Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-10-06

iaugh rung out more clearly, her CAV
sallies of wit and repartee been more
sparkling; but ever from time to time
her eye roved restlessly to the open
window, where, on the parterre beyond.
| shone the red light from a mans cigar
twas 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,
motionless.
After tonight he will forget me-
she murmured, sadly. "And IL shall
remember him forever p
Then, as though a sudden truth had
burst upon her, she drew down the
shade--to throw herself, with quick,
lmpetuous motion, prone upon the
couch, and weep the first heart-tears
she had ever shed.
"The drama has ended-Miss Allison
has refused Aimw This was the gen
eral verdict when, twenty-fouI hours
later, Bayard Hunter babe his hostess
adieu, and withdrew to town on plea of
sWdden business.
OF course the news reached Sydney's
ear.
81 have not refused him." she said
aloud. Not even that satisfaction is
nine," she said to herself-"nor ever
will be 1t was only the might have
| beenp"
| He was not the man, she knew full
well, to plunge desperately into firta-
| 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 heart
was healing, perhaps already healed,
but he would bear its scar to the grave,
hers was Il fostering sore, which hurt
the more that she had let the physician
who might work its cure, pass her by.
The Summer waned to Il close. Ma
ture had lent autumn its wondrous
paint box and magic brush, and noun
tain and hillside were converted there
by into glorious beauty. Then came
King Frost, first to heighten by his
touch, then to kill, followed by Winter
tagging footsteps, mercifully bearing
the exquisite white shroud of snow to
cover up all signs of devastation and
decay.
The season in the gay world was at
its height. Occasionally, murmurs
among the debutantes for its honors
arose at the fact that, though Miss ALI
sons fourth winter, her former success
paled in its most efiulgent light.
She and Bayard Hunter constantly
met She almost wished he might avoid
her, but at their first chance encounter
he had approached with outstretched
hand.
Glow charmingly you are looking
Miss Alison" he had said.
And all in vain she had watched for q
tremor in his tone, or shadow of en-
barrassment in his manner.
'Only week between him and ship
wreck p she thought, bitterly. "Ah
he has sailed so far from the fatal rock
that doubtless he would now laugh al
its supposed danger; and II was weak
and vain enough to think he stood up
on the precipice's brink !"
The new year had come, and one
evening Sydney stood alone in her IA
Tiers drawing room, looking out at
The fast gathering darkness, when
through its sombre shade she saw a
| figure pass and mount the steps.
"a visitor p she uttered, YEARLY;
then waited the inevitable announce
meut she knew must follow.
But spite of her every effort she start
ed when the servant, throwing open the
door, uttered Mr.. Hunters name. Oh.
how glad she was that the rooms were
not yet lighted rs she went forward to
receive himl
May l welcome you in darkness"
she questioned.
Gas you will" he answered. II have
but few moments to stay. / am Gene
to bid you goodbye, and to ask you to
wish me bon voyage"
"Bon voyagel You are going
abroad"
"Yes; / sail on Saturday. | hesitat-
ed about calling, but my desire to see
you led me to believe you would par
don my audacity in supposing my go
ing a question of enough moment to
make it worthy a special call"
"My friends are always welcome,
Mr.. Hunter. | did not suppose it nee
essary you should hear that repeated
now"
Nor is it. 1t was only morbid fan
cy on my part which induced me to
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 in
some matron, equally charming. |
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 and 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.
Goodbye, Miss Allisonn'-he took
her hands IN both his-"eood-hy? God
bless you!"
Was it her fancy that just at the last
his voice trembled?
He crossed the room; he had gained
ha