Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-11-02

color slowing rising in the clear, fair
cheek of the woman he had loved and
! lost, until deep. rich crimson dyed
the lovely face from forehead TO chin.
Then he raised his hat, with a slight
smile of triumph, and turning abrupt
ly on his heel vanished from Esmc's
sight before the Judge had even with
drawn his cOntcntcd, admiTing gaze
from the magnificent panorama spread
out before them.
Esmcralda did not mention her mo-
mcntary vision of her old lover. but
the carnation roses glowcd in her
check long aftcrward, and dreams
which she thought dead and almost
buried out of sight game to light again
with startling yiyidncss, and she knew
that she had never ceased to love Ar
Singleton. and never should until her
dying day
What did that strange expression In
his eyes mean when he looked at her
just nowE There was the same look
which she had once thought was love
in those delightful days when they
wandered together by the summer sea;
and the same half-mocking light which
hal so often marred the manly beauty
Of his count"Eancr. only both were
now intensified. Yet il he had loved
her then, why had he gone of so sud
denly without word of explanation
or FAREWELL
But while Esmc was thus pulling
her brain over a problem which had
often troubled her. the Judge was hap.
PLY unconscious that anything had oo-
CURED to disturb his fair companions
tranquility. Therefore, when he almost
ran over my hero that same evening
in turning street corner. he was hon
cstly glad to see him. and almost over
whclmcd poor All with the hcartincss
Of his greeting.
What torture is there imposed upon
man 10y the requirements of c.yIlity
comparable to that which forces him
to congratulate a successful rival upon
the winning Of that which was Ia"
object Of his own dearest hopes; This
was the ordeal poor All had TO 90
through, and his manner was very
cold and constrained as he did So.
"Ycs, my boy" said the judge
bcaming like sunshine upon his
wrctchcd listener, "G am happy man.
Ny wife is one Of the loyclicst Of
women, and belongs to one Of the
finest old families in this placc-thc
Rucs. But | believe YOU know them"
Il had the honor of Miss Esmc's
acquaintance last summer at Cape
May" said Ar, trying to speak nat
urally.
"Ah, yes. young dog" said tn
Judge, shaking his curly old head at
All with his brightest smile "Ioncc
thought there WAS very promising
love affair going on in that quarter.
butt was an old fool just thon-in
love myself. and fancying that every
body else was. But come round tptho
coloncl's and well talk over old times.
Singleton. Esmc will be delighted to
meet You again. I'm sure" And the
Judge moved off. scattering smilcs Of
sunshine As he went.
lie hit the mark that time
thought Az as he walked back 90 his
hotel, moodily resolving to leave the
town by that evenings train. There
is no fool like an old fool lie fondly
believes that Esmc Rue married him
for love, while | know that it was only
for his money. If he had seen the
way she hlushed to-day at the mere
sight Of her old lover he would hardly
have invited me around 10 talk over
cid times with his wife. An old fool.
indeed, pity him, with all his wealth.
But I'm not quite villain enough to
accept his invitation. No, I'll pack my
valise once more, and see If | can find
spot where I shall not he tormcntcd
by the sight of that old simpleton's
happiness"
Alf kept his word, and two hours
later, valise in hand, was walking
firmly toward the depot whence the
coming train would soon bear him
from Esmeralda's too fascinating
neighborhood.
1t was not strictly necessary that he
should pass her home on his way to the
depot, but that was one temptation
which he found it impossible TO re-