Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-06-01
FUN
He Had Loved Another !!

Tie up the dog"
The tender gray twilight of June even
ing was settling down upon the earth as
Natalie Mcintosh spoke these words. and
as she threw light shawl over her pretty
white shoulders, whose rounded curves
and soft flesh tints contrasted SO well
with the brilliant colors of the garment,
and stepped out up the lawn. whore the
rearing their heads alongside the velvety
green Of the close-trimmed grass plot that
stretched away to the westward, the pic
tuEe was indeed pretty one. Passing
through the flower beds and down the
grayelled walk until she came to clump
of willows, whose light branches were Just
stirred by the whisper Of the night that
came from the south, the girl paused and
stood there peeriDg wistfully into the
cleaning. Brushing away with her dim
pied hand the fluffy mass of golden hair
that the signing wind had blown over her
white forehead, Natalie drew the shawl
more closely about her and sat down on
little rustic bench, whose cosey look
made it fit place indeed for loves tryst
and vigil.
Presently George W. Simpson entered
the gate, and was soon by her side. For
AZ instant no word was spoken between
them, and as they stood there. her arms
about his neck, her head upon his should-
er, Natalie felt that without the love OF
this mani her life would be starless blank.
Here was deep, trusting, If the-rope-
breaks we-are-gone love that made he,
voice falter and die away when she spoke
to George about it, and yet back Of it all
there was ever nameless fear, vague
terror, that seemed to rise like black pail
ffom ont the mystic dreamland that Was
part Of her very nature, and tinged the
brightest and happiest moments OF hel
life with sense OF melancholy.
You love me 2' she asked looking up
to George with eyes in which there shone
the radiance Of a tender, beautiful pas.
sion ''iove me better than all the world
besides; better than you have ever loved
any one in your whole life 7"
George did not answer, for as Natalie
spoke there came to him haunting mem.
Org of DARK, splend id eyes, a bright face.
smiling and radiant, and dimpled, and
dewy, scarlet lips that had often met his
own in sweet, clingiLg, don 't-let-go-if-you-
value your-life kisses. He thought Of ali
tins rs he bent tenderly over Natalie, her
golden hair touching his cheek, and the
perfume from the lilies she wore mingling
with his breath.
The girl noticed his silence. "Why do
you not answer me ?" shs said.
George did not reply, but, drawing her
still closer to him, would have kissed her
again.
Il want no kisses" she exc laimed, pas
sisnately, withdrawing herself from his
arms, "from lips that are not sacred to me
alone. I have given you ali that a woman
can give-the love of her whole nature
My heart has been Lutte for you to play
upon, my whole existence constant striv-
ting to make my love for you a holy, and
UpAhGlAuAs ou0 pukC OHos HUI yOuT sake
have looked remuneration in the face with
fearless eyes, have given up much that is
dear to me, and vet when ask you il you
love me there comes no answer from your
Aps. and your eyes do not look into mine;;"
and, drawing herself up in the imperious
whoa Emma way that befitted her 80 we'll,
she sat down on the rustic bench with
dull, sickeniDg thud that told too plainly
III 9 broken hustle.
In an instant George was by her side
aud Natalie was sobblng as if her heart
would break. Forgive me, darling.'' he
mGrmured in low, book beer tones.
81 do" Natalie replied ''but tell me,
sweetheart, tell me truly, did you ever.
!oved another p
.'Do not ask me that, !" said George.
but demand an answer" exclaimed
the girl passionately, land again ask you
If you ever loved another"
II did," he replies. Loved her wildly,
madly.''
"Who was it ?" she asks. her cheeks
aflame with the hot flush Of anger
Bending low over Der, George whispers
into her left ears the fatal words. Lydia
finkham !" and with hollow. mocking
laugh fees into the darkness.-C Chicago
Trih7tnA =.