The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1881-12-29

welcome sincere and heartfelt ana that
is more than can be said Of some social
ed fashionable society"
THAT sincerity, my dear boy. | re-
piled seriously, II know how to prize
more than all the pampered fattery Of
city life"
SO we started forth, Jack with feeling
CT JOY at the prospective meeting Of the
woman he loved, and | with feeling of
curiosity TO see this person in whom my
friend Tep0sed 50 much affection and con-
idence. Suddenly Jack stopped
There" said he, Il have forgotten
something for which | must return.
Walk Oh slowly and will oyertake You"
| proceeded leisureiy along the path,
and en- reaching the driveway which led
to the house, Jack not being in sight, I
entered alone. The avenue Was lined
with Z hedge of eyelgreens which shield
ed the house from view, and had gone
but a short distance when my steps We're
arrested by the sound of d lady's voice
Sne was singing in a clear soprano, a lit
tie French song, and the fresh morning
breeze carried the sound so that ! could
hear the words distinctly, ana stopped
to listen to them:
Tell ne, merry Christmas bells
Ringing Der the glitteTlnE snow,
Io my lover that is coming
Shall answer yes or no"
started in amazement, Surely had
heard that voice before. 1t was very ia
miliar, and looking through an opening
in the hedge, | saw, walking on the ve-
randa, Carrie Harding Yes, there She
was; a little more mature, a little more
Womanly than when we parted On that
December evening, three long years ago,
but far more beautiful with her rounded
form ana developed graces could
scarcely believe my eyes, but it was be-
yOnd doubt, and | could not imagine
how She had come here. Since seeing
her marriage in the paper had heard
nothing Of her, and until this moment
did not know whether she were alive or
dead.
As looked upon this woman who had
50 strangely crossed my path, the past
came back to me with terrible viviuness :
the joy and happiness that had been mine
and the sudden, cruel blow that had ter
minated all my love for her, and which
had made me hard and unteeing.
dreaded the time when my friend should
arrive and | be compelled to meet this
lady face TO face. meditaled flight and
numerous equally Impossible eXpedleuts,
but | was called TO my senses by the
footsteps of my friend and his CHEEKY
whistle
Jack, said l, as he joined me, .who
is that lady 2
"That?' said Jack, looking through
the hedge, why, that is Miss Harding,
my friend, the lady concerning whom
spoke to you last evening. Isn't she
handsome Come let me introduce you y
But | held him with grasp like Il
wise.
lone moment" said quickly. AS
this your friend? She is married, is she
note'
Married" !" said Jack in astonishment.
'Not that | am aware of. Her parents
are dead, and she has been living here
with her uncle, Mr.. Foster, for six
months. Did you ever meet her Z"
"Ies," replied carelessly, Il met her
some years ago, in the city. | have not
seen her for quite while, and presum-
for by this time / had recovered my SELF
possession, 'let us 60 in and see the la
dies. | shall be pleased to renew Miss
Hardlng's acquaintance"
SO we entered the house and was in
troduced to the company. Miss Harding
was not in the room at the time, but
heard her step on the stairs and il a mo-
meDt she stood at the open door She
recognized me ut once, and a soft blush
sul1used her cheek, but without apparent
embarrassment she advanced, held out
her hand and said pleasantly
81 am very glad to see You, MI. Chand-
ler."
My friends called me ready talker, but
at this moment | was deprived Of my
power of speech, and, after muttering
ure," awkvardly withdrew and entered
into conversation with one of the other
ladies' Yet, in spite of myself, my eyes
would wander to where Jack and Miss
Harding were talking together, and |
could not but notice the joyful play Of
his features, how his face would light up,
and the evident fascination plainly visible
III his cOuntenance as he gazed at this
beautiful woman.
''Poor fellow said to myself, 'Ibe is
another OF her victims. Spider-like she
lures him into her web, wins his heart.
and when the novelty of the toy is gone
throws it aside for fresh conquests.'
At length one Of the ladies proposed
Slelghride, and the motion being received
with favor, nothing would satisfy their
feminine fancieS but that Jack and my
self should stay to dinner, which invitation
We did not refuse. After dinner the party
in two sleighs, each drawn by pair of
noble horses, started out for that acme Of
winter amuSements-a sleighride. Jack
and myself were in one conveyance, he
occupying the front seat with Miss Hard
ing, and Miss Foster and myself riding
behind.
Every one has been on a sleigh-ride.
The very name brings to ones mind
the jingle of the bells, the fast flying
horses, the shouts of laughter and the
eHuberance Of spirits, which contrast
strangely with the quiet sombre fields
Wrapt in their winters sleep. And yet
did not enjoy it, for my eyes were con
stantly on slight figure before me. bun
died with furs, and looking "fatally beau
titul." She had blghted my life, made
ulo ulotl uoUlul vi llldnhluu, ana not from
any fault of my own, for had loved her
almost to idolatry and would have done
anything for her sake Now she was
here again, this time tempting my friend
who like sacrilicial lamb triSked in the
sunshine of her smiles. needless of ap-
preaching danger. What could | do9
Should . warn him of the trouble that
was soon TO come upon him? My mind
was thus filled with doubts and uncer-
tainties. When we reached a neighbor-
ing town some ten miles away, we stopped
for refreshments and on returning to the
sleigh a discussion arose "a To seats