Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-07-29
q gleasamt Sturp.
HE LEARNED TOO LATE.

The summer was like no other summer
the world had ever known. Never was
June so sweet; never was morning so rosy
and radiant; never were lights so tender
A young and beautiful girl stood looking
at the sunset as the last farewell glow balhed
the blue waves in golden radiance. To look
at her face one would never dream that her
position in life was not among the proudest
but glance at her simple dress would dis
pei the illusion. Fossy Thayer had been
brought up by her grandfather in quiet,
secluded country neighborhood. The old
gentleman was wealthy. Fossy was the
darling Of his heart, and great pains were
avished upon her education. The grand
fathers health was not good, and they
travelled great deal, often spending the
winter in the South. They had been there
when the crash came Mr. Thaycr lost his
money He was the most honorable man
alive he returned home, paid his liabilities
TO the last iarthing, sold the beautiful coun-
try seat where Fiossy had spent her child
hood and established himself in an old farm
house by the sea, with hardly enough money
left to live upon.
So for four years Mr. Thaycr and his
granddaughter had lived quietly enough in
their retreat So far as the old gentleman
knew, Flossy was always happy, but in
truth she was always waiting for some Won
derlul change that was 10 free her from the
humdrum life in which her life was passing.
But il was nevertheless true that no palace
ever sheltered maiden more royalty fair
than she And 50 thought some one else US
he drew near her with quick, light footstep.
Tall and straight, with dark laughing eyes
and mouth Swallowed by moustache, Mark
Norton was just fitted TO win the fancy Of u
young, inexperienced girl.
$50 you have been waiting for me :
Happy man To have won the love Of one
so fair and sweet"
A glow Of crimson tinged the girls face
US the eyes uplited TO meet her lovers told
plainly what was in her heart While the
young people conversed Mark took Flossy's
hand in his and told her something which
made the teardrops quickly start.
ado not grieve, dear Flossy. shall only
be gone short time, and you know that If
IL were not necessary nothing could take me
from you. You are not afraid that absence
could alter my lover Flossy, you do not
doubt meT
She was young and unused 10 the world,
and IL Is no wonder that she trusted Mark
Norton, who, 10 her, was the noblest and
grandest Of men, They parted. Mark Nor.
ton, following his physicians advice had
come that summer 10 the quiet country
town by the sea TO regain his health, which
had long been delicate. In one of his ram
blcs he had met Flossy, and being shy and
shrinking, IL had been the work Of long
time TO establish himself upon friendly terms
with the girl, whose beauty surpassed any
he had ever seen. II was not long before, with
thrill Of vanity, Mark could see the hold he
had gained in her innocent heart. One day,
In answer 10 his whispered question, Flossy
acknowledged that her heart was his, and
he placed n golden band Of bctrotha upon
her slender finger.
For time after his departure letters from
her lover came regularly 10 FlOssy; but af-
ter awhile the letters came less frequently,
and then when three months has passed the
looked-for letter came. 1t read, oh, how
coldly, and contained his farewell 81 am
going abroad. shall probably be absent
several years. Our immediate marriage Is
now, Of course, an impossibilty could
not ask you, nor do | feel it right TO hold
you, through an indefinite time, 10 your
pledge, therefore free you"
Once, twice she read the letter through T;
then, with white face and fearless Dyes, held
IL 10 the match with a steady hand nor let
IL fall till the fame crept so close that IL
blackened the tender flesh and thejcttcr lay
singed and charrcd under her feet That
day she went into her grandfather's room
and laid her head on his. "Dont talk 10
me, grandpa" she said, "and don't ask me
any questions, but we will keep house alone,
you and |, and wen forget that we intended
10 let anybody else in.'
"rhe scoundrel If you had been rich,
my child, this sorrow would not have come
upon you, But, mark my words, some.
time you will have your revenge"
Four years have swiftly passed. Seated
in room In ono Of the popular hotels in
New York were two young men. Suddenly
one Of them, looking out of the window, ex-
Chained
.'Look, Aubrey See II you know who
that lady Ia. What a lovely woman. DO
you know her Z"
| II should think that did. and think my