The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-03-10

despite my fond sympathy for her. I
was not being selfishly happy at her ex-
pense, for, on my own part, / entirely
believed in her lovers treacherousness,
though there was nothing that could go
for real proof. 1t was foregone CON
clusion with me, and it was, therefore
only its issue 1 reieiced at.
In my present state of feeling it was
easy to fall into hopeful dreams of the
future it was impossible not to. And
now, as she sat meekly on the sofa. after
all her passionate struggles were over, |
felt convinced that, if | could win her
hand in the way we had agreed upon, l
could also, with time, win her pure
heart for my own. 1t was glorious
goal. Something to live for, something
to work and struggle for. My life and
utmost energies had found the incentive
they had lacked so long.
We fell now into composed and
quiet talk, and she listened patiently
while [ unfolded my plans for her. But
there rested on her lovely face such a
! look of unutterable sorrow that had to
turn my eyes away. How blessed it
would be to smooth away this look-to
recall the gay vivacity of my own bright
Lola What happy task In spite of
all, felt should succeed.
A long silence had fallen upon us
| both. The room was warm, and had
set open the door leading into the hall
L was glad of an excuse to do so, as it
took away some of the air of privacy
which feared she might find irksome.
| She did not seem to notice my action,
but sat facing the door, with her dropped
eyes resting on the little hands clasped
in her lap. Presently a foctstep was
heard coming along the hall, and she
listlessly looked up. As she did so,
the light of great, ecstatic Joy rushed
over her face. She sprang to her feet,
with the glad cry:
Richard w and flung herself into his
arms. He clasped her tight to his heart,
and drew her into the room. Was he
true or false? 1 knew that need only
see his face to tell. In that moment OF
extreme excitement he would forget to
don his mask. He stopped above hel
and covered her neck and face with
kisses. Then, after that moments rap.
true, he looked at me. 1t was n noble
face-honest, manly and kind.
| ought to have been glad, but heard
myself groan.
would have left the room, but Lola
detained me, telling her lover i'll en-
thusiastic terms how kind I had been
and begging him to thank me, which he
did in such terms as only a good anC
honorable man could have used. l hat
to listen, too, to his explanation. II,
had, indeed, gone West, having accepted
II promising appointment which woulC
give him permanent aud remuneratiy,
employment. Having settled matter
there, he had obtained leave, and wa
now on his way to Spain and Lola. |
was all as clear rs day.
That very evening they were married
I was the only witness besides the clel
gyman. and never will forget the radi
ance of her face as watched it durin!
the service. l rather feared her jo
might be dimmed by some remember
ing thought of me, but it was not Sc
| don't think she ever comprehende
my feeling for her, and, of course,
pleased her to fancy now that it la
been chiefly pity for her loneliness.
) The service ended, there RENAME
nothing but to take Lola to jeweler
shop nearby and let her choose a pres
cut from me, which she muniiicentl
! paid for with kiss.
1t was, indeed, the last