The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-10-14

cablegram was received which called
him 10 Paris. He would have trans
ferred any ordinary business To another
partner. for Mr.. Darcy was especially
DESTROYS of remaining at home ut this
particular time; but the matter in hand
was one which demanded his personal
attention, because Of previous ncgotia-
tions, and 60 he must.
MIR. Darcy's business was complicated
and exacting. and it was two years
before he could leave it to return home.
When Darcy left her on the night of
hor adventure, Maudc Etheridgc climbed
the four long flights of stairs which led
to her room, and after she had told her
mother about it. dwelling gratefully on
Mr.. Darcy's galantry and kindness,
she sought her bed. To lie awake in that
blissful state of unrest which first love
brings TO a young heart.
Strange power this all-prevailing.
never-dving. wonderful passion which
we call love. Here were two persons
who, until this night. knew nothing Of
each others existence, and yet within q
brief fragment of IN hour a feeling
whose subtlety is past finding out had
entered the heart of each and bound
them together by Il chain which was
immaterial and invisible, but Us strong
rs life itself.
There followed this eventful night o
season of hope. doubt, and fear 10
Maud. When she thought of Darcy's
position in life and hers, she felt that
she was foolish to cherish love which
seemed utterly hopeless. and yet there
was nameless something in his man.
ner at parting which spoke tenderly to
her even nova sort of electric mes
sage from his heart to hers, which only
a woman could interpret, and she said
to herself, "He will come"
But he did not come, though days
heightened into weeks, and weeks into
mOnths-nO word, no sign that sine was
remembered. At last her hope became
that which makcth the heart sick, and
in her despair of ever seeing him
again. her pride rebelled and struggled
with her love. 1t was useless; her
hope died. but her love still lived. And
even when she believed it smothcred
the fire burned up anew; it was
kindlcd with spark divine, and would
not die.
But had Darcy forgotten her? On tho
contrary, rs week followed week, and
| month followed month, and his business
still kept him away, his Impotence 10
return became u sort of half frenzy.
1t would have been better, after all. ii
another member of the firm had AS
sumed the duty which Darcy went to
Paris to perform, for, as the matter
l,o nj, ,,Nnnth uffaY month hi,
state of mind was anything but suited
to the proper transaction of important
business. The beautiful unknown was
always in his thoughts, and he lOngcd
to be where he could see her again. In
a word, Darcy was desperately in love.
and he hcapcd anathemas upon his
miserable business which kept him
away from the girl who had stolen his
heart. He felt now how great was his
stupidity in not learning her name, fol.
it would have given him some comfort
to write to her and let her know that
he thought of and loved her, and would
soon come to ask her love in return.
AS it was. she seemed utterly lost to
him, and he became dOwncast, restless.
and unhappy.
Two years had passed since Darcy
left, and although he had well-ni.h lost
all hope of finding the object of his
still faithful love when he returned, it
was with u thrill of something akin TO
Joy that he finally closed his business
and started for home.
AS Darcy was walking on the deck of
the steamer a lady's light wrap came
sweeping down toward him. and would
have blown overheard if he had not
caught it.
He turned to look for its owner, and
saw two ladies little distance forward
one, of middle-age, seated; the other,
young. just starting to recover the flu
gitive shawl. He advanced to restore
| it, and as he placed it in the lpdy's
hand he looked full into the eyes of his
beautiful unknown.
Why should describe Darcy's feel
ings ut that supreme moment OF his
life? Put yourself in his place. AS
for Maud her reorganization was equally
sudden, and she turned rs pale rs
death, uttered his name under her
breath in tremulOus tone of unbound
ed surprise and joy, and then, with the
usual inconsistency, blushed fiery-red
faithful heart prompted.
Darcy stood for moment like one in
| q trance; then, from his half-parted
| lips there came the words:
"Once more we meet" spoken more
to himself than to her.
Only four little words, but they bore
with them the inetfiable tenderness of a
boundless love.
The good ship speeds over the deep
blue sea, the white-caps dance merrily
on the crest of the swelling pillows, the
sun looks smilingly down from cloud
less sky, and life is very beautiful to-
day to Maud and Darcy. The doubts,
tho fears, the longing of the two weary
years are forgotten in the unspeakablo
happiness of reunion.
But how did it happen that Maud and
her mother, whom we found in power
ty, and occupants Of a tenement-house
two years ago appeared now on
steamer. and surrounded by evidences
Of ample wealth.
Darcy was too full of the joyful meet
ing to think of this at first; later on,
Maud explained it. They had received
letter from the solicitor of Il near rel
alive Of theirs. informing them of that
relatives death and clause in his will
leaving them a handsome fortune.
A few months later there was we'd
ding in the city where our story opened,
and the fair unknown became Mrs.
Reginald Darcy.