Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1883-12-18
A Lakeside Muaing.
tchIcaso Tribune.l

w. Perkins was sharply outlined
against Vivian McNulty's left ear as
hc stood that beautiful June evening
In the doorway Of Brierton villa
hoping against hope, and praying
that something--he knew or cared
not what-might occur to sweep
from the horizon of his life the aw-
full sorrow that was hanging over it
like pall--a sorrow that would
make every day an con Of misery,
every word Of JOY that others might
utter knell of despair.
They had quarrelIed. these two
they who 10 the beautiful days Of
autumn, when the leaves were turn
ing golden, when the hills were
crowned with amber light aud the
valleys seemed like huge cups brim-
ming over with purple haze, aud
when the bottlng record was low
cred to 2;0Sh, had plighted their
troth so willingly and yet so solemn
~, thinking, and rightly, too, that
this blending forever Of two hearts
was a solemn, holy act, one that
should ever be looked back upou In
silent gratitude-and now they were
TO part forever, take separate paths
ON the cvcntful journey Of life-.h It
journey which they had hoped by
constant companionship and endur-
ing love 10 make one of ceaseless JOY
aud sweet content. But now all'was
changed, aud tho rosetipted future
which they had often pictured 10
themselves and talked about IN the
calm hopcfulness that only young
man on s75 a month, and u pure, pas
sionless girl who can eat the bottom
crust ofa pie without culver can
resume had passed away forever, and
IN lis place there was yawning
chash OF despair and grief.
II can not marry you," Esmerelda
had said TO him that night as he en-.
tered the house, and then, having ut.
tered the cruel words which she had
been schooling herself all the day to
say, and seeing how they had pierced
like dagger that brave and manly
heart, size had thrown herself into
his arms, and as her white face, down
which the tears were streaming, lay
upon his heart, Vivian McNulty
knew that the words which Esme.
zelda had spoken did not come from
her heart-knew that some terrible
mystery was enshrouding both their
lives In lis darksome folds. And as
he held her sobbingin his arms, the
light from the chandeliers above
them streamed down In golden radi.
ance upon the broad, white brow
from which the fair hair waved
away, fell across the long, strangely
dark eyelashes, giving just a CLEAN
OF the beautiful blue eyes beneath
acr.ss the sweet red mouth quiver
ing like a grieved child. Then as h,
bent forward tenderly to kiss ava!
the tears, the girl had drawn back
not In anger, but with an expression
Of unutterable pain on her face, ant
spoke tho three words with whicl
this chapter opens; 49,
"Good-by McNulty.'
For an instant the man could no
reply. lie had not felt such shoe
since meeting his father In the gidd,
whirl of q poker game and goin
home with nothing but a contrit
heart aud a lead pencil TO show 70
his months wages. lie still held Els
merelda's hand in his and the gin
was looking up to him with eye
that were fearless now, but in thel
depths there was q look of froze
horror, and my-bustle- has got-loos
expression, that pierced his very sou
And when he asked for an OK
planation of her words, not demand
cd It as right, but pleaded for 1t
q favor-she had only shifted uneasil
onto the other foot and burst into
storm Of sobs.
"I can only tell you" she murmure
when finally his agonized entreati
had moved her to speech, "that oil
marriage would render your life ol
: of constant misery /; that 1t was bett
h that we should part now than cor
0 init an error which eternity alol
could efface. You win never kno
how love you, vivian--never kno
the dreadful agony that this separ
tion is causing me. God knows
would greet death with smiling ia
and outstretched arms to-morro'
now that you are lost to me forev'
for what Is life without your 10y
j and presence and kisses but an u
J. ceaslng tortures III loved you lc
Y il your love were not enshrined
: my heart as something to be VIC
shipped eyermorc, would not ia
this step. II was wrong, very wro
G Iknow, to allow this love to ov'
master my whole being. but II Is b
tor to wreck ono life than two, q
SO I say again, Goodbye "a
: lifting hcr pure, sweet face to !
n Esmerclda kissed him gently on
= lips and turned to go.