The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-09-30
ALL FOR THE BEST.

"And is this to be the end of all my
bright dreams, Shelah? Have You only
led me on, making me believe you cared
for me, until You forced from me a con-
fession of my love, that you might add
another to your long list of conquests ?
knew you to I've selfish and proud, but
] did not believe you capable of this.
But will not censure you, if your con-
science does not love you too well for
that
And the speakers eyes rested with q
loving, plying glance upon the dark,
handsome face by his side
Shelah Fortescue did not meet this
look, but STOOD with downcast eyes,
nervously pulling to pieces a geranium
leaf she had just plucked.
In average faces the power of express
sion is pretty evenly divided among the
leading features, but Shclah Fortescue's
eyes seemed to monopolizc it. 1t would
have been hard to find swcetcr mouth
when the eyes We're smiling; it would
have been difficult to match the delicate
outline of the face, or the exquisite CHS
cling of every feature. Nothing could
be more finished than the contour and
pose of the high-bred little head, or the
wealth of raven hair by which it was
surmounted. But from all these the at
tention was withdrawn when the dark,
mysterious eyes flashed upon the spec
tator look in which all their expires.
sional power was concentrated. Eyes
like those might suggest that they would
express too much unless they were under
q remarkable control by their owner.
But this they were, for Shelah Fortescue
could, when she chose, express more IN
one glance from those dark, dreamy
eyes than most women would in half an
hours conversation. But now those
eyes we're half concealed by the long Jet
lashes, ard you could only tell that she
heard the deep, imprisoned words adj
dressed to her by the inpatient manner
in which she tossed away the leaf she
held in her hnrpi.
"Shelan," he said, after waiting in
vain fora reply. "can you give me no
hcpe-no promise that may serve as a
goal in the race of life? All, darling,
you, with your cold, proud nature, can
not comprehend how deep and lasting is
my love for you. know | have little to
offer You now in return for the love |
ask, but can You not promise me that
sometime IN the future. | care not how
far distant that time may be. If | should
bring name-one which men honor
to lay ut your feet, you would then ac-
cept my love? | lnowmy life has been
one OF idleness and follyup to the pre-
ent time, but it was because there was
nothing to stimulate me to follow the
higher and nobler walks of life, and !
simply followed where my idle inclina-
tons lea. But with such a prize rs your
love in view, there is nothing | would
not do or dare"
Andas he ceased speaking, almost I'M
consciously, he attempted to take her
hand She drew back hastily, and for
he first time spoke, and her words came
in clear, measured tones. "TC say
that I am surprised would but inditlcr-
emily express what | feel at this mo-
ment. Elmer. When you first men
toned this subject, [ supposedly you were
TESTING. but, since you have assumed
such tragic style, I must either think
you are really in earnest or that you
have been cast for disappointed lovers
part-one of the fierce ones, You know
in some private theatricals, and that
you take this opportunity of rehearsing
your part. If / am correct in my latter
surmise, let me assure you that, il my
criticism is worth anything, the piece
will be complete success as far AS your
acting is concerned
And she laughed low, musical laugh,
as she toyed with chased gold bracelet
upon her shapely wrist.
"Shelah, how can you speak so lightly
of subject which to me is the most Sc
rious of my life? Has not my untiring
devotion to You for months past been
automatic proof of my love ?"
eyes, Elmer, your attentions have
been somewhat pointed, and on scvcra'
occasions You have been uncommoniy
sentimental for one Of yolIr mattcr-oi
fact disposition hit did not suppose
for moment that these little bursts oI
sentiment would eliminate in anything
more serious than your making love It
me in general way the same rs you
did to hundreds of others. Your love
making seemed to please you, and, as il
did not materially Inconvenience me,
felt some computation about dcprivine
you of the pleasure of occasionally he
ing sentimental"
But, ShclGh, love yoii matiiy, de
votedly. You surely will not wreck my
life by your ccquciry; for yon know
Shclah, you have given me every reason
to believe You cared for ne"
We'll, if it is any pleasure for yon IL
think so, | have no serious objection
But | think enough has been said on
this subject for us to understand caci
OTHER. Suppose we talk of something
more interesting"
But, Shelah, will you not
No, once for all | must forbid You
ever mentioning this subject t. nj
again"
Zone word more, Shelah. l."
"You need not plead III never alter;
III go my way, for the dream is done,
Shelah repeated the two lines OF poe
in q calm, even voice, without
shade Of pity for the proud man VIII
stood before her--who, for the first tim
in his lazy, indolent life, was humil
lated. He stood for few moments IL
resolute, and then again essayed t
speak: