, 1881-07-08

AL ClOll
to withdraw her fingers.
Instantly he released her.
Il see that have hurt you," he re-
turned, courteously, and took up the idle
oars. Pardon me-" he continued, 81
will not ever again"
A few bold strokes, and the boats keel
grated on the shore. Ten minutes later,
and the two reappeared in their hostess
tastefully appointed salon.
A group of men instantly gathered
about Miss Allison. Never had her laugh
rung out more clearly, her gay sallies of
but ever, from time to time, her eye
roved restlessly to the open window,
where, on the parterre beyond, shone the
red light from 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 a minute, fascinated,
motionless.
''After tonight, he will forget me-,
she murmured, sadly. And II shall
remember him forever"
Then, as though a sudden truth had
burst upon her, she drew down the
shade-to throw herself, with quick, i'm
petuous motion, prone upon the couch,
and weep the first heart-tears she had
ever shed.
1.-The drama is ended-Miss Allison
has refused him. This was the general
verdict, when, twenty-four hours later,
Bayard Hunter bade his hostess adieu,
and withdrew to town on plea of sudden
business. OF course the news reached
Sydney's ear.
Il have not refused him." she said,
aloud. Not even that satisfaction is
mine" she added to herself-''nor ever
will be! 1t was only the might have
beenr"
he was not the man, she knew full
well, to plunge desperately into fiirta-
ton, or associate his name at once with
another woman's, or TO retire later or
rise earlier, or in any way disturb the
even tenor of his way. The difference
between them was only this-his wound
was healing, perhaps already healed, but
he would bear his scar to the grave; hers
was fostering sore, which hurt the more
that she had let the physician who might
work its cure pass her by.
The summer waned to its close. Nature
had lent autumn its wondrous paint-bOx
and magic brush, and mountain and hill
side were converted thereby into glorious
beauty. Then came King Frost, first to
heighten by his touch, then to kill, fol-
lowed by winters tagging footsteps, mer
cifully bearing the exquisite white
shroud of snow to cover up ali signs of
devastation and decay.
The season in the gay world was at it's
height. Occasionally murmurs among
the debutantes for its honors arose at the
fact that, though Miss Allison's fourth
winter, her former success paled in its
more effulgent light.
She and Bayard Hunter constantly met.
She almost wished that he might avoid
her; but at tlreir first chance encoun-
ter he had approached with outstretched
hand.
''How charmingly you are looking,
Miss Allisonp' he said.
And all in vain she had watched for a
tremor IN his tone, or shade of embar-
rassment in his manner.
"Only a week between him and ship
wreckl' she thought bitterly. ''Ah, he
has sailed so far away from the fatal reek
that doubtless he would new laugh at
his supposed danger, and II was weak
and vain enough to think he stood upon
the precipice's brinl{r'
The neY- year ear b had come, and one eve
hfng Sydney stood alone in her fathers
drawing room, looking out ut the fast
gathering darkness, when through its
somber shade she saw figure pass and
mount the steps.
"a visitor" she uttered wearily. Then
waited the announcement she knew must
follow.
But in spite of every effort she started
when the servant gave Mr.. Hunters
name. Oh, how glad she was that the
rooms were not lighted as she went for
ward to receive him.
MAY l welcome you in darkess?" she
questioned.
''As you will, he answered. st have
bnt few moments to stay. I am come
to bid you goodbye, and to ask you to
wish me bon voyage"
Bon voyage! You are going abroad?"
''Yes; I sail on Saturday. / hesitated
about calling but my desire to see you
led me to believe you would pardon my
audacity in supposing my going ques-
tion of enough moment to make it worthy
special call"
y friends are always welcome, Mr..
Hunter. 1 did not think it necessary
you should hear that repeated now"
Nor is it. 1t was only morbid fancy
on my part which induced me to ques-
ton it. 1 shall come back. trust, with
my mind clearer. At least shall be
some years older. When return / pre-
sumo 1 shall look for Miss Allison in
vain, until find her in some matron,
equally charming. I cannot imagine her
quite staid and portly."
So he could speak thus lightly of
her becoming the wife of another mani
and he was going away; she might never
again hear his voice nor see his face. 1t
was too cruell
He and Fate were too strong for her.
The tears gathered in the gray eyes, but
darkness hid them.
He ratified on-she had no need to
speak. Then he rose to go.
Goodbye, Miss Allisonr'-he took
her hands in both his-'.good-bye! God
bless you'll"
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.
''Bayardw she said, softly.
Two strides, it seemed, brought him
back to her.
''You called me? For what? To make !
my going harder?"