Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-02-12

"Oh. no. no, Charlie. oh. don't look
so cruel. can't see him now, you
know | can't!"
"Sincc you've heard that he's got
wife elsewhere. ehP"
"Charliel | don't care; 1t isn't that"
she answered, chokingly. How could
she add-"It is because l have found
him base, untrue. when he seemed to me
like an angel of light"
Her red lips quivered; the tears stoo d
large and shining on her lashes, her
eyes were downcast, her hands folded
with the rigid clasp of despair.
II shall never see him again" she
whispered, hoarsely;" but If you say all
is over between us, why it must be So"
II don't say it need be, mind" he
said, looking pitifully down at her. II
can overlook good deal, love you so
much, so much! God in heaven only
knows low much have loved you.
But won't have the face of that man
between us. God no! nof' and his
great shoulders lifted with the scarcely
drawn breath, while dark red hate
smoldered in his usually soft eyes.
at shall be just as you say" she
murmured, meekly, without lookingup.
'' 1t shall be just rs you say" he re.
piled: quickly. "Do you think you
could learn to love me again, littleP"
he asked, the anger al gone. She was
so beautiful.
TRY me, Charlie. You are so strong
and good, and noble; l always felt that
and one can't long. like where one
can't respect, can onep" Her hands were
on his arm now, and the lovely plead
ing eyes uplifted to his.
lyon won't 600 him aOa in pN
Il WON'T swear | WON'T What
should want to see him for nowp" she
sobbed.
"Then, we will wait. This troupe
goes tomorrow. Don't cry, darling; |
dare say it will all come out right" and
after few low-spoken words, the young
man left her, but by no means with
peace seated on his bosom's throne.
Mamma, If anybody comes, say I'm
out" called Margaret, from the top
stairs.
"Well, I guess nobody'll be here to-
day. unless it's that actor fellow" was
the response. Don't walk in the sun, I"
she added. for mother and father were
proud of their darliDg's beauty, and they
secretly wished for her better match
than even their neighbor's son.
Deep in the woods she struck, deter
mined never TO see that too fair fatal
face again.
Hell be gone tomorrow" she half
sobbed, holding her hands hard against
her heart, land shall never see him
again. God be thanked! for, oh, dare
not trust myself
The path, slippery, with pine-leaves,
led to a favorite resting place-a cleared
spot through which ran a crystal-clear
-, Aa 4 a..
tinctivcly beautiful features. Here she
stream, the soft shadows, the sweet
the trees.
A footstep near startled her.
In the river. as in a mirror, she saw a
vision that had become all too dear to
her-a graceful figure clad in black vel
vet, the small hat. with its waving
plumes, reflected, with the outstretched
hand that held 1t, in the blue depths.
She sprang TO her feet, "a burning flush
spreading over brow and neck. and
would have fled but that he WAS beside
her at n bound.
my beauty! my darling! my own ~
"Sir, those words are an Insult to
mem she cried with spirit, striving in
vain to free herself from his caressing
arm.
IAN INSULT I would die before
would offer you an insult, my beautiful.
Come with me; / want to show you n
lovelier spot than this-comem
will not, she said, firmly, wrestling
herself from him, not daring to look up
in his face. How could you follow
mellow dared your"
Love will dare anything.m he said.
gayly, fastening his powerful eyes on
her face. and drawing her glance up to
his. Come, 1 will WOO you like
Claude Melnotte. And again he put an
arm about her; but, like flash of light
ming, the two were torn asunder, and
the man was thrown headlong with one
blow from the powerful arm Of Charlie
Vance.
Go" he said, sternly, pointing to the
frightened girl. al can save you from
his insolence, but cannot promise 10
save you from yourself. Go, and think
on your broken promises"
Later in the day Charlie came up to
Margaret's house and asked for her.
Whatever is the matter with the
| child ?" queried the mother. Tnever
saw her in such low spirits"
The young man made no answer, but
VNhs ihto Nut NOOls pti
Presently Margaret came down, white
as a lilly. There was an unspoken
question in her wide, fearless eyes.
INC, / didn't kill him, Maggie,
though he deserved it. / don't want
tie crime of murder on my soul, even
for you, my poor girl. But sent him
away as subdued and cooled-down n
man as ever you see. Such men are
always towards. And now, Maggie,
you're free. / never should want to
think of the look you gave him while I
held you in my arms, ard should have
TO think of It. I've come TO cay good
bye, for I'm of for the West, and II ever
I-hellow
There was low. broken sob, and on
his chest Margaret lay q dead weight.
The girl had tainted away.
Well, n long sickness followed. Charlie
could not leave her lying there between
life and death, and the first visit after
she could set up settled the matter