim, Gle
Oont figure, dressed simply In black SIN,
with a cluster OF white roses on her bosom.
"Uere is something you would IKE, MISS
Burroughs observed Mr.. Goldsby, taxing
from his box Of rehcs curious necklace oil
gold with pendant OF exquisite pearls.
of one could only know the history OF
all these things" murmu"cd the girl, as she
glanced over ibem-a tiny grotesque bronze
statutte, few coins centuries ola, cup"i
silver fantasically carved, and among theD
all a small toy pistol with iewelled slock.
This, at least, Il not SO very ancient" sne
pursued, taking up the diminutlve weapon
Be careful, dear, ii may not DC harD'
less" remarked her hostess.
The wise Injunction came too late. AS
Ermeugarde turned it about scrutinizingV
IN her white tiugcrs there was sharp Click
and report: the dangerous top dropped at
her feet and she flung up her shiverln8
hands With little cry OF fright and pain.
"Ob. what have you donef" cried Har-
old. as he saw the red blood trickiing over
her soft neck and staining the white roses
on her bosom.
sit is nothing" gaSped the girl, and then
tottered back upon the sofa, pallid and UNI
conscious.
.Sne has only fanfed," said Arlcigb, as
he bent over her. "There is no cause for
alarm. The ball merely cut the tender
flesh"
Bot The host bad gone, evidently to send
for physician. and bis frightened wife had
followed him amiesSly into the hall.
80, my love, my love-" moaned Harold.
g bad almost rather see you lying here be-
fore me dead than TO know that you will be
the wife OF another"
II would seem that she heard his voice
and understood his words even III her I'M
seriousness, for ehe suddenly opened her
eyes aud smiled like a little child awaking
from dream.
"What were you saying, HaroId?" she
asked family, regalding him with WON
dering look.
THAI it is agony TO give you up 10 an
other. nv darling" he reioined slowly.
Ter pain and fright were all gone now.
She arose before him proudly, her pale
cheeks growing rosy.
"Harold," she said gravely, elf am not
your wife, shall never be the wife OF an
other. You have wrOnged my love and
fidelity, il you have ever thought dII'
ferently."
The spell of the sweet old lOve-dream was
upon them; there was no need for eXplana-
ions, tOl nealt spoke 10 HCdIC iUu tdCH uu-
derstood the other. All anger was forgiven,
and all mistakes forgotten.
81 suppose only for nv stupid accident
we should never have been recoDciled,"
smiled Ermengarde, bY and by; land l
should have been as angry with you all my
life as | had been for years"
"Th0Se ycais of our lost happiness have
not been lived in yain,' he answered, Sc
riouSIy. "Our love is tried and true, and
your husband will be your honor and sup
porter instead OF a pensiOner on your
bounty"
Lovely, happy Ermengarde was inclined
to contest the practical part OF her lovers
argument, but thinking Of his great, manly
love, so ''lried and true" she, with true
womanly sentiment, began TO believe 10 his
wisdom.
"Aiter ALL" she confessed TO Mrs. Colds
by, ~ thick | should despise husband
who would be what my dear Harold would
have been if |, in my silly fondness, could
have made him so. | loved him then now
adore and honor him."
"And we shall send you that enchanted
pistol for 4 bridal present." Mr.. Goldsby
assured her, laugtingly.
Treasurer.s Suic;Ie.