Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-08-18
RETURNING TO FIRST LOVE.

been pressed unencouraged on the
proud beauty whose scorn had inflicted
so cruel sting
- But almost from the first hour of his
meeting Camilla Cabell, he had been led
on by smiles, looks and words which one
of far less sanguine temper might well
have interpreted as invitations held out
to hope.
When Richard Harling, at the end ..oi
ayear's clerking in the city, returned to
spend his first vacation in his native vii
lage, and was welcomed by Mrs. Ellis
ton, with whom he bad made his home
after his mothers death, to his old quar-
ters, which in anticipation @!
his coming, she had held vsliantiy
igainst the invading army of summer
ooarders that annually beset her. he
felt glow of pleasure that was not lit
tie heightened when pretty Pe@be El-
A liston with the addition year makes to
budding maiden's charms, and with a
face covered with smiles aad ablushes,
came to add her own to her aunts greet
ing.
Richard and Phoebe had begun by
playing as brother and sister; ana it was
not till the time of separation came that
either awoke to the consciousness Dfany
different feeling. But that morning
when Richard kissed her cheek and
with a choking voice uttered the 1Slter-
ing "good-Dy," to which she could re-
turn no audible answer, and when, With
tear-dimmed eyes, she watched him put
of sight, and then locked herself in her
room and gave way to an uncomfortable
outburst of passionate grief, Phoebe
knew sstshe could better have borne the
departure of a hundred brothers to try
their fortune in the great city. And
Richard, as he looked back and caught
the last glimpse of Phoebe as the stage
turned the curve which lost her to his
sight, became painfully aware how much
more precious than many sisters was
she thus left behind.
Now that the two were together
once more, it is not likely that mutual
explanations would have been long de-
layed, but for the appearance Of another
actor on the scene, This actor-or ac-
tress to speak more precisely-was
Miss Camilla Cabell, dazzling beauty
and one of Mrs. Elliston's boarders,
whose splendor burst suddenly on Rich
ard as they met at tea the first evening
and were introduced across the table.
From that time Richard had eyes for
HOtuluS elSS. AS tllS iulIu luSLSI vi tile
morning star pales in the binding glare
of the risen sun, so were Phe0e's mod
est charms eclipsed i'll the presence OF
the goddess-li Camilla, of whom Rich
ard was now the newest worshiper.
lie did not quite forget Phoebe in the
intoxication of his new enchantment
At times the old tender thoughts would
obtrude themselves But, then, he had
nothing wherewith to reproach his con-
science. He had never made love to
4 Phoebe and had no reason to suspect
that she looked upon him with other
than a sisters eyes. His own were too
dazed to notice the sad look III hers, as
dav by day she saw him fluttering, like
a doomed insect. in circles narrower and
narrower, about the treacherous flame.
At last the critical moment came, and
the giddy insect met its fate. To drop
figure, Richard Harliag offered his hand
to Miss Cabell and got laughed at tor his
pains.
That evening he went out for walk.
his head was hot, and he felt that the
cool air would do him good. For long
time he walked on and on, and thought
and thought; and the more he thought,
the more clearly he began to see that
his pride was more severely wounded
than his heart He was like one reused
from an enchanted dream.
The glittering unreality had passed. but
everything worth living for had not like
wise vanished. There was Phebe-she
came very wildly before his memory
now-the world, with such an object in
it. could hardly be called d desert. Had,
he addressed to her the words he had
that day spoken to Camilla, would she
have answered them with scornful laugh
ter? Even if constrained to reject his
offer, would she not have sought to
soothe rather than aggravate the
pain.
"Foolr" he exclaimed, stopping and
turning to retrace his steps.
The last shadow of the spell had dis
appeared, and with the single word just
uttered he passed judgment on his re-
cent conduct.
It was already growing dark, and Rich
ard was hurrying along at a rapid pace,
when the sound of voices ahead arrested
his attention.
Come, miss, your money, and no
noise about it," growled a gruf, coarse
voice.
A terrible shrek caused Richard to
dash forward at his utmost speed; and
soon, in the dim twilight, he saw a fe-
male of slight girlish form struggling
with man who easily held both her
WTlSLS CIuICuSu III OAc Vi Ills lduNS.
"I'll soon stop your screechin!' eX-
claimed the ruffian, with an oath, rails
ing his disencumbered hand. Richards
eye caught the CLEAN of knife poised
above the victims head; but before il
had time to descend, he sprang between
her and her assalianc, receiving the
murderous stroke in his own breast, but
at the same time dealing the assassin a
stunning blow that sent him staggering
back, after which he fed under cover
of the darkness.
Richard as vet unconscious of serious
injury, turned to assist the lady who
stood trembling with terror.
Both started with surprise; and Rich
ard felt thrill of pleasure as his eyes
fell on the face of Phoebe Elliston!
81 trust Oh are quite unframed" he
said eagerly.
eyes, thanks to your timely and
brave, deliverance;" she answered, la
king his proffered arm; and thus they
started homeward.
Phebe's account of her adventure was
soon given. She was returning late
from visit to a neighbor's, when a
man, most likely one of the numerous
tramps prowling in the neighborhood,
suddenly appeared In her path and as
sailed her as we have seen.
"But what's that~ she asked in star
tied voice. at the conclusion of her mar
rative, she felt something warm trick
ling down upon her hand from Rich
ards breast.
She held up her hand quickly. 1t was
still light enough to enable her to see
that it was deeply stained with blood.
"Merciful heaven" she cried in an
agony of terror, "You are wounded
perhaps fatally and yet in the selfish
ness of Joy at my own deliverance, | for
got to ask if you, too, were unhurt?"
,'I think it but triae," he answered,
to re- assure her; but the feebleness of
his tone and his lettering steps reused
Ph9be's worst apprehensions.
With woman's tlmidity, she pos
sessed all woman's courage. 1t was
she who lent a supporting arm. and
none too soon, for Richard was growing
fainter at every step.
Fortunately they had not far to GO;