The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-10-19

When human idol falls from the
place 1t has filed in the heart not the
least of the pain comes from what we
see, or believe we see, of its unworthi.
ness. To find our gold but gilded
clay is sorrowful thing. SO he sat
there and pitied Alice Arnden for the
faith in man which she had lost, rs
well as for the man himself who had
been put from her. With what pain
beyond that which would come to her
from belief that her lover would
think and do what his words seemed
to imply, must she face the added
shame of his STOPPING to tell it nay,
more, to boast of it.
Ralph raised his head. The time
had not been long since he sat down to
think. But he knew it all. Two
proud and obstinate young creatures
had been parted by fate. And he NUT
tered with white compressed lips, 81
alone understand it all. alone, of all
the world, can set it right. What a
temptation !"
We will not seek to follow his
thoughts. What man does should be
the basis of our judgement, not what
he would do If he thought of the
curative effects of time on suffering
hearts, we can forgive him if pos.
sible future, in which a happy home
of his own was the central figure, rose
up to meet him, two can do no less
than pity him.
If she only had the slightest reason
for what she had done but she had
none. If George Fenby was really
scoundrel-but he is truly a noble
| man.
| The band Of sunshine rested on his
head like golden crown. His face
was almost glorified as he raised it to
the light again. And surely the an
gels made record of a second gift
that day coming to the lot of those
whose lives fall for little time with
in the line of our story, when he said
aloud: II will do right. Alice Arm
den shall have her lover back again"
Evening service at the little church
was over. Ralph Warden stood on
the steps as the congregation came
out. He looked happy.
If it be true that "coming events
cast their shadows before and that
''virtue is its own reward he was
happy. He spoke cheerfully to this
one and that one as they passed. He
did not look like conspirator One
would not have dreamed that he had
made plan which for audacity would
find few rivals, while for simplicity it
might find fewer.
"Its better to have it over as soon
| as possible" he said to himself; bet
tier for them and me"
| Alice Arnden was passing him. He
leaned forward.
"Will you come for little drive
with me, Miss Arnden? the night is
perfect, and you look as if fresh air
would do you good"
She accepted at once, hoping, as
she did so, that George Fenby would
see her. He was not there to see,
however, and Ralph had taken good
care to know that He was already
half way home.
But Miss Arnden was in no mood to
refuse. She was in reckless temper,
and Ralph Warden had counted on
that. One desirous of widening the
breach between Alice and George
would have found it an easy task to
make beginning that night.
Ralph Wardens lips moved slowly
as he seated himself beside Alice, but
we will not try to determine what h,
said to himself in that crisis in more
, lives than one.
+ 81 admire your coat and hat" ex-
claimed Ralph, "though the saying
7 may be as much a compliment TO m,
sisters as to your own taste.
every nearly but no quite. But
t didn't know you ever noticed that you
lady friends wear
81 don't very often. l did to-day
e Would the masculine eye detect tn
: difference 2"
81 think not. But it is pity to tall
It Of dress on such night as this. Wha
" strong and hopeful sermon we ha
n this evening"
Il eyes," said Ralph.
S They made turn in the road, an
e there was George himself only fe,
l, yards ahead. Alice put down her We
d at once. Surely fate was at the sid
of Ralph Warden's plans that nigh
n "Get in, George won't take r
$ fusal."
st "Who is with you' Your si
@ ter p
b, "Yes," said Ralph with a promp
if ness which should be admired and pa
e, doned. "Sit on this side,' said Ralp
la as George got in 81 will sit betwe'
a you. The night is beautiful isl
he "Very beautiful y
is "Very beautiful ~ said Georg
en- who really had no thought of it [
ed fore.
no "You needn't 60 home at once. W
ad turn here, and we will drive over
e ward the shore"
d. He had turned his horse down {
a road leading in that direction befo
rs the other companions could say VOL
Oh The two lovers were gazing upon t
of scene they had looked upon in the MOI
ng ing. The moonlight may have har'
ng ness of ita little, but not the man on
int right. And he thought grimly of hi
err self as the image of fate-fate, W
the destiny Of two human beingsin
ng hand,
of 81 found paper OF yours, this mo
she ing, said Ralph, slowly, "and here
YER is. i could hardly help seeing wha
me- was. / congratulate you on your b
me gain You have bought the finest est
about here, George. 1t is remarka
the cheap at the price. believe the d
vas was signed last evening 7"
its "Yes."
lby "Mr. Kingsley had not fully dc
to ded to sell it until then, had he 7"
and Not fully. He told me his dau
lest ter might decide to want it her
'r a when she is married, Mr.. King
will, of course, give her a handsC
the residence somewhere, when that e,
4 IA. 4 4. a..