The Portland daily press., 1883-02-21
Parted Forever.


do not say that"
Very appealing was the wistful look that
Came from pair of deep brown eyes as ely
{ e Corcoran spoke these words in a low,
Strained, we-will-warrantthese- goods-not-to-
rip manner that told something Of the inten-
sity of her feelings
BERTHE Cecil stopped and kissed the pretty
red lips that were put up to him in half
pouting, half-loving fashion. They were to
be married in the fall, these two-the beau
tiful fall, when natures cheeks are tinted
with brown and red, when the amber maze
of Indian summer wreathes the millions and
the valleys seem but huge cups filled to the
brim with purple--ed wine. Clytie had told
BERTHE that night in June when she had
drawn him close to her sash, placed her
head upon his shoulder and whispered ten
DERBY the words that caused great ioy to
food his soul, that the wedding must not
take place until October, although he never
having previously gone over the rapids) was
eager for an early consummation of his hap.
piness. And now ne was waiting anxiouslv
and with an impatient heart for the dav
when Ciytie would be his own, and the rose
tinted hours hold nothing for him but her
love and her dear presence.
But amid all the perfect JOY that filled
their young lives there had come little
cloud, matter on which they could not
agree.
1t was this subject that had been under
discussion between them when the words
with which this chapter opens were spoken,
and had aancod Clufio tn
full look which she always kept in stock for
emergencies of this kind.
you will not change your mind?" she
asked.
"Never," replied BERTHE. "Not if it parts
us forever"
They were standing at the edge of the
lawn. Not tree or shrub broke the velvety
green plush of this reve ground of Titania;
but it was hedged in-dusky, broad-shoul-
dered horse chestnuts; slim coward poplars;
balm O. Gleads, with their cottony ebulli-
tons; the mountain ash. with its coronal of
scarlet berries; Norway spruces and ever
green's; and where the shaver sward sloped
down to little silver thread of Joyous water
willow dropped forlorn with a sorrowful
and witching grace. Beside a low rustic
fence was wide border of fowers-mig-
nonette, pure and shy; helictrope, pensive
and wan; carnations, their red rims filled to
the brim with spices; shadowy lilies, like
vestal lamp-bearing virgins, clothed in snowy
white; roses, languid, velyety and rare with
eastern perfumes; and pansies, pathetic and
seeking, purple and golden and dusky-the
flower of thoughts. And as Clytie fastened
cluster OF them in her hair she spoke again
not angrily this time, but with tinge of
sorrow in her voice that was almost ptiful.
The poor girls heart was breaking, and try
as she might, she could not conceal the bit
ter knowledge from herself.
Let US part at once, Them she said. 'sIt
is best soonest over" and Slipping from a ia
per finger the ring with which he had plight
ed their troth In the golden summertide, she
handed it to BERTHE. As he took it the hot
tears of disappointment came into his ewes.
but he brushed them hastily away. 1--WE
shall at least part friends" he said
"Oh, yes" said the girl smiling wan, sad
smile through the mist that covered her
beautiful brown eyes-swe must never be
aught but friends and turning she went
into the house.
: x
"You look i'll, Clytie,n said Mendelssohn
Corcoran at the supper table that evening to
his daughter.
mo, papa" wa. the reply, SIT is worse
than that
He looked at her'steadily for an instant.
Can it be possible" he said, ''that you and
Bertie--n
Yes replied Clytie, eve have parted
forever
'.Pooh, pooh; tbs only lovers quarrel
and will soon be over"
mo. papa" said the girl, her voice trem-
nlous with grief, sit is best to face misfor-
tune bravely, even though oue's heart is
breaking. l love BERTHE dearly, and God
knows that TO tear his image out of nv
heart is cruel pain. But we should not
have lived happily together siuce he refused
my dearest wish"
What was that, my darling?'
He said, replied the girl sobbing as if
her corset would break, ''that when we
were married | could not have his razor:''
and the little head with its coronal of sunny
curls fell on her fathers bosom amid a
storm of sobs.
why, what do you want with razor?''
he asked in establishment.
Looking up to her father, the only one she
had in the wide, wide world, her pretty eyes
bedimmed with tears, Clytie whispered in
low, agonizcd tones:
"Ihaye two large .corns.''