Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1881-12-29

turned with her old smiles as he asked
did you come to escape the crowd 2
'sNo; /; for had the crowd been here ]
should have stayed, 7 love the sea SC
much. never dance, you know, and
shall not be missed"
Il missed you, and searched until
found you-dreaming"
stPerhaps am given to dreaming
but tonight was thinking of my past
life."
"Your past, like your present. is good
toremember."
He spoke with shade of bitterness
for what did hers make his ovncareless,
worldly one appear?"
Il was only thinking of the starting
point. Shall we return?"
'sNot unless you. wish il, for have
wanted to see you alone, but have moi
been able to. You must know what il
is I have to tell, for no man can be with
you without learning to love and
respect you. My life is not worthy to
offer but you can make me what you
will. Oh. Carmie, love you-I love
you'll Will you say that you care for
me and will be my wife?'
His face was pale with the great pas
sion which thrilled his soul, his eyes
were burning and bright as they
searched her face for one tender look,
and his hand closed upon hers with a
fierce, o'ermastering grasp; but she was
looking away from his face, beyond the
line of harbor lights and the very sen
itself, as she answered. slowly;
"ls it myself or my hundred thousand
that you would marry ?"
All the scorn and subdued-fee1ings
of those twelve years rang out in the
clear, proud voice:
s'Yourselfl What do 1 cafe for your
wealth? Come to me penniless, but
for your love-I will work for both !;
only tell me I can, dearest" =
"Wait until repeat your words Of
twelve years ago. Let me show you
how well I remember you said Of Car
mie Brownell, a poor and friendless
girl, Were she worth hundred thou
sand l would marry her tomorrow I
am worth it now, and you come saying
that you love me. Had you said SO
then. the girl Carmie would have be-
lieyed with a faith the woman has not.
| am glad you didn't say this then, even
had you cared for me /; you did me a
greater service, for after hearing your
opinion of me, I crept away, and after
the first outbreak I determined to make
my life worth living, even if it might
never be worthy Galbraithe : and the
words that wounded so cruelty at first
proved the incentive and watchword to
something better than I then dared
dream. Years ago should have con-
sidered your offer to me tonight the
best Of all, and would have thought my
self avenged but now am only sorry
that any one should suffer through
caring for me.D
The sweet, earnest voice was silent !;
the waves moaned and sobbed on, the
sands below like some doomed, hope
less soul, and the music foated out to
them wild and sweet-dying in crash
and wall of anguish.
SIS there no hope, if you have for
given my foolish, mercenary words? ?
Oh, Carmie, let me live for you, and
prove my love by that r.
She turned with face as white as his
in the moonlight, and look of pain in
her grave eyes; then, very softly with
a world Of saddened tenderness in her
voice:
81 am engaged to marry Philip
Leicester we have cared for each other
a long time"
And then Ileicester's tall form came
upon the terrace. He took Carmie's
hand upon his arm and drew her soft
shawl around her with a proud air Of
possession while Carmie, ever thought
ful for this strong mans passion and
the sorrow that had settled like dark
ness upon him, led Philip down the
steps. and away under the great calm
stars and the moonlight, to walk in the
glory Of perfect love together.