The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-06-10
[Chicago Tribune.l
The Seal-Skin Coat.
And the Change it Wrought in the Love
of Constance Nc Murray
II nrithea do not go.

81 prithee do not CO."
Reginald Mulcahey turned as these words,
spoken in tones that were tenderly thrilling,
fell upon his good right ear. and advanced
slowly up the plank sidewalk that led from
the portcullis to the front steps of the terraced
castle of Ethelbert McMurray, Eighth Duke of
Blue Island Avenue.
81 thought you would speak to me, Lady
Constance" he said, to tall, shapely maiden
of nineteen summers who stood on the veran-
da of the castle. II thought you could not
send me away forever without one word of
hope-one little, tiny, Democratc-vote-in -Iowa
hope. know full well that in the dreary,
dismal, New York Post editorial future, which
rises up before me like black winged spectre
of the night, there can be Haught in my life
but desolate days. whose hours shall pass with
leaden feet, and black, bitter nights, when /
shall toss around recklessy in poker game,
thinking only of the love that has gone from
me forever. We may never meet again, Con-
stance-probably never shall, unless I begin
going to the matinees-but / should like to
feel that, although you can never love me
again, never let me buy candy for you, there
is still in your heart kindly feeling, tinge
of pity, for one to whom your sweet face has
for many, many years-way back before the
Whitestockipgs won the championship-been
beacon-lghtto guide him safely DER the wind
swept sea of the North Side life. Am I hop
ing for too much?" And the beautiful brown
eyes that had witched SO many hearts from be-
hind the ribbon counter looked into those of
Constance McMurray with wistful, pleading,
don't-untie-the- dog-if-you-love-me look that
would have melted a heart of Chicago beef
steak.
For an instant the girl did not reply. A look
of pain, as if some sad memory had been re-
called by Reginald's words, or corset steel
got loose. passed over her face, and then, re-
gaining her composure by mighty effort, she
placed a tiny gloyed hand on the young mans
shoulder and spoke in low, measured tones
that showed, far more than could any words,
the terrible intensity of the agony that this
separation vas causing her.
"For two years, Reginald" she said, ~
have loved you with deep, passionate, all
absorbing love that would make your head
swim if you only knew about it. I have looked
forward with pride and joy in my girlish inno-
cence and enthusiasm to the day when you
should lead me to the nuptial altar and crown
the sweet spring-time Of my life with the gol-
den glory of love that should last forever.
/ had whispered to myself that 1 should make
you faithful, loving, Observation-Disclosures
in-time wife. There has come to me often
vision of happy home, where / should pass
my days in happiness and stocking mending.
But the vision has gone, the beautiful blue
sky with it's fringe OF rose-tinted clouds has
nassed away, and in its place see an angry
armament, across which drift the lesden
clouds of despair And SO 1t is better that we
should part now, before supper, and Jet the
dead past be its own undertaken"
Reginald saw that all hope was gone that
he was certain to be left on third base. "Good-
by, Constance he murmured II must 60
now, because l want TO stop on my way over
town and buy my sister seslskin sacque."
The girl turned quickly, and looked at him
earnestly. "Do you mean what you say?" she
asked in hoarse, anxious tones.
81 do" was the reply.
"And would you buy your wife a sealskin
sacque?"
"Certainly," said Reginald, two of them if
she liked"
A happy smile spread over the girls face.
Twining her arms around Reginald's neck, she
placed her tiny head on his shoulder, and then
the little rosebud mouth puckered up with a
sweet, beatifc pncker, as she said in tsnder
tones:
"You may call again this evening. Heaven
intended us for each other"