Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1882-11-25

NlIeu Cnem 10 snare Jne shelter OF their
canvas roof; but as the oars of the
skiff were broken, and Elinor's slipper
was not at hand, it seemed Of little use
Thus at their wits ends they paced
the sands, upon which the waves en-
croached more and more, making
green hollows in the moonlight when
they broke, and fringing the lone line
of coast with spray like tangles Of
pearls. John heaped up cushion of
beach grass, and they sat in the pale
light Of a moon that was slowly dip
ping behind the dunes, watching the
great untamed monster shake its name
at their very feet, and listening to its
endless da capos, and they wondered if
the silver bridge which the moonbeams
threw across the water would bear
them home. and repeated love lines
from the poets.
The moon fell lower, and left
the world to starlight !; the wind blew
freshly off the sea. Elinor shivered.
"Shall we accept the gypsies' invita-
ton, or walk to town ?"
"How far is it, John?r
She called him "John." It seemed
new name as spoken by her.
cit is eight miles, Elinor, over
marshy places and rough ways"
LET us try it."
They set out but before they had
gone half mile on the beach her
strength failed her, and she ex-
claimed:
al am so tired If one could only
fyP'
At that moment he felt an almost
irresistible impulse to seize the hand
resting on his arm and cover it with
kisses to fold her in his arms then
and there, and whisper, eff you are
tired, darling, rest here, for love is rest
and blessedness supreme; and 1 love
you" But the old haunting distrust
recurred what if she should answer,
" Not here; your love is not large
enough for me, not blessedness enough"
And while he hesitated and doubted
and half believed, boat shot along
the shore and buried its keel in the
sand.
They sailed up the wide river and
watched the lighthouse send its flame
far out on the waters, and met the
wraith-like forms of ships at the
wharves, silent as ghosts, the town
lights like jack-o-lanterns, and the
tide settling round the piers; and when
they reached home and he left Elinor
at her fathers door. the clocks were
striking midnight, and startled robin
in the elm tree overhead was trilling
sleepy note.
But fortune was not to be severe
with John for one neglect Of oppor-
tunity and meant to offer him greater
inducements and more tempting
chances. Elinor's father awoke one
morning and found himself bankrupt.
Somewhat later John went to pur-
chase pair of new gloves, in which
to worthily pay his respects to his love,
when who should step forth behind
the counter to wait upon him but Eli
nor herself!
"You, Elinor! Thinking of angels
you hear the rustic of their wings"
1.-THE wheel of fortune has made
revolution, you see," was the reply,
"and here 1 am. Not crushed by it,
though"
"That is well. For 'man is man
and master of his fate"
AZ don't think it means women,
though" said she. What can / do
for you? am at your service.
Gloves ?"
Eyes. Are you goin to Mr.. Swell's
tomorrow night ?"
"Am going9 The Swells have for
gotten my existence. ] have gone
under, so far as they are concerned"
Indeedl was looking forward to
meeting you there"
. "And you meet me here instead"
she sadly responded.
"But if you are not to be there,
shall not care to CO."
"Thank you; but should be sorry
to deprive you of pleasure"
"Should your" You asked me Just
now what you could do for me? Shall
/ tell you?' leaning over the counter.
Yes, you may tell me"
His eyes held hers, intense with
meaning; his lips trembled with the
burden of his heart; all his desire was
leaping up and shaping itself into ten
der words. What was it that stayed
them, caused them to falter into com
monplaces? What power locked the
eager lips upon the half-uttered secretp
Why did the intense eyes lose their
sweet significance?
You may stretch this pair Of