The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1880-07-16

Ermengarde mad pledged neTseI TO an
other, and this was the end of his dreams
and hopes. ALI that was left for him to
do was to bravely bear his disappoint-
ment But how could he meet her day
after day and look upon her fair, dear
face. listen to Iier sweet, beloved voice,
and not betray the pain of his cruel loss?
Many things puzzled Harold during
the weeks that followed. Often he
found her regarding him with singu
larly thoughtful, half resentful look in
her earnest blue eyes. Once, coming in
to the unlighted parlor at twilight, he
saw her sitting before the piano, her gol-
den head bowed low, her lovely form
| shaking with silent sobs. And once,
| when they were quite alone, she spoke
kindly and gently of the evening they
met.
sYou asked me question that night" !"
she said, with quiet dignity and and
! delicate reluctance of manner, sit was
scarcely my fault that it was not answered
| then"
ssI know what you would have said,
| Miss Burroughs" he returned, gravely;
| 81 am sorry for having so startled and Of
| Tended you. I was wrong and inconsid-
crate, and I can only acknowledge my
fault and ask pardon for it,
She regarded him for minute with
shy wonder. and then turned away
haughtily, her fair face scarlet, and an
unmistakable expression of scorn and re-
sentiment in her blue beautiful eyes.
''I fear am hopelessly stupid" re-
sumed Arleigh, in panied, perplexed
| tones. ''I am sure have displeased you
again, but I cannot conjecture how. o
Ermengarde, will you never understand
1 r ~
moment of disquiet?'
ST do not profess to understand you at
all, !" she answered as she left him.
sShe denies me even her friendship"
he thought so1rowfully.
A long time after she had gone he
stood by the parlor window, gazing out
into the night-a black, dreary night,
with the rain drifting over the roof in
sheets, and the wild wind roaring up from
the river.
s'Just the evening for cosy chat be-
fore comfortable fire." observed Mrs.
Goldsby, coming in, and after ringing
for lights, drawing the heavy curtains
with little shiver. ct thought Ermen-
garde was with you, Harold-you are
not going? Mr.. Goldsby wished to show
you those curious things sent him to-day.
1 The dear fellow has passion for odd
and antique relics, and his study is quite
an interesting museum, assure you.
Alan, do bring Miss Burroughs" con-
| cluded the vivacious little lady.
Presently Ermengarde came-a slim,
elegant figure, dressed simply in black
silk, with a cluster of white roses on her
bosom.
"Here is something you would like,
Miss Burroughs, observed Mr.. Goldsby,
taking from his box of relics curious
necklace of gold with a pendant of ex-
quisite pearls.
eff one could only know the history
of all these things" murmured the girl,
as she glanced over them-a tiny gro
tesque bronze statuette, a few coins CEN
turies old, a cup of silver Enthusiastically
carved, and among them all small toy
pistol with a jeweled stock. This, at
least. is not very ancient" she pursued,
taking up the diminutive weapon.
''Be careful, dear, it may not be harm
less," remarked her hostess.
| The wise injunction came too late. As
| Ermengarde turned it about scrutiniz-
ingly in her white fingers, there was a
sharp click and report; the dangerous
toy dropped at her feet and she flung up
] her shivering hands with little cry of
fright and pain.
] .Oh, what have you done ?" cried
Harold, as he saw the red blood trickling
| over her soft neck and staining the white
| roses on her bosom.
cit is nothing" gasped the girl, and
| then tottered back upon the sofa, pallid
and unconscious.
''She has only fainted," said Arleigh,
as he bent over her. ssThere is no cause
for alarm. The ball merely cut the ten
| der flesh"
But the host had gone, evidently to
send for a physician, and his frightened
wife had followed him aimlessly into the
hall.
"Oh, my love, my love-" moaned
Harold. ST had almost rather see you
lying here before me dead than to know
that you will be the wife of another"
It would seem that she heard his voice
and understood his words even in her
inconsistencies, for she suddenly OPEN
ed her eyes and smiled like little child
awaking from a dream.
.What were you saying, Harold?" she
asked, family, regarding him with Won
dering look.
''That it is agony to give you up to an
other, my darling" he rejoined slowly.
Her pain and fright were all gone now.
She rose before them proudly. her pale
cheeks growing rosy.
Harold, she said, gravely, eff I am
not your wife, I shall never be the wife of
another. You have wronged my love and
fidelity if you have ever thought differ
entity"
The spell of the sweet old love dream
was upon them; there was no need for
explanations, for heart spoke to heart and
each understood the other; all anger was
forgiven and all mistakes forgotten.
Il suppose only for my stupid accident
we should never have been reconciled,'
smiled Ermengarde, by and by; "and I
should have been angry with you all my
life as had been for years.
ssThose years of our lost happiness
have not been lived in vain, " he answered,
seriously. "Our love is tried and true,
and your husband will be your honor
and supporter, instead of pensioner on
your beauty
Lovely, happy Ermengarde was in
clined to test the practical part of her low
er's argument, but thinking of his great,
manly love SO sstried and true" she, with
true, womanly sentiment. began to be-
ieve in his wisdom.
CATER all, she confessed to Mrs.
Goldsby; IT think I should despise hus-
hand who won In I,o NH Of NV doov Horo1ds