The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1881-03-30
MISCELLANY.
For The RECORD.
ONLY 4 WOMAN.
ts bY Gus GLENN.

passed her hand YEARLY across her brow.
!" Yes, ] will be girl forever; and what a
foolish one, TO be sure. o, that I could sum
mon pride to my aid / would lay aside
every care and be so strong -
Even as she spoke quick step sounded on
i the walk and merry whistle iioated on the
air. Alleen Trayers' heart beat fast. Where
was her pride now? She was trembling like
some gentle bird. The step drew nearer and
Alleen walked slowly down the walk to meet
the new conner.
He was handsome man. tall, grand look
ing, and about thirty.iye or thirty eight years
OF age-lookng far more youthful than many
man much younger.
Aleen Travers was not young girl but
as she had said, she would never lose her girl
ishness. She met Egbelt Leighton with a
bright blush on her fair face and love-light
ia her eyes.
He placed his hands upon her shoulders and
gazed down at the upturned face. "And how
is Alleen this evening?' he asked.
"Right WE'LL thanks replied the girl.
"And happy stilla" questioned the gen
tleman.
She did not reply, but her bead dropped
and the crimson dyed her face.
Clasping both little hands in one of his own
strong palms, and lifting her face with the
other hand, he waits for her TO answer his
question.
am waiting, Aleen," he said, coldly,
and as his icy tone fell upon her ear she SEEM
ed to gain strength. She withdrew her hands
from his and said, slowly. /" No; Alleen is
not happy. How can you expect itP"
What is to prevent you from being SO :"
he asked.
g Do YOU wish ME to tell you !" she whis-
pered, leaning forward. and her eyes shone
like stars as they met his unfiinchingy.
Most assuredy do" he replied, rather
uneasily.
''Gan be happy while this terrible secret
is crushing me2 Oh, Egbert l am your
wife Won't you claim me now9 If you
only knew what misery suffer, living this
life Of Glitter mockery Do you think I can
he harry . vs.
"Alleen, cannot disclose our secret how,
for certain reasons; but will do so soon.
Cheer tpi" And the man wound his arm
about the, slender waist and drew her close to
himself, pressing warm kisses on the low,
broad forehead.
She rested her flushed cheek on his arm,
while the tears fell thick and fast and the
heavy sobs shook her whole frame.
"Allie, this is nonsense You are well
aware how dear you are TO me, and you know,
too, that will claim you as soon as | can do
SO. My uncle woGld disown me If he found l
had welded a penpiless BRIDE and must
keep dark yet awhile. Now, promise me you
will try to be happy, and trust me-"
~ would rather work and help you gain a
fortune yourself, than TO live this frghtful
uncertainty p said Alleen.
You What could you do, Allie?"
ooh, many things, Egbert, If you would
only let me-"
An amused smile crossed his handsome fea-
lures as he kissed her fondly and said, kindly,
"WelI, well, we II see." ~ SCI
viii you, Egbert, win you really let me
help your know we would be so happy ~
"Ive no doubt of It, darling," he said, alb
sently. !" | win have TO leave you now
though. Meet me here tomorrow evening,
and we will take a drive and have little
| TALK
90 she bade him goodnight with an aching
heart. 81 am only womau," she said,
and am poweress. God help me J" And
she wendell her way sadly back to the house.
81, who was going to be so strong-I have
I let him put me off once more. Will the time
never come when | can say to the world, He
! is my husband?' | am bound down like some
prisoner. l cannot break my letters! !" En-
4 tering the house, she went up to her own
room, and throwing herself across the bed,
sobbed herself to sleep.
And where is Egbert Leighton at this time?
Up in the great handsome house ON the hill.
Lights are blazing and the grand parlors are
thrown open. Music floats out swcetiy on
the Summer air. There is a social party there
to. night, and tue high-bred Leightops are re-
ceiving their guests. Old Squire Leighton
sits in his reception chair and watches his me-
| phew as he assists in entertaining his uncle's
! friends. Egbert is very handsome to night,
| as he moves among the grand ladies' and their
man@uvreing mammas. He Is great
"catcb, =" and as the Squire watches him he
wonders why it is that, among the many fair
beauties, be cannot find one whom he chooses
as his wife. The ladies rave of his beautiful
eyes. All they may gaze, but they cannot
interpret the secret hidden in the fathomless
depths Of those dreamy orbs ! Little they
think who see the pleasant smile on the per-
feet face that his hand has been plighted to
tile little lady in the vinecad cottage that
those proud lips have uttered vows to love,
cherish and protect the woman who loves him
more than life. ~
The evening came to close, as all evenings
will, and the guests have departed. The old
Squire sits in his easy chair, while near him,
by the open window. Egbert is enjoying hi'
mcerschaum 10 dreamy silence. The hours
pass by unnoticed by the younger man. Al
length the clock strikes twelve. This arousei
him, and he hastily lays aside bis pipe anC
! comes to his unce's side.
You have sat here too long, uncle. bel