Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-12-20

Europe. 1t is so hard to say NO that
oue is in danger of saying Yes from
compassion. Love is so sweet that II
is difficult to refuse it; and then one has
a haunting fear Of some time needing
IT,
and a willlul waste makes woiul
want. What a pity Mr.. Denormandy
had not known your compassionate
temperament and taken some advan-
tage OF it !
DO you think so:'
No, l shouldn't want goddess TO
marry me from compassion
But this did not mend matters. Now
tha. there was everything to gain or
lose-now that the affair was assuming
a critical aspect, since the responsibility
of the crisis and the event were his-the
native umidity Of his character stepped
in 10 hinder him. Not that he abanS
doned his position at once; it had be-
come too much matter of habit for
him t. meet her at home and abroad on
terms OF intimacy, aud the habit WAS
too precious to be easily broken. Only
inch by iuch, and almost without his
own consent, he retreated from the
ground which be bad honestly won.
He invited her for no more lonely
pleasuIings on the river; if they went
together, II was with a crowd OF friends.
On one such excursion they became
detached from the others by some acci-
dent, and were left like shells forgotten
upon the sands; for, walking around
the bend of the beach where Il bluff hid
them from sight, with the wind blowing
the other way, they never saw nor
heard ther companions embark Tor
home, too busy with their own affairs
to remark the absence Of John and
Elinor. Who only understood the situa
ton when they turned back TO where
the boat had been moored aud found
the tents struck and the beach lonely
and deserted, except for some barefoot
ed children gathering drltgO)d. and a
flock of sand-birds daring the waves.
The afternoon was just melting into
the tender atmosphere Of early twilight,
when all things wear an unreal aspect
and half-guessed stars sift themselves
through the gloom, and tie radiance
from the neither half OF the spherc-
from the morning world seemed rua-
niRy o,er into this along the
brim Of the horizon. Far away a sail
pricke1 itself out against the hcaYel7
moment and was gone; a fishing craft
was dropping down over the bar, and
pleasuro-boat, bubblins over with song
and laughter, pushed its way toward
home. John shouted 20 them and
waved his hat, but She wludblew his
voice down his throa,, aud the GAY
party 0frevelers A.d on wings OF mirth.
What shall we do? How shall we
reach home ? asked Einor.
The gods help those who help them
selves said he. We sill ask these
gypsy children if there is not a boat o
be found. There Is no -hel;er on thi-
lonely beach.
But neither the children no. their
seniors party OF half.Sypsy folk wao
had encampsd on the sands to carry ct
the beach pums, aud a. sort OF ec'
nomcal method of spendlag the sun
mer at the seashore, with plenty OF fire.
wood at FIRST cost and birds tame il
chickeus-had anything but a leAky
sklff to offer. but who, with tse read'
hosritallty Of the dgellers in tents, -
yl,ed thcm to share the shelter 0: their
canvas roof; bat as the oars Of the skh
were broSen. aud Elinor's sl'7p Z vas
not At hand. 1t seemed Of little use.
Thus at lhelr wits euds they paced
the sands, upon which the waves e1-
croach,d more and moro, making green
hollows IN the moonlight when they
broke. and fringirg The lone line Of
coas, with spray like tansles OF pearls.
John leaned up IA cushion OF leach
crass. and they sal IL the pale light OF a
moou that was slowly dipping behind
the dunes, watching the great unnamed
monster shake IFS name at their very
feet. ami listening to Its cudleas da
capos. and thy wolder'dn # The SILVER
bridge. which the mnol beams threw
across the waller would bear them
home. and repeated love Lines from the
poets.
Tie mocu fell lower, and lel- TIE
world to starllgh; The wind bic"
freshly of the sea. EllnOr shivered.
Shall we accept the gypsics' invita-
lon. or walk to town.
How Gar is 1t, john ?
She called him john 1t seemed a
usw name as spoken by her.
1T is eight miles, Ehnor,oye marshy
E, aces aud rough ways
Let US Try it,
They Sc. out; but before they had
cone lali a mile on the beach her
strength failed her, and she exclaimed:
q am so tired! If one could only fl +!
At that moment he felt an almost
irresistible impulse to seize the hand
resting on his arm and cover 1t WIN
kis.e,: to Iold her in his arms then and
there. aud whisper, If you are tired,
darling. rest here, for love IS rest ana
blessedness supreme; aud love Sou.'
Rat The old haunting distrust REQUIRED (;
wiat # she should answer, Not here;
,our love j., not large enough Tor me-
,,Jossodoess enough. And while