The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1881-07-21

beauty. Then came King Frost, first to
heighten by his touch, then to kill, follow
ed BY winters laughing footsteps, mercifully
bearing the exquisite white shroud Of snow
to cover up al signs Of devastation and de-
The season in the gay world was ct ito.
height. Occasionally murmurs among the
debxtanis for it's honors arose at tho fact
that, though Gwendoline Cassilis' fourth
winter, her former successes paled in ito
moro e6ulgent light. s@'7 .: 81. ~ .5:s5z
She and Colonel Hitler constantly met.
She almost wished he might avoid her; but
at their first chance encounter he had ap.
preached with outstretched hand. Ss*#s*S
How charming You are. looking, Miss
Cassilis!" he had said. ,:,&-**5:
And Ill in vain she had watched for q
temor in Ills. tone, or shade Of embar-
rasscent in his manner. ..
Only week between him and ship.
wreck, " she thought bitterly. And he
has sailed so far from the fatal rock that
doubtless he would now laugh At his sup
posed danger; and IL wns weak and vain
enough to think he stood upon the preci-
pieces brink"
The new year had come, and one even
ing. Gwendoline stood alone in her fathers
drawing. room looking out at the fast gath
e1ing darkness when through its sombre
shade she saw figure pass and mount the
steps. =. PSI.
"A visitorr' she uttered, YEARLY; then
waited the inevitable announcement she
knew must follow.
But, spite Of her every effort. she started
when the servant. throwing open tho door,
uttered Colonel Killers name. oh, how
glad she was that the rooms were not yet
lighted as she went forward to receive him.
May welcome you in darkness?" she
questioned.
AS you will" he said. Il have but a
few moments to stay. lam come to bid
YOU good-by and to ask you to wish me
bon vovage."
Bon royaOe! You are going abroad?
,"Yes; sail on Saturday for India. I
hesitated about calling, but my desire to see
you led me to believe you would pardon my
audacity in supposing my going question
cial CALI -"
My friends aro always welcome, Colonel
Hitler. said Gwendoline, an icy feeling at
her heart. though she maintained an out
ward composure II did not suppose it
necessary you should hear that repeated
now"
Morris it.. 1t was only morbid fancy on
| my part which induced me to question it.
shall come back, ] trust, with my mind
clearer: Atleast I shall be some years DID,
er: When l return + presume shall look
for Miss Cassilis in vain, until find her in
some matron, equally charming. I cannot
imagine her quite staid and portly."
SO he could speak thus lightly Of her be-
coming the wife Ut another man! And he
Oh Srf,A =.
hear his voice or see his face. 7 was too
cruel!
He and Fate were too strong for her.
The tears had gathered in the grey eyes, bu,
the darkness bid them.
He rattled on-she had no need to speak.
| Then he rose to 20.
"Good-bye, Miss Cassilis !"-he took he,
hand in both his-"good bye! Goa bless
yoa!'
Was it her fancy that, just at the last.
his voice trembled?
Ee crossed the room; he had gained the
door. Another instant he would be gone
another instant. it might be too late.
"Claude! she said, softly.
Two strides, it seemed brought him bach
to her.
"You called me? For what? TO make
my going harder?'
oh, is it hard? In mercy, tell me, fo1
my heart is breaking!"
| "Your heart breaking! Gwendoline," and
the. mans voice sounded strangely hoarse,
what docs this mean?"
But the sound of her sobs was the on'y
answer.
Child" LIE continued, ''can it be that
have Judged you wrongly? Look up my dar.
ling! Is it your wish that I should stay?"
Then she found her voice.
II thought You did not love me enough,
she murmured; but stay,1 will try to make
you love me more; or, if you must 60, take
me with you."
June had given place to January, and
warmth to cold; but where was coldnes;
now was warmth. and the winter morn wat
happier than the early June crescent-fol
in Gwcndoline's heart was the song of birds
and the fragrance of flowers, mingling viii
the words which stole softly into her cal
while nesting in her lovers arms-ths
l L.,