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

Strange that she thought so persist
emily of one evening on the sands,
when the waves seemed to have learned
a new song and the whole universe
had been set to new music, and two
lines from familiar poem kept echo.
ing in her mind, and the car rushed
on:
Many an evening by the seashore did we
watch the stately ships,
And our spirits rushed together at the touch
ing of the lips"
Suddenly she began to question her
self. Why should she go on? The
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 kind of mourn
full dream. Her head ached, and it
was agony to think. She wished there
was any way of turning valve in the
brain, and shutting off tormenting
thoughts.
She did not gain her room un-
challenged. A certain pink dress
fioated near her, and a shrill voice
cried, "Whatl 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 dull
pain at her heart. The slow, sad
hours ebbed away. A birds note sud-
denly pierced the darkness like cry.
Elinor started, and looking out, saw a
luminous pallor in the air as if light
was imprisoned somewhere. Then
slowly and silently
aThe rosy streak. on oceans cheek,
Grew into the great sum-"
Ali here was a new day-a day
with all the light quenched, though the
sun might shine never SO brayelyl
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
culineportion of the guests.
LI-know you couldn't have
heard" she gasped; /" and it's so dread
full, you ought to know; but it's
reaIly-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.
"Ohl he was real friend, and would
have done so muchl I shall never find
one like him. and the little woman
sobbed.
What have / to do with your
friends ?" asked Elinor, scornfully.
"Why, good Lord, it's Mel Y cried
Mrs. Hanly, mopping her eyes.
Elinor's heart stood still, and every
thing about her seemed to swing into
space with a horrible rush and whirr
"Niell 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-al of happiness all of life
"The seven train last night met with
an accident twenty lives lost, or So
it's reported. | thought you ought te
know, but he may besaved. The worst
was the smoking-car /"
:" The smoking-car." How noncha-
lantly she had dismissed him. Oh
would to God she had died with him
don't mind telling you, as you're
engaged, how good he's been to me-
said Mrs. Hanly. 6 am not widow
my husband is in prison. with a sob
-"in prison for forgery. I did not want
to publish that fact here you know
And Neil took up my case; he had
hopes of getting poor Dick out. Oh
what shall / do?" A sharper pang
than all that had gone before smote
Elinor to the heart. She had wronged
her lover, and perhaps he had gone be
yond her sight forever, and she would
never be able to say, I" Forgive me-