The Arkansaw traveler. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1882-1???, 1883-01-13
AFTFR THREE YEARS.

The ripping waters of the Medi,era-
mean that Tapped the shores OF the sunny
coast Of Italy were silvered by the bright
radiance oil an autumn moon.
A little boat few rods from the shore
drifted aimlessly on the tide. The oecu-
pants, two, man and a. woman, sat ST.
lently watching the mooniit coast, al
though the beauties of the scene we're ap-
parently lost TO them. The man. who
was resting quietly upon his oars, Was
young ana handsome but his dark aris-
tocratic face wore look of stern deter
mination. Every now and then he turned
to the woman who sat listlessly in the
stern of the boat, as though waiting some
word from her, while she never turned
her eyes from the approaching shore
steadfastly avoiding his gaze.
She wa, scarcely more than twenty
three, with pale and classic face, the
eyes, large and luminous, seemed thought
full and troubled.
At last, with shrug of his shoulders.
the man shipped his oars, and pulled
steadily for the shore. The boat grated
on the sands, and springing lightly out.
without a word he extended his hand to
assist the -woman--.-----
Florence" he said as he held her
hand a moment as she stepped out on
the beach, us this 10 be our parting
1t is as you make it, Mr.. lngcrsoll.
the woman answered quietly. looking
into his troubled eyes with her own orbs.
thoughtful and troubled. too. but with a
purpose tina, saddened them li,tle. II,
is better We should par. Your suspicious
are unjust and unmanly. You say you
love me, but you cannot trust me"
s'Trust you: My God. have | not
placed impllci, confidence in you: Have
not seen you leave the hotel N dead of
night and meet, God knows who. on the
shore here, and still have | not trusted
you, and bowed my head when you have
said wait? have waited, but can do so
no longer. Tell me, Florence, for the
sake Of my love, who is this man for
whom you faced the storm and wind OF
last midnight =
al cannot!
The tone was low but firm, and a set,
panied look appeared about the corners
of her mouth. For all her outward calm
ness this woman was battling with her
self as few women have strength to, and
her heart was full Of pain.
As she spoke the man drew himself up
and folded his arms across his breast,
while his eyes seemed to pierce her very
soul.
Then farewell! Mortal man can
bear no more. You have broken my
hearth
Turning quickly, he disappeared in the
night, leaving her alone on the shore.
For some moments she stood as he had
left her, her head bowed ans hands
clasped in front Of her. She raised her
head, the misery and pain she had so
well striven to conceal from her compan-
ion now unrestrained, filled her eyes. and
with pitiful moan she cas-, herself down
on the yellow sand
oh. my brother she cried, : is this
not too much, that | should give my life
to save your miserable self.
"Oh, F1ossy, he's comingr'
Who's coming, dear*
My splendid, handsome cousin Hal,
and, y Flossy, you mus, marry him.
He's Just elegant, and has Travelled all
over the world, and hasn't been home for
five years, and he will be here tomorrow,
SIS told me- We sIt TIC o.:y relation.
he has left, and so he is TO stop here a
whole month and you must marry him.
Fiossy, you'd make such handsome
pair"
The blight little sixteen-yeaI-old miss
ssopped short for sheer lack of breath.
The lady addressed as Flossy, who was
arranging her toilet for dinner, broke into
laugh at the blunt attempt to dispose Of
her 50 SUMMARY in marriage to stran-
ger.
"Why, Belle she cried, laughingiy,
suppose should not love him z"
Not love him p questioned the little
miss, taking the matter in earnest and
her bright face SOLDERING. "You can't
help Il, Flossy, he is so good and hand