The Newtown bee., 1880-12-29

And almost disappointed was she, l when beautiful basket of roses came to her, to read on the card his name, in- stead Of finding in is 8 tardy but accep5a- bic token of penitence from her wn ab- sent lover. Still the days passed on, and she bIded her time, displeased, thought | tul. yet ready with true woman's heart to listen to excuses-ready to be easily ] propitiated. But absence and silence still reigned.
 At last he came. She met him in the parlor. as grave as he, and shook hands ! In as unmoved way as if they were ordinary acquaintances.
 have to ask an explanation" he said, stihy, as he sat down at a little distance, and looked coldly at her. And to have to ask an explanation of your conduct" said Rosamond, quietly.
 sI suppose you refer to my absen.ss for the last ten dayspn he replied. < I have been out of town"
 lndeedl was not aware of it,n she said. Formerly you thought it worth while to tell me your movements, to write to me when you were away. All that is over now, it would seem. and you | are changed; consequently you cannot complain Ii too am changed" This is not at all the right way to look at the matter" he answered, loftily. Il left town because did not wish to see you for the present. did not write, ! because l wished to mark my displeasure at your conduct. I require of you now to explain why you suffered yourself to walk in broad daylight leaning upon another mans arm, not even quitting your hold when you saw me-quite careless not only of public opinion, but l of mine."
 l He ceased, and sat very stiff1y upright, with his chin held loftily in the air. Rosamond looked at him thoughtfully | for 8 moment, and when she spoke her voice was very quiet and low.
 Fred" she said, "I do not wish any l tencin 2 or playing about the true issue of this question. l might, indeed, con- plain not only of your absence and your silence, and your daring to approach me now, demanding an explanation in so decided tone. I too might request you to explain several things. I might ask how you could allow yourself .o l treat with such disrespect the woman 1 you have chosen to be your wife, and have prOfessed to love; 1 might ask how you, as a gentleman, could have met me that morning, trying with my girls strength to support and help 8 poor man I who had fallen in the street, and wa5 faint with pain, and not only pass with out offering assistance, but without even word, 8 look"
 It was Phil Blouut," stammered Mir. Boone. "How should know he had hurt himselfp'
 How should you know, indeedp Yes. it was Philip Blount. hope if it | had been any other mana stranger, 8 beggar-I should have tried to help him as best might. Perhaps in that case you wouldn't even have vouchsafed I to bow to me-"
 "I certainly don't see," he replied, supercifieusly, any necessity for young But if Phil Blount had hilrt himself, tsae case is different. accept the explana- tion."
 He evidently prepared to unbend, but. she moved closer into the corner of her l sofa, and said. ssNo, Fred, the case is | not different. l am the one to whom 1 explanation and apology are due, and apparently you have none to give. But 1 as said before, let US have no fencing. am not speaking In anger, but in in tense conviction. Could be so treated l before marriage by man, without hav- ing full time during his absence and silence to think what his real disposition must be, what his professed love must | must expect to lead with himp And I have thought of it all, with pain and re- l gret for the dissolving of my dream, but | gratitude that have walked in time I have to say goodbye to you. Fred-dear Fred! I shall never call you by your name again, but I wish you would be- lieve that speak with every kind and friendly feeling. But we must not spoil each others life. We don't suit You do not love me-n
 You are entirely mistaken" he inter- rupted, with some heat. ''I do love you. l have often told you so"
 G Yes, so you have. Perhaps you did 8 little-perhaps you do just now; but it won't hurt you. Say goodbye, and
 part friends, for indeed we never can be anything more."
 And at the same hour of the same day Philip Blount was saying to his beautiful fiancee: No, Mabel, you don't love me 1 know it now. You allowed me to love you, and for time that was happiness enough; but it is so no longer. Your
 these long days have lain on my sofa, I vainly hoping for something more than the commonplace card of inquiry you might have sent to any ordin ary friend some flower, some comforting, loving
 words. Even a visit many girl would not have thought too much for the man
 whom she intended to marry"
 "It would not have been at all con.
 venable' replied Mabel, coldly-'s -'shardly
 proper. You are too restless, toe
 exigeant.' Ihavedistinctlyassu you,
 once for all, of my regard-have given you my promise; what more can you
 askpn
 | "I ask to have it recalled, beautiful
 icicle, 7 said Philip, bitterly. The sui
 fering will be all mine, the blame al l mine; the eclat of the rupture, if there
 be such thing, shall be yours. Dismiss contradict you; but do not let us go on
 in this terrible mistake. You cannot
 love me-perhaps you cannot love al
 all. And I am maddened between my
 adoration for your beauty and my misery
 at your coldness. Let us each be free. ,
 Yes, said Mabel, with bitter look
 free to send flowers to other girls, tt
 offer your arm in the street to ladies Wht
 may choose to accept so conspicuous ar
 attention.n
 l Philip looked at her earnestly. "Yor
 are speaking of Miss Vane," he said Yes, she was most kind and heipfu
 that morning. She is 8 sweet and nobl,
 woman. But, Mabel dearest, is it possi
 ble that any jealous feeling about her i
 at the root of your cold manner to me For heavens sake, be frank and true Let us have no mistake in this matter ] You know that I have belonged who'll,
 to you in heart and in act. If I hay, E done you injustice in complaining o
 your want of love, tell me so. and vii : ask your forgiveness on my knees,
 No, Philip" she said, decidedly after 8 moments struggle. ssI ma, !, hove falt displeased at rumors that hay !, reached me as to Rosamond Vane. { may not have done you entire justice il that matter. But as to the rest, you ar
 right. 1t is not in me to satisfy such