Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1881-06-23
ried voice, holding both my hands in

his.
Good, ,byel It's all over between
us; and thank Heaven that | discov-
cred my mistake before it was too late
for a woman may make or mar a
mans happiness. Cool bye"
Then be left me and, walking q few
PAGES, turned, his face softened and
his voice changed to one of loving, re-.
proachful entreatv.
mora, you might have trusted me.
Oh, my darling, my darling, come
Oh, surely it is a mistake?'
He held out his arms. Oh, the pa
thos, the yearning that one word
Mora conveyed Often and often
since, in the still hours Of the night,
have I wept vain, useless tears at the
thousht of that last loving appeal
which | re- ejected.
Love was strong; but at that mo-
ment pride was stronger, Weak,
foolish girl that | was felt proud
of the storm | could raise and quell
with word, and resolved to bring
! hin. to my feet. | returned his low
ing entreaty with a mocklng little
curtsey, and laughed-actually y laugh
ed-ln the face of the man whose no.
BILE heart prompted him to make the
overtures. When | think of it now,
ana know what he must have thought
how he must have utterly despised
me, hate myself, and wish | could
lose alike the powers Of regret and
memory.
Stung to the quick, he stood erect,
his face whiter and sterner than I bad
ever seen it yet. Horror stricken at
the passion had reused, ! stood
trembling, for was afraid Of him
then, afraid to approach, to speak,
He spoke first. Slow Iy and distinct
ly the words came, bit | felt that he
meant what he said.
"Heaven forgive you, Nora Nc
Dermot; for at this moment | feel as
if | never could ~
Then lie went away, and was left
alone, too utter y heart broken to ut
ter words to stay him, He never
looked back -uever once. watched
him til the green branches hid him
from view; and then walked away, to
be alone with my misery.
And so We parted-my love and !,
under the pink and white blossoms in
the old orchard. But, oh, if could
see him once sgain, to kneel at his
feet and tell him how he was lnista
ken-is | could only hear his dear
voice whisper torgiyeness-l should
be happy
Harold left that night without
word or message for lne. Helen
come to me in tears to ask for some
explanation.
Poor little Nora she sobbed
Dear, he will come back-poor Har-
old Oh, what d:i you say to him =?
Ills eyes were full of tears, and he
could hardly speak when he said
Good bye Oh, ltora, a man must
fell very deeply when he cries like
woman lie made me promise not to
tell you till he was gone; and he took
that little gold heart out Of your
workbox, dear, and said 81 suppose |
may keep this as recollection of a
happy time that after all Was simply
a mistake p
Don't Helen y l cried. ooh,
stop-you will drive me mad !"
Three long days came and went,
and | watched and waited for Har.
old's return; for | thought he would
surely come back, when in a calmer
moment he had considered how little
ground there was for disagreement.
Alas, did not know then the real
reason that had GSnt him away, and
only fancied it was d foolish lovers
quarrel that few words would eX-
plain. And SO | watched and hoped
and started at every sound, every
step, and longed for the moment of
his return-the moment that never
came.
Here, NORA said Tom, tossing a
letter across the break fast table to me.
From Harold, who, | conclude has
come to his senses. Post mark Dub
| lin not SO far off, after all. -
With my door locked, l tore open
the letter and read it all through to
| tLo ,n3 IN , bl,pl, ,,,oh rort nf ,y,u