The Republican journal., 1883-01-11
He Bluffed and Won.
81 prithee do not gO.v

Reginald Mulcahey turned as these
words, spoken in tones that were tender
ly thrilling, fell upon his good right ear,
and advanced slowly up the plank side
walk that led from the portcullus to the
| front steps of the terraced castle of Eth
Gilbert McMurty, eighth duke of Blue Is
land avenue.
81 thought you would speak to me-
Lady Constance" he said, to tall,
shapely maiden Of nineteen summers, who
stood on the veranda Of the castle. II
| thought you could not send me away for
ever without one word of hope-one little
tiny, democratic 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 naught
in my life but desolate days whose hours
shall pass with leaden feet, and black
| bitter nights when shall toss around in
| poker game, thinking only Of the love
| that has gone from me forever. We may
never meet again, Constance-probably
never shall, unless | begin going to the
matinees-b | 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 a kindly feeling, a tinge
of pity, for one to whom your sweet face
has for many, many years-way back be
fore the White Stockings won the cham
| plonship-been beacon light to guide
him DER the wind swept sea of North
Side life. Am | hoping for too much ~
and the beautiful brown eyes that had
Witched so many hearts from behind the
ribbon counter looked into those of Con
stance McMurty with a wistfu, pleading
| don't unite the dog if-you love me look
| that would have melted heart of Chi
cago beetsteak.
For an instant the girl did not reply.
A look of pain, as if some sad memory
had been recalled by Reginald's words,
or corset steel got loose, passed over
her face, and then, regaining her COM
posure 10y a mighty effort she placed a
tiny gloved 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 was causing
| her.
For two years, Reginald" she said,
81 have loved you with deep, passion
ate love that would make your head swim
| if You only knew about it. | have looked
forward with pride and joy in my girlsh
| innocence 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 golden glory of a love
| that should last forever. | had whispe +
ed to myself that | should make YOU a
faithful, loving, always have breakfast
| in-time wife. There has come to me
often vision of happy home, where |
should spend my days in happiness and
stocking mending. But the vision has
gone, the beautiful blue sky with its
fringe OF ose-tinted clouds has passed
away and in its place see an angry
armament, across which drift the leaden
clouds of despair. And so it is better
that we should part now, before supper
and let the dead past be its own under
dertaker.'
Reginald saw that all hope was gone,
that he was certain to be left Oh third
base "Good bye, Constance" be mar
INJURED. II must 60 now, because | want
to stop Oh my way over town and buy my
sister sealskin sacque."
The girl turned quickly and looked at
him earnestly. "Do you mean what you
say y she asked, in hoarse, anxious tones
Il do was the reply.
''And would you bpy your wife a seal
skin sacque y
''Certainly," said Reginald; 1.-TWO of
them if she liked"
y happy smile spread over the girls
face. Twining her arms around Regi
maids neck, she placed her tiny head on
bis shoulder, and then the little rosebud
mouth puckered up with a sweet, beatifc
pucker, as she said in tender tones:
You may call again this evening
Heaven intended us for each other.
Chicago Tribune.