Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1882-12-23

oell. why SnOulu Sne go OnI line
aim of her journey was defeated.
Alice Charlton, her dearest friend, was
passing through the city. She had
proposed spending the night with her,
to tell OF her engagement. All that
was over. Why should she go on ?
Like wounded animal she longed to
get back to her hole and bear her pain
alone.
The car stopped with a jerk. She
knew the station. She would get off
and be home in the shelter of her own
room in an hour. No sooner thought
than done. She was whirling back to
the Beachville hotel in a kind of mourn
full dream. Her head ached, and it
was agony to think. She wished there
was any way of turning a valve in the
brain, and shutting off tormenting
thoughts.
She did not gain her room I'M
challenged. A certain pink dress
floated near her, and a shrill voice
cried, "What 3! didn't you go to the
city" Then there was a vigilant
aunt to evade; but at last she had the
solace of finding herself alone She
sat down by the window and looked
out at the wide summer sky, and
wondered if the day would ever come
when she could bury this dead love
out of sight and forget it utterly.
The night was warm and fragrant, and
harvest moon threw silver ray
upon the waves. Lovers were stroll
ing on the beach, whispering those
nothings which to them seem so wise.
that
Never earth's philosophers
Traced with their golden pens
Truths half SO sage on the deathless page"
Elinor looked at them with a dull
PAIN at her heart. The slow, sad
hours ebbed away. A birds note sud-
denly pierced the darkness like cry.
Ellnor started, and looking out, saw
luminous pallor in the air as if light
was imprisoned somewhere. Then
slowly and silently
1.-The rosy streak, on oceans cheek,
Grew into the great sum-
All! here was a new day-a day
with all the light quenched, though the
sun might shine never so bravely!
There was a stir in the house
some one knocked and then, suddenly
a frightened, haggard little woman
entered in a blue cashmere wrapper
without collar or brooch. Mrs. Hanly
had not waited to apply the soft peach
bloom to her cheek, or to pin on the
lustrous locks of pale gold which were
considered so fetching" by the mas
culine portion of the guests.
"l-I-know you couldn't have
heard she gasped; "and it's so dread
full, you ought to know; but it's
really-very difficult for me to tell you,
while you glance at me as if-as if I'd
come to insult you," cried the little
woman, quite overcome by Elinor's
stern face.
Perhaps you will be good enough
to EXPLAIN" said Elinor, with all her
dignity.
"Oh! he was real friend, and would
have done so much! I shall never find
one like him." and the little woman
sobbed.
"What have 1 to do with your
friends ?" asked Elinor, scornfully.
"Why, good Lord, it's Mel p cried
Mrs. Hanly, mopping her eyes.
'Elinor's heart stood still, and every-
thing about her seemed to swing into
space with horrible rush and whirr.
Mel! what of him ?" she faltered
True, she had given him up. He was
to be nothing to her in the future; but
just now she felt that he was all all |
OF hope-all of happiness of Mfe
1.-The seven train last night met with
an accident-twenty lives lost, or so,
It's reported. l thought you ought to
know, but he may be saved. The worst
was the smoking-car-"
1.-The smOking-car." How noncha-
lantly she had dismissed him. Oh,
would to God she had died with him
81 don't mind telling you, as you're
engaged, how good he's been to me-"
said Mrs. Hanly. 81 am not widow
my husband is in prison." with sob
Gin prison for forgery. l did not want
20 publish that fact here you know.
And Neil took up my case he had
hopes OF getting poor Dick out. Oh,
What shall l do?" A sharper pang
han all that had gone before smote
Elinor to the heart. She had wronged
Ter lover, and perhaps he had gone be-
yond her sight forever, and she would
lever be able to say, Forgive me-"
" [ must go at once" she cried. 81
must know the worst"
81 understand the feeling" cried
Mrs. Hanly. 81 would go with you s
'ut for my little boy. God go with S
'ou, and may He grant" the rest {
vas extinguished in tears. t
Elinor lost no time. She was al
eady dressed, and in few moments
vas pacing the little platform. Last t
light she had walked there with a
perfect storm of rage, jealousy and
wounded self-love laying waste all the
pleasant memories of love in her heart.
Now she only felt an unutterable :
onglng to look once more into the face
It her beloved, and a horrible fear lest t
leath had marred that face beyond re- t
ognizance. But, no; she would know S
i'm in spite of change. What could
tier him so that her heart would not
cap at the sight of him? {
X X X X X i
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