New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-23

seemed good deal struck by my Impotence 70 Dc
gone ana expressed her surprise that dld not stay,
il only for the chance of seeing Florence ueloe sne
Do you think" cried l. q that could say good
by to my darling, who leaves with mlsglVlhg tna'
we may never meet again. SOPHIE, could not con-
troll nyself-the trial would be too much LOT ne.
No tell her. should you meet, why hurried away;
and, above all, let me have whatever she desires ne
to remember her by when you get it," ,,
Whether this satisfied Sophie did not trouble
myself to find out. knew that whatever mlghi De
her thoughts should right myself wit b her whep
she came to hear that had sailed with Florence III
the Strathmore and meanwhile my business was 10
keep my plan secret so before leaving my relatons
] told my uncle not to expect to see me ~ CiIton
again, as the obligation to play hyp0crllcal paII
was altogether too hard and felt thst eSey s s,ac
tomato faithful nature.
All right my boy, do as you please" sad he
but hope you'll send us a letter from GraVesehd
to let us know you're gone"
Certainly" | answered.
"And, on reflection" he continued, 81 think you
had better address your letter TO me- telling me your
motive in going. and 80 on, as though knew noun
ing abOut it, 1t will be something for ne TO nOuflsn
before old Hawke should he trouble me: and 1t Will
throw your aunt of the scent, for don't want her
to know that was all along IN your confidence"
This | promised To be sure to do and tA.n as we
were alone babe him good-by, for unless he came
to see me in London should not meet again be-
fore sailed. had never said farewell to my father
when | started voyage with more emo
ton than l felt as l held my my v antle :
came, between u.s. to no more than brle1
God bless vOup Nevertheless | had to lmgcr
awhile to recover myself before seeking my aunt
and cousins; and though there was little apparent
significance in my manner as ! took my leaVe vi
them, ! assure yOu 1t bitter wrench to say
go0d-by to Sophie lightly, though we were to see
each other soon, when, could have had my way,
] should have Rugged her aud told her we might not
meet for months and perhaps years ana thanked
her again and yet again for all that she had
done for me- Tor all she would like to do for me- Tor
her loyal good wishes and sisterly pride in me.
And now having got back TO London nothing re-
l.,,t III. al Srnph
quiTcd for the voyage and wait for the 2Sth OF the
month to arrive. | had not many arrangements to
make; indeed. the list was completed when ! had
bought Il good box upon which | had john Eyer
ton painted, and put my clothes and purchases IN
IL, and when had given notice of my intention 10
quit my lodgings to the landlady And note here:
II took me half an hour To persuade the woman
that | in earnest and was bound To the Other
end of the world. was much part of her
house that she had come 10 look upon me as she dd
her front door and staircase, and when NJ last she
understood that WAS IN earnest, ANA really gong
she sat down upon the iioor and wept there.
1t WAS on this day that the post brought me a
small parcel. which ON opening, found 10 contain
"a little square box and letter. In the box WAS
locket with "A WIsp of gold-brOwn hair cOlled up IN
IT, and the letter from Sophie, telling me that
the lockct WAS my swrcthtartS parting GIT. "
mtSy tell you," wrote SOPHIE. that Florence quite
implied she would have liked 10 give you tins her
self. by which you mny Judge she Is not niue diS,
appointed and, perhaps. Pdn,d by what had to call
your ncapaclty 20 bid her good-by. however II
She understands your reason aud You are satisfied,
1t Is not Tor me 70 lecture you though may AS well
declare If were gong to Australia and my lover
had not the heart to say farewell to me, sh9ud
leave with the feeling that If chose To tall m love
with somebody else across the sea might do 50
safely"
This was a snub 10 my tremendous young SIN
ccrIty that set gaping 10 speak out; but re-
strained myself un rejecting that IN a tcW day both
size and Florence would know the TRUTH 80 that All
did was To ackuow ledge the receipt of the ockct
i'm "A few lines saying that my heart was too iul 10
write at length, aud that the only answer rouid
r.turu IA her reference To my Incapacty to say
gond-by To Florence was 60 ask her 10 wait uutl my
darling girl como home, and then Judge whether |
had renamed stauch. and whether my behavior was
OF KIND to Justify Florence III falling IN love with
any body else.
This letter being posted, purchased ribbon Tor
the luckct and Ind the lttlr keepsake away under
my wdl,tcuat so proud aud happy IN the possession
of TIN. thing that cannot recall my delight with
out sorrow fully rejecting that before could ever
again enjoy pleasure 80 pure. my boyish heart must
u.turn 10 me- and must be loving my hrst love as
loved her then. when the morning ot me was
around and the shadows upon the dew leaned INTO
west.