The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-07-21


ed by winters tagging footsteps, mercifully
bearing tho exquisite white shroud of snow
to cover up all signs of devastation and de-
cay.
The season in the gay world was at its
height. Occasionally murmurs among the
t1ebut0Mts for it's honors arose at the fact
that, though Gwendoline Cassilis' fourth
winter, her former successes paled in its
more etfulgent light.
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.
How charming you are looking, Miss
Cassilis" he had said
And all in vain she had watched for
tremor in his tone, or shade of embar
basement in his manner.
only a 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 was 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 TIE fast gath
ering darkness when through its sombre
shade she saw figure pass and mount the
steps.
"A visitor!" 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 the door,
uttered Colonel Hillier's 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. II have but
few moments to stay. lam come to bid
you goodbye, and toask you to wish me
bon royaOe."
Bon royage! You are going abroad?"
Eyes; sail on Saturday for India. I
hesitated about calling, but my desire to see
andacity in supposing my going u question
of enough moment to make it worth q spe-
cial call"
My friends arc always welcome, Colonel
Hitler" said Gwendoline, an icy feeling at
her heart. though she maintained an out
ward composure Il did not suppose it
necessary you should hear that repeated
now"
Morris it. 1t was only morbid fancy on
nay part which induced me to question it.
l shall come back, trust, with my mind
clearer. At least shall be some years old
er. When return presume shall look
for Miss Cassihs in vain, until find her in
some matron, equally charming. l cannot
imagine her quite staid and portly."
SO he could speak thus lightly of her be-
coming the wife Of another man! And he
was going away; she might never again
hear his voice or see his face. 7 was too
cruel!
He and Fate were too strong for her.
The tears had gathered the grey eyes, but
the darkness hid them.
He ratified on-she had no need to speak.
Then he rose to 90.
"Good-bye, Miss Cassilis!'-- he took her
hand in both his-"good bye! Go! bless
you"
Was it her fancy that, just at the last.
his voice trembled?
He 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 back
to her.
You called me? For what? To make
my going harder?'
ooh, is it hard? In mercy, tell me, for
my heart is breaking!"
Your heart breaking! Gwendoline, and
tuc ulau voice souuueu StlaHSe1y nodlse,
what does this mean?"
But the sound of her sobs was the only
answer.
Child" lie continued, ''can it be that
have judged you wrongly? Look up my dar-
ling! Is it your wish that should stay?"
Then she found her voice.
Il thought you did not love me enough"
she murmured; "but STAY will try to make
You love me more; or, if you must 90, take
me with YOU"
June had given place to January, and
warmth to cold; but where was GOODNESS
now was warmth, and the winter moon was
happier than the early June crescent-for
in Gwendoline's heart was the song of birds
and the fragrance of flowers, mingling with
the words which stole softly into her ear
while nesting in her lovers arms-the
words, my love-my wife,"