The Evening critic., 1881-12-23

presence has been telling you ever since we
| first mot, and In that meeting recognized each
otherl All, lady minci Ever since that sacred
moment OF meeting and mutual recognition,
| have been tempted TO believe in the old heathon
myth, thnt man and woman were originally
one being, but that Jove, In n rage cleft them
| in two, leaving the halves TO seek each other
| Borrowing through all the agesl To seek In
| vain--ns we see by all the mismatchcd couples
| I'm this lower world--cxccpt in such happy
cases as ours, for, sweet lady, have found my
completion In you and you yours In me. And
we know IL nowl"
"Oh, Mr.. Hcrewardl" she monncd, In mn al
most inaudiblc tone.
| "Thus dear Icda, have not followed you
here 10 tell you that which you feel ana know
speak ri once to your good father and invoke
| his blessing on our betrothnl. But even this
scarcely need TO mention, for surely know
| have your sanction for It,"
| "Oh, Mr.. Horeward Pray, pray do not talk
| to mo In this mnnncrl' she mOaned, In agfta-
ton, as she Withdrew hcr hand from his fond
clasp aud covered her white face.
| lie gaZcd ON her In surprise and uneasincss,
yet scarcely taking In the full meaning OF her
words.
"But WHY Why may | not speak to you IN
| this way Why, LedaY WHY ;" he Inquired,
| trying 10 take her hand again.
| She drew II away as she fnltcrod:
"oh, Mr.. Hereward Because-bccause We
are only friends And we can never be more
| to each other than friondsl Though hope
she added, ploadingly, "that we may always
| be Just such dear friends ms we are and have
her hands ana raising her eyes appealingly TO
| his stern, set look.
lie met her glance, he gazed on her white
| checks and trembling form, flxedly, incisively,
with lncredulous amazemcnt and Indignation
| In every feature OF his Arm, handsome face,
| for no part OF her previous demeanor toward
him had prepared his mind for this unex-
| pected repulsc.
"NIlss Won Kirschberg, how is thisY 1t cannot
be that hear you Alright" he said
Yah, yes you do, Mr.. Hereward! You hear
| Vi
"And we can be no more than friendsY' he
| said, drawing In n hard breath. as this trueY'
"Oh, yes, Mr.. Hcreward! 1t IL true! And II
is heart-brcaking!'' she moaned, in voice fun
OF tears.
''Leda In the name OF Heaven, What do
you mean? Explain yourself, implore your
he urged, In an agonysf sorrow, anxiety, and
81 meant mean-oh, Tudor My heart is
broken!" And she dropped her head on her
bosom aud again covered her face with her
"Leda! Ledal" he cried with anguish,
"Oh, Tudorl Our friendship has been sc
precious, so delightful to moi And-and-all
our communion has been so improving, purify
| Ing, elevating TO my soul. am 80 much less
vain, selfish, and frivolous than when yon
first met me, the spoiled child OF fortune. OuI
precious, delightful friendship has saved and
redeemed me! And-and-I pray that l may
enjoy 1t forever. But-but-it must be 0nlS
friendship" she said, while heavy, sobbinp
signs shook her bosom and streams of tears
forced themselves through the slender fingers
that covered her face.
"Ledal" he exclaimed, in bitter pain, ''you
knew my Lowell my hopes! my aspirations
And you led mo on and on to tho brink OF this
humlliatlng overthrow. Ali how cruelty and
bitterly You have deceived met
'Oh, do not reproach mel DO not Dfeak 7
bruised and aching hearti If have deceived
you It was because had first deceived myself
What knew OF my own untried naturer Moth
Ing, or next to nothing-when we first nett
"Ledal Ledal"
''Let me speak, You have have charged me
and you must hear met
"Speak, then!'' The above we publish as 9
specimen chapter; but the continuation of thi,
story Will be found only In the N. Y. Ledger
Ask for the number dated January z, which
can now be had at any news of1lce or bookstore
II you are not I'm reach OF any news ONCE, yot
can have the Ledger mailed to you for one yea
by sending three dollars to Robert Bonner
publisher, $50 William street, New York.