The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1881-01-07

! his promise to her parents, and went
/ further, sending at his own expense her
two eldest brothers to college. He re-
manned at the inn the entire winter, lest
he might, by some unfortunate accident,
lose his treasure Mabel was submissive.
Her brilliant marriage engagement was
the envy of the entire neighborhOod.
And when the farmers daughters saw
/ her driving out with Mr. Claire in mag
nticent style, they sighed with envy,
little dreaming how often her smile had
an aching heart.
The following spring, when all nature
was hight and smiling, when the apple
trees We're again in bloom, Mable was
sitting alone by one of the 'front-room"
windows In a few days she was to be
married. She sat listlessly looking over
the wide-spreading landscape, thinking
of her ruined happiness.
Suddenly She was startled. for Philip
Adalr stood out upon the porch before
her His looks were strangely altered
so pale and stern. Mabel. in an agony
of despair, looked mp, and for a moment
they gazed fXedly into each others pale
faces
At last Mabel exclaimed:
philip. why are you come? You
know | have given YOU up.
''AIabcl. | have come to hear from
your own lips that which none could
force me to believe. Mine until death,
Philip, said he, bitterly. Il thank
my God that I am rid of one so un-
worthy When l left you, Mabel, l
went away with no thought but of You
and your happiness. Whilst | was labor
ing for tins. vOu were plotting to wound
me I'm the cruelest way; vou little know,
Mabel Vaughn, the mischief You have
done, Farewell, and may a just God
deal with YOU as You have dealt with
me-,
lie turned quickly, leaped from the
porch, hasteued through the front yard,
mounted his horse, and was soon gallop-
ing along the highway
Mabel was hewildered at first Arous-
ing herself, she followed as far as the
wicket gate in time TO see him disappear
ing in the dim distance. She held out
her arms toward him. exclaiming
Philip with n bittercry Of pain Then
she returned. and. seating herself upon
the steps of the porch. buried her face
in her hands, whilst her whole frame
shook with her agitated feelings Thus
they parted they who had vowed to go
through life together
Afabel's ioyless wedding was over.
She left with Mr. Clair to preside over
his elegant establishment in the city of
P He was a cold. selfish man of
the world. There was no congeniality
between them, and Mabel, though sub
missivc. found her life a blank. As time
rolled ON the gulf widened and widened
between them, he regarding her with
Jealous suspicion, knowing she had mar
rled him without love, and considering
himself injured IN marrying one in her
position and not having il appreciated
H was liberal toward her family, and
Mabel felt kindly toward him when she
saw them prosperous and happy.
Philip Adair, never rightly understand
ing the matter, accused her of duphcity
and q love Of display. Twice IN after
years he saw her. Once she passed him
in her elegant carriage; their eyes met;
neither spoke, both considering them
selves injured. Philip WAS surprised to
see the dark eclipse that had dimmed the
radiant beauty; never, he thought. had
hc seen human being SO pale. "She
has reaped what she has sown, said he,
bitterly. though his heart was full of
pity. The lips may utter severe re
prOaches whilst the poor, tortured heart
IS all love the while. Pride concesls
anguish, and Philip, IN spite of his bit
ter words, would have died to save her if
he could
When he again saw her she was still
paler. She lay in her coffin, and was
beautiful even there. When she felt her
end approaching she beckoned to her
mother, saying:
1" 1t may be q foolish request, mamma
dear, but bear with me, for mine isa tired
and wounded spirit When / am no
more, it viii be a pleasure for you TO
know you have consented to my dying
request. Please have me buried in the
old orchard, under my favorite tree.
SO when the apple. trees were again in
bloom they buried her there. 1t was
bright sunny day. The birds sang
sweetly by the winding river, which
shone like band of silver unrolled, the
bees hummed from flower to flower, the
only inanimate thing was the sleeper
beneath the coffin lid
Philip Adair prospered wonderously
and gratified the ambition of his parents
and friends. He became a distinguished
man in the world, made a brilliant mar
riage, and was considered by his less
fortunate friends lucky fellow. But
though favored by many blessings, there
was always a solitary place in his heart
"a void which the world could not sat
isfy or fill In society he was gay and
cheerful. kind and generous, and the
grief that was buried deep within his
heart was known only to his Maker.