The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-02-03


communion of two hearts, the solemn re-
sponsibilities incurred, were but secondary
considerations
Goodbye, my darlingr' he said, as
they parted, but when she added, "Untll
tomorrow" he answered neither yea nor
nay.
"To-morrow" the world knew that
Chester Thorley's ship had gone upon the
rocks. Many of his business associates
would have held out to him helping hand,
but firmly and kindly he refused every
offer
He wrote Marion few lines, recalling
to her mind the conversation OF the day
before, and releasing her from her vows to
him.
'If any good fortune comes to me" he
concluded, "you shall hear of it. If am
silent, you may know it is because my life
is wrapped in silence and shadow. Bless
you, darling, for the light you have cast
upon it 1t will be like looking back to
heaven. | dare not see you again-l test
ed my strength to its full yesterday. God
grant that some better man than | may win
YOU. To love you better is not within his
power. Nor must you think l blame you
that YOU shrank from sharing the new life
upon which enter. Flowers cannot live
without sunlight. Even as I spoke knew
your answer. l only wanted to be sure
that I made no mistake in interpreting the
best course for your happiness"
And then with few more warm, pas
sionate, living words of farewell, the letter
| closed.
Two years passed, and the little world
which had known Chester Thorley so well
knew him no more He had entirely dis
appeared. 1t were as though the sea had
opened and swallowed him up.
Marion Willoughby was Marion Will
loughby still If she suffered she made no
sign; but those who had seen the one spark
ling stone, which had been the pledge of
her engagement to Chester Thorley, no
ticed that she wore it still, and others, yet
more narrow watchers, observed that al
ways, when she entered crowded room,
she would take hasty glance about as
though expecting to find some one not
there
She was as yet but twenty-five, belle
and beauty still. The third winter Of
his absence she went west to spend several
weeks with an aunt.
II can not spare you" her father had
said, when the invitation came.
But she, going close to him, and laying
her head a moment on his breast, had said:
II think, papa, it would be best"
They were simple words, but he inter-
preted them Alright. The old wound would
not cease its bleeding. She wanted to go
amid new scenes, so he only kissed her, and
bade her remember that the old father
awaited her return.
''You have not been through the steel
works" some one said to her one day. at
really is a most interesting sight. Will
you join party. if we make up one to visit
them, Miss Willoughby?"
"With pleasure" she answered lightly.
And her aunt, charmed with the success
of her beautiful niece, smiled at Clay Clay
tons numerous devices to ensnare Marion's
society,
He was the great porti of the place.
She had heard something of some early
disappointment in Marion's life. 1t would
be splendid triumph thus to obliterate it,
and already she felt quite sure that the fiat
lay in the girls own hands.
The morning appointed for the expedi-
ton dawned beautiful and bright They
seemed indeed like drones, intruding upon
some busy hive of workers, as they entered
the great building and looked about them
Department after department they visited,
watching with interest the delicate, subtle
machinery and its wonderful working.
Marion's cheek flushed with interest,
and Clay Clayton, noting it, thought he
never had seen her look so beautiful
To-day he determined he must speak,
when suddenly he heard a little cry and
glancing up, saw her standing quite apart
from the group, her eyes ablaze, her lips
quivering.
At little distance from her, adjusting
some pieces of machinery, was man in a
workman's blouse. Her cry also attracted
him, and he looked up.
Their eyes met His face grew deathly
pale, but he gave no other sign of recogni-
ton. She went straight toward him, OBJ
livious of all, with hand outstretched.
''Chester p she said, in voice scarce
louder than a whisper. "At last
He bowed low IN response, and took no
notice of her hand; but the DID, dauntless
pride was in the uplfted head and fearless
glance,
did you know that l was here? she
questioned.
NO. he replied; II am no longer in
your world"
"You will come to see me?
II cannot"
Here his voice broke little.
"Mr. Clayton" she said, 'let me present
my friend, Mr., Thorley.'
Spite of the innate breeding of the man,
some of the instructive surprise at hearing
steel worker addressed by Miss Willough-
| by as friend. made itself apparent in the