Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-24

| that which my whole life in your dear presence
has been telling you ever since we first met and
| IN that meeting recognized each otheri All
lady mine. Ever since that sacred moment OF
meeting and mutual recognition / have beer
| tempted to believe in the old heather myth.
| that man and woman were originally one being:
but that Jove, in rage, cleft them in two
leaving the halves to seek each other sOrrOwine
through all the ages! To seek in vain-as we
see by all the. mismatched couples in this lower
world-except in such happy cases as ours; for
sweet lady. l have found my completion il
| you and you yours in ME. And We know ii
nOWi"
''Oh. Mr.. Hereward!" she moaned. in an al
| most inaudble tone.
''Thus. dear Leda, I have not followed YOU
here to tell you that which you feel and know
so well. but only to ask your permission to
| speak. at once, to your good father and invoke
| his blessing on our betrothal. But even this !
scarcely need to mention-fOr surely l know
have your sanction for it."
"Oh. Mr.. Hereward Pray pray do not talk
to me in this manner" she moaned. in agita-
ton. as site Withdrew her hand from his fond
clasp and covered her white face.
He gaZed on her in surprise and uneasness
yet scarcely taking in the full meaning of her
words.
but why? Why may not speak to you in
this way? Why. Leda? Why?' he inq uired,
trying to take her hand again.
She drew it away she faitered:
''Oh. Mr.. Hereward Because-because we
are only friends. And we can never be more to
each other than friends! Though hope" she
added. pleadingly. THAT we may always be lust
such dear friends as we are and have been
Shall we not?" she prayed. dropping her hands
and raising her eyes appealingly to his stern set
look.
He met her glance, he eazed on her white
| cheeks and trembling form. tixedly. incisively.
with incredulOus amaZeinent and Indignation in
every feature of his firm. handsome face. for no
Of horn dor tcU arIc bod
prepared his mind for this unexpected repulse
Miss Won kirschberg, how is this? 1t cannot
be that hear you aright!' he said.
''Ah, yes, you do. Mr.. Hereward! You hear
me Alright" she sighed.
"And we can be no more than friends?" he
! said, drawing in a hard breath. lis this true!'
'Oh. yes Mr.. Hereward 1t is true! And it is
heart-breaking!" she mOaned, in a voice full OF
tears.
.Leda! In the name of Heaven. What do
you mean? Explain yourself, implOre yOu!'
he urged. in an agony of sorrow, anxiety, and
confusion.
81 meant mean-Oh, Tudor! MY heart is
broken!' And she dropped her head on her
bosom and again covered her face with her
hands
"Leda! Leda." he cried with anguish.
''Oh, Tudor! Our friendship has been so
precious so delightful to mel And-and-all
our communion has been so improving. purify
ing, eleVating to my soul l am so much less
vain, SCIuoi, dlu lilfOlouS GIidl WLlcu yOu uTSt
met me. the spoiled Child Of fortune. Our pre-
ciOus. delightful friendship has saved and re-
deemed me! And-and-I pray that may en-
joy it forever. But-but-t must be ontyfriend-
ship" she said, while heavy. sobbingsigh shook
her bosom. and streams of tears forced them
selves through the slender fingers that covered
her face.
'Leda!" he exclaimed. in bitter pain, s'you
knew my love. my hopes. my aspirations! And
you led me on and On to the brink Of this humil-
iating overthrow. All! how cruelty and bitterly
you have deceived mei'
'Oh. do not reprOach me! Do not break q
bruised and aching heart! If l had deceived
you 1t was because had first deceived myself.
What knew | of my own untried nature ?
Nothing, or next to nOthng-when we first
metz
''Leda! Leda!"
'Let me speak You have charged me and
you must hear mel"
Speak. them" The above we publish as a
specimen chapter but the continuation of this
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 office OF book store. If
you are not within reach Of a news Office. you
can have the Ledger mailed to you one year by
sending three dollars to Robert Bonner, pub
Usher, $50 William street. New York.