The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-06-10
LIFE'S SHADOWS.

LIES SHADOWS.
Slowly the golden ball of molten
ire was travelling toward the
westward, hiding behind delicate sap
phire clouds, and shadowing purplish
tints upon n tail, queenly woman statu-
esquely draped in white, standing alone
upon o stone colonnade; her eyes large
and brown, swept the horizon with a
hungry, eager gaze.
The titful gusts of chilling summer
wind blew the long, trailing vines, heavy
with the passing shower, against her
marble cheeks, dashing the many-col-
ored drops over face, hair, and down
upon her sheer-white dress, while the
frown Of care grew deeper upon the
troubled face, for
Memory's busy tides are seethng
Der the landmarks Of the past
miss Hinton you here ?" calculated
Capt. Thornton, in much astonishment.
Slowly the chestnut-crowned head
bowed until the face was buried in the
dark-green ivies.
wish me?"
"Only in search myself; but you are
chilly-1 will get wrap" quite reluc-
family entering the hall.
You are very kind"
"The scarlet shawl throws glow
over your face, Miss Hinton. Why did
you prefer solitude on your last night
with usY
II have been watching the last rays
of sun CLINT those rugged, gray cliffs,
and trying to shape my future destiny
by the time they were hidden from sight.
All see, they are gone, and it may be
for years, and it may be forever ere I
see the sea-washed shore or rugged
granite stones again" Her voice was
low, and grew softer and tremulous as
she ended the long dissertation.
"You imbibe too freely of sadness,
Miss Mabel. Will you walk with me
have great deal to tell you. Why do
you avoid me- so assiduo,,sly of late?"
"' Silence is the eternal duty Of man,
says Carlyle-why not of woman also?"
"Let riffs Of moonlight through your
IDEAS" interpolated Capt. Thornton,
quickly, and abashed. 'sIt would only
mend the vase for time, and I prize
your friendship too highly to be more
explicit. Everything seems gloomy to
me tonight. Past, present and future
are each bringing its sorrow to the sur
iace-even the narrowing, dubious fu-
ture. What think you? Nothing, Miss
Mabel? You contide in no one ?" as
both wandered back and forth on the
long colonnade in the moonlight.
1T has been said the most tragic
things in life are its failures, and how
bitter do mine chide me tonight. NV
heart grows cold with its rebuff, and no
sil7ery clouds peep behind the darkness
10 me, Capt. Thornton"
"You have landed your hope bark on
the rock of despair, methinks, Miss Hin
ton and why do you torture me, know
ing my strong arms are ever ready and
willing to guide you safe to the peace
marlboro"
Only tighter pressure upon his ann,
and tremor, which involuntarily made
him press the hand resting there more
closely.
"Capt. Thornton, please say. no
MORE"
1T is too trying. I must mburlen
my heart, as have so oft done before :
the intensity of my love for you is con-
Stunning the vitality Of life. Day after
day I have noted your bloodless, care
worn face and back my heart wandered
to..a country farmhouse, with its broad
stretch of grain-laden fields, and, the
most pleasing, a rosy-cheeked, brown
eyed lassie of Is. That picture has
haunted me for ten long years, amid the
blue ocean storms and under India's
sweltering sun, and now, as before, to
tell my love for you, and to you. throws a
mystical silence over you. and a shrink
ing away which you never will explain. "
LET me not see how cruelty I have
annoyed you. Mine eyes are burning,
ind brain seems gone.''
"Oh, Mabel why are you so heart
less?"
For moment she leaned heavily upon
his arm, then sobs of emotion shook the
queenly form; as he clasped her to his
breast her arm encircled his neck. and
she gave way to her feelings. Frank
Thornton rained kisses upon the blush.
ing face.
II love you, Mabel"
Glove, Frank. adore you, but oh,
what have done? There is an inter.
minable barrier, -my-love-" She
could say no more, for breath came thick
and heavy, md with convulsive gasp
she exclaimed wildly: eyes, yes, Frank,
must give even you up"
"Never, never" he cried.
"Yes, forever; there is fearful
secret which shadows my life-yet I can
and will love you always" She slipped
from his arms and sped like startled
fawn up the long stairway.
: Capt. Thornton watched the ehostly
figure, and with a deep.drawn sigh
slowly resumed his pace.
AYE, forever was true version to
his slghs, until from sheer exhaustion he
leisurely strolled in the parlors.
II heard you and Miss Mabel in low
converse, Thornton, and were you SO I'M
interesting she banished your" asked
Guy Marchfield, jestingly.
IL was not so cruelty treated, Guy,
but you and Miss Ella would not enter.
tain anyone but selves; and Miss Mabel
had to prepare for her flight"
"How heartless," replied one.
Regret it so much!' chimed in
another guest.
mot more than I, for Cousin Mabel
is truly fascinating, so deep too, that
always don my thinking cap to keep in
her train. }" said Ella Hinton, thought.
fully.
LET me go for her. Ella?"
No, no, Susie; she is busy, or would
not have excused herself" was the deter.
mined reply. So gayly for time was
the mer1iment continued, until, tired Of
nonsense, the weary party exchanged
=: goodnight, and retired. All? no
Capt. Thornton packed hastily his
valise-left note of thanks. with re.
grets that business forced his departure,
tor Mrs. Hinton-and was on the road
in the midnight train, flying fast from
his recent object of love, and the happy
summer passed, but not forgotten.
= Poor Mabel! reaction was too great
and she sobbed out the miserable hours
truly her glow Of joy was hidden unde,
the rust Of sorrow. Like a tangled
skein Of floss, as rapidly one knot was
unloo6ed another still more tangled as
sumed its stead. She was q woman o.
I4oHH&1, ora l.,