The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-08-06

not do it ever again.
| A few bold strokes, and the boats kee
grated on the shore. Ten minutes later
ana the two reappeared in their hostess
tastefully appointed salon.
4 group of men instantly gathered about
Miss Allison. Never had her laugh ruug
out more clearly, her gay sallies of wit and
repartee been more sparkling; but ever
from time to time, her eyes roved restless
ly to the open window, where, on the par.
terre beyond, shown the red light from a
mans cigar.
1t was still there, still cleaning, when
she had gone up to her own room. She
crossed to the window to pull down the
shade, but stood minute, fascinated, mo-
tiouleSs
.sAfter to night he will forget me, she
murmured, sadly. "And IL shall re-
mcmber him forever "
Then, as though sudden truth had
burst upon her, she drew down the shade
to throw herself, with quick, impetuous
motion, prone upon the couch and weep
the first heart-tedrs she had ever shed.
The drama has ended-Miss Allison
has refused him This was the general
verdict when, twenty.four hours later,
Bayard Hunter babe his hostess adicu,
and withdrew to town on plea of sudden
business.
OF course the news reached Sydney 5
ear.
II have not refused him, she said,
aloud Not even that satisfaction is mine,
she said to herself-"nor ever will be T!
It was only "tbe nigh, have been :"
lie was not the mau, she knew full we'll
to plunge desperately into Irritation, or as
sociate his name at once with another
womans, or TO retire later or rise earlier
or in any way disturb the even tenor Of
bis way. The difference between them
was only this-his heart was healing, per
haps already healed, but he would bear
its scar to the grave, hers was fostering
sore. which hurt the more that she had let
the physician who might work its cure,
pas her by.
The Summer vaued to 4 close Nature
had lent autumn it, woudrous paint box
aad magic brush, and mountain aud hill
side were converted thereby into glorious
beauty Then came King Frost, first to
heigh,cn by his touch, then to kill, fol-
lowed by Winters laeging footsteps, ner-
ciiully bearing the exquisite white shroud
Of suow to cover up all signs OF deyas,a.
ton aud decay
The season IN the gay world was 4, its
height Occasionally, murmurs among the
lebatantes Cor its honors arose at the fact
that, though Miss Allisons fourth winter,
her former success paled 10 is mos, efful-
gen, light
She aud BayaFd Hunter constantly met.
She almost wished be nigh, avoid her, but
al their FIRST chance encounter be had ap-
proaebed With ou,strcgehed hand.
HoE sharningly you are booking, Miss
Allison, he had said
And al in yaia she had watched for 4
trcmor in his tone, or 4 shadow Of eubar.
rassment in his manner
"Only week between him aud ship
wreck she thought, bitterly. "Ah, be
has sailed 50 FAR from the fatal rock, that
doubtless be would now laugh a. It's sup
posed danger and IL was weak and vain
enough to think he stood upon the presi.
piec's brink "
The new year bad come, aud one eve
aing Sydaey stood alone in her fathers
drawing room, looking out at the ias, gath.
erias darkness, when through its sombre
shade she saw figure pass ADD mount the
steps
\ visitor she uttered, wearily; then
waited the inevitable announcement she
knew mus, follow,
But spite Of her every effort, she started
when the servant throwing open the door,
uttered Mr. Hunters name. Oh, how
glad she vas that the rooms were not vet
lighted as she weat forward to receive
him
May | welcome YOU in darkness p she
questioned
As you sill, be answered. Il have
but few moments 10 stay. | am come
to bid you goodbye, and to ask you to
wish me bon voyage
3" Bon voyage You arc going abroad
d" Yes; | sail 90 Saturday. I hcsita,ed
about calling, bat my desire to see you
led me TO believe you would pardon my
audaeity in supposins my going a question
Of enough moment to make il worthy
special call. ~
Ny friends are always welcome, Mr..
Hunter did not suppose it necessary
YOU should hear that repeated now.
Nor is it. IL was only morbid fancy
% my part which induced me 20 question
it. | shall come back, | trust, with my
mind clearer. At least shall be some
years older When | return presume
shall look for Miss Allison in vain. until
| find her 10 some matron, equally charm
iug. l cannot imagine her quite staid and
portly.
So he could speak thus lightly Of her
becoming the wife Of another man And
he was going away; she might never again
hear his voice nor see his face. 1t was
too cruel
He aud fate were too strong for her
The tears gathered in the gray eyes but
the darkness hid them.
He ratified on-she had no need to speak.
Then he rose to go.
"Good-by, Miss Allison he took her
hands in both his-"good-by? God bless
you"
Was it her fancy that just at the last,
his voice trembled?
He crossed the room; he had gained
the door, Another instant, he would be
gone-another instant, it might be too
late.
"Bayard !" she said, softly.
Two strides it seemed, brought him back
to her
"You called me For what? To make
my going harder?'
"Oh, is it hard ? Iu mercy tell me- for
my own heart is breaking"
"Your heart breaking! Sydney, Sgd
nep! what does this mean p
But the sound of her sobs was his only
answer
"Child," he continued, 'can it be that
| have Judged you wrongly? Look up,
my darling Is it your wish that | should
stay?"
Then she found her voice.
II thought you did not love me enough,
she murmured. "But stay, and l will try
to make you love me more; or, if you must