The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-03-05

All through their drive the touch q
her arm still thrilled him, until,
when they had returned aud he lifted
her down gently to the ground, an
irresistible impulse caused him %
whisper:
"I am coming over this evening. !
want to speak with YOU"
"Foolish boy !" she said to herself
AS she drew off the dainty gloves
within her room. my visit is bul
half done. and already he wants u
bring matters to climax. 1t mus
not be. / need him yet a little
longer"
Therefore, when. true to his prom
ise, he returned and begged her to e
out with him for little walk in ttt
moonlight, she refused, and petaiasS
~ shook her head. She was tired
she said, but ratified OIL gayly on
every theme, until he could not speak
the words he had meant to utter
That night he went away stiange
new pain in his heart, yet loving hel
more madly than ever.
She had gone out for stroll the
next morning, when she suddenly
encountered HIM. He had scarcely
slept since he had left her the night
previous. She read his purpose in
his eyes, and strove to divert it. As
well attempt 10 stem Niagara.
"Miss Armon," he began, II love
you! l should not have had the
courage, perhaps, to tell you, bul
that | have dared hope my love
might not be unWelcome to you.
know how bright and beautiful you
are, and how l lack in all that you
possess. But, oh, my darling! my
darling what | have not the courage
for is to live out my liie without you
VIII you share it, Adelaide, and
mold il as you will ?''
The words were out now. She
might no longer hope TO avert them
1t remained for her but to punish
his presumption.
Sir" she said, "you forget your.
self, and presume greatly upon my
having been thrown upon your so.
ciety !"
The mans face paled with a sud.
den pallor. A hauteur and dignity
equal to h, own robbed him of the
humility moment before apparent
Ibid understand you to use tn,
word presume, Miss Armon? h.
questioned. MAY l ask you in VIVA
lay presumption" ?"
Silently he awaited her reply. l
was her turn to be embarrassed anC
i'll at ease. She had meant to pla,
with harmless tool. Already sht
discovered her mistake.
1.-The difference in our stations-'
she began, hesitatingly.
He stopped her haIting sentenc,
with uplirted hand.
| II understand" he interrupted. ?
sort of white, repressed wrath shining
in his eyes. Because / am not one
of fashions fops you gagged the gull
between US. At least, Miss Armon
| offered you an honest mans honest
love. 1t was yours to reject or accept
there was no need to Insult it,"
And, turning on his heel, he left
her
Was it only the humiliation she
had meant to infict, but which had
reacted upon herself, which caused
the hot blood to dye her face, and the
smarting tears to rush to her eyes ?
She watched him out of sight, hold
ing himself proudly erect. and the
sunlight falling full on his fair hair
CLOSELY croppedl as he held his straw
hat in his hand, to let the summer
breeze play about his bare temples
Could it he that something was going
out of her life she would fain have
kept there? Once she started for
ward, his name upon her lips, tut
she did not utter it. The man was
mad. What destiny did he offer her?
Only farmers wife! Then she
sobbed, but checked it, wondering
why she wept. In weeks time
she had gone back to her home and
the old gay life awaiting her. She
had not recovered her roses, her
friends said. She thought to amuse
them by relating her rustic flirta-
tion, but somehow they never heard
the story. Her lips were dumb.
She had gone back to her old life,
and, of course, the old amusement OF
playing with hearts. but it had lost
its zest. OF all the men who had
AnoI al ..h1,,f hos I'D 40