Middletown transcript., 1881-08-12

I
her eyes roved restlessly TO the ope
window, where, on the parterre beyonc
shown the red light from mans ciga
It was still there, still cleaning
when she had gone up to her room
She crossed to the window to pu
down the shade, but stood minute
fascinated, motiOnless.
" After tonight he will forget me,
she murmnred, sadly. And L
shall remember him forever y
Then, as though a sudden truth ha
burst upon her, she drew down tn
shade-to throw herself, with quick
impetuous motion, prone upon tn
couch, and weep the first heart-tear
she had ever shed.
6 The drama has ended-Miss Allisol
has refused him N This was the gen
eral verdict when, twenty-four hour
later, Bayard Hunter babe his hostes
adieu, and withdrew to town on pleS
of sudden business.
Of course the news reached Sydney'l
ear.
81 have not refused him, . she said
aloud. Not even that satisfaction is
mine, " she said to herself" nor evel
will be 1t was only the might have
been. =
He was not the man, she knew full
well, to plunge desperately into fir
tation, or associate his name at once
with another woman's, or to retire
later OF rise earlier or in any way
disturb the even tenor of his way. The
difference between them was only this
his heart was healing, perhaps already
healed, but he would bear it's scar to
the grave, hers was a fostering sore,
which hurt the more that she had let
the physician who might work its cure,
pass her by.
The summer Waned to a close. Nature
had lent autumn it's wonderous paint
box and magic brush, and mountain
and hillside were converted thereby
into glorious beauty. Then came King
Frost, first to heighten by his touch,
then to kill, followed by winters lag
ging footsteps, mercifully bearing the
exquisite white shroud Of snow to
cover up all signs of devastation and
decay.
The season in the gay world was at
it's height. Occasionally, murmurs
among the debutantes for its honors
arose at the fact that, though Miss
Allison's fourth winter, her former
success paled in its most effulgent
light.
She and Bayard Hunter constantly
net. She almost wished he might
lvoid her, but at the first chance en-
counter he had approached with out
stretched hand.
"HoW charmlngly you are looking,
Mss Allison, . he had said.
And all in vain she had watched for
! tremor in his tone, or a shadow of
Embarrassment in his manner.
"Only week between him and ship
wreck II she thought bitterly. "Ah,
le has sailed so far from the fatal
ock, that doubtless he would now
augh at its supposed danger and II
vas weak and vain enough to think he
TODD upon the precipice's brink Y
The new year had come, and one
vening Sydney stond alone in her
ather's drawing-room, looking out at
he fast gathering darkness, when
through its somber shade she saw
gure pass and mount the steps.
A visitor ~ she uttered, wearily
hen waited the inevitable announce
lent she knew must follow.
But spite Of her every effort, she
tarted when the servant throwing
pen the door, uttered Mr.. Hunters
anne. Oh, how glad she was that the
ooms were not yet lighted as she went
)rward to receive him
g May 1 welcome you in darkness -
ne questioned.
AS you WILL he answered. Z" l
ave but few moments to stay. ! am
ome to bid you goodbye and to ask
ou to wish me a bon voyage
"Bon voyagel You are going
broad ~
" Yes I sail on Saturday. l hesi-
ted about calling, but my desire to
e you led me to believe you would
lrdon my audacity in supposing my
)ing a question Of enough moment to I
axe it worthy a special call. . {
"My friends are always welcome, l
r. Hunter. 1 did not suppose it
you should hear that repeated
W." :
{" Nor is it. 1t was only morbid |
ncy on my part which induced me to t
lestion it. l shall come back, | trust S
ith my mind clearer. At least I shall
some years older. When 1 return 1 t
esume shall look for Miss Allison
vain, until find her in some matron,
ually charming. 1 cannot imagine il
I quite staid and portly" S
So he could speak thus lightly of her !
coming the wife of another man j? II
nd he was going away she might n
yer again hear his voice nor see his g
,e. 1t was too cruel Il
He and fate were too strong for her. v
le tears gathered in the gray eyes but G.
9 darkness hid them.
He ratified on-she had no need to g
9ak. Then he rose to go. IL
" Goodbye, Miss Allison l''--he az
* her hands in both his" good al
God bless youI'' g
Was it her fancy that just at the last, e
voice trembledP
r., 4 4 I