Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1882-09-21


Now she only felt an unutterable
longing to look once more into the face
of her beloved, and horrible fear lest
death had marred that face beyond re-
cognizance. But, no; she would know
him in spite Of change. What could
alter him SO that her heart would not
leap at the sight of him?
4 y
When Mel Gordon, sore and hurt
beyond expression, had reached the
smoking-car, the first thing he touched
in his quest for the package of cigar
cites was something round like ring
He brought it out and stared at it a
second in wonder.
So she was bound to return it," he
said, with a strange lump in his throat,
and memory Of the night he had
slipped it on her white finger with
kiss. "Ahl perhaps I'm well out fit.
She has the deuce of a temper, and no
mistake. But she has a good, true
heart, if she is little intense. Idon't
believe / shall ever care for any one
else."
"Hullo, Nell why SO pensive, sweet
one ?"
Some one struck him heavily on the
shoulder, as only ones best friends feel
privileged to do.
so, Harry, I ought to know the
touch of your fairy-like fiipper. Have
you a porous plaster to apply to the
wound ?"
"Come home with me and see. Do
you recollect certain cards sent to you
a month ago? There Is Mrs. Harry
Osborn, and the sight of her is a balm
for all the ills that flesh is heir to.
I've bought jolly little cottage at
Linden, next stopping-place. Now is
your chance of having glimpse for
once in your life Of Eden"
1.-TWO souls with but one-'n
Yes, this is a privilege vouchsafed
to few. Come and stay with us to-
night, and then you will go and gnash
your teeth in despair"
"With ten thousand year could
manage love in cottage, too.'
"Well, here we arel Don't go on
this hot night. will go with you in
the morning.
Mel was in that mood when any
thing that would distract his thoughts
would be hailed with delight. He felt
that if he went on smoking and moping
in solitude he would go mad. He
must rally from the blow. Why should
he find every pleasure tasteless be-
cause one woman frowned?
You don't know the delights Of
Arcadia" said Harry, as they walked
up green lane. "Roses, and peaches
and cream. and an angel"
can angel with peaches and cream
is no doubt excellent" said Mel.
81 ate piece of an ice-cream Cupid
the other night at party. It was very
pink and perfect as regards the flesh
tints, and felt like cannibal."
Out from the bowery little cottage
came petite figure in diaphanous
robes of white with rose-colored RIB
bons of coral about the baby neck and
arms-a prattling, inane little crea-
ture-to whom Harry Osborn listened
as though she had been an oracleI
Mel thought with pang Of Elinor
and her warm enthusiasms, her frank
opinions, her independent thought.
The changefui face, not SO beautiful
save with the glow Of intellect that
illuminedit like "a light shining through
an alabaster vase. Those eyes so full
of honest purpose, eloquent mouth
like ga rosebud set in willful little
thorns" s"-but so sweet and tender-all
haunted him constantly. They sat
under the woodbines for the post-pran-
dial smoke, and he sighed involun-
tarily.
"Oh, ho,' cried Harry "envious,
eh p-go and do likewise"
q wish / couldl"
"Of course you couldn't find another
Cora; but. see here, believe you're in
love-
II am-b but, I've had sort Of mis-
understanding"
@'Oh come, old fellow-make it up.
That's nothing. Cora and have had
dozen tiffs. The reconciliation is the
best part. Put pride in your pocket,
my boy It will all come right"
Mel did not feel very hopeful, how
ever, as he stood that night by the
window, and kept a vigil like Elinor's
gazing out at that same pale silver
sickle Of the harvest moon.
He began to accuse himself. Why
had he not insisted that she should
have heard all? He should have had
no secrets from her. She only showed
a proper spirit in resenting his con-
ductl With these thoughts torment
ing him, it may be supposed that the
gray dawn found him haggard and
unrefreshed.
As he entered the breakfast-room,
Harry Osborn looked up from the
damp morning paper he held in his
hand.