Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-10-26

Mabel WAS over. "A passionate em-
brace. a lingering. soulful kiss, and
they Parted. but with the determine
III each heart to be true until death
did them part.
The band struck up an inspiring
march; flags waved gayly in the
morning sunlight; bayonrts brightly
glistened; AMI amidst the shouts of
the bystauders the column moved
some To ne soon claimed by that grim
king whose acquaintance we all must
make sooner or later. and some to
carve their names in Fame's eternal
scroll. although their cause is lost
and their banner trails the dust.
&
There had been fought sanguinary
battle. Mabel. with a trembling
heart. aargcrly scanned the list of
killed and wounded, hut Adrian's
name appeared not. Days went by,
and still 20 news of Adrian. The
conviction gradually settled down
that the young man had been killed.
Mabel rebelled strongly against this
stroke Of cruel fate; but at last He
that doeth all things wisely and
'tempers the wind to the shorn lamb
sent peace to the troubled heat.
& *
Grim visaged war had sroothed
his wrinkled 'front.' and the clash OF
arius had ceased in the land. The
war had wrought many changes
Judge Nichols was dead. The most
OF his wealth had vanished with the
downfall of the Confederacy; but
enough had been saved to support
Mabel comfortably and even ele-
gantly. In all these years her heart
hadl never wandered from her first
love His image was enshrined in
her hearts, and hers was one OF
those natures that can love but once
for. let scoffers say as they wish, such
natures do exist, and thrice blessed
is he who can claim a heart like this
for his own.
I Never word had she heard OF
Adrian. Her great love did moi
make her morbid and avoid society
II she had been handsome at seven
teen, she was simply dazzling at five
and twenty. and many were the offers
she received. By no act of hers die
she endeavor to arouse the sacred
fame in tie breast masculine. but
whom the proposal did come she
gently but firmly refused.
The guests Of the celebrated White
Sulphur Springs were in state O
great excitement. The night for th'
ball Of the season was rapidly ap
preaching, and nothing else wa
talked of.
1t came at last. anG thu handsome
ly decorated and spacious ball room
was filled with the "slite" and beart,
OF the South. Without any effort o
her own, Mabel was the recognized
belle Of the evening; and the strange
standing at one of the Windows
thought he had never looked upon ,
fairer sight. He was tall, handsome
soldiery looking man, and had only
arrived by tho last train. As h
gazed upon Mabel his eyes bright
ened with unutterable love.
As the evening advanced, Mabe
became tired of the glare and heat Of
the ball room. and, watching bel
chance, she slipped unnoticed, as she
thought, away, and sought cool an6
secluded corner of the vine covered
piazza.
The moon shone brightly from the
heavens. and, As on that night &c
many years before, the air was fra
grant with the scent of flowers
From the ballroom came the sub
dued music of a waltz, and tears rose
to Mabel's eyes as she thought of her
dead love and the long ago." Then
through the mist of sadness. came
the thought that he had died as g
hero should with his face to the
foe.
Her heart thrilled with these mem
cries, and
mabel, my darling. are you ready
to fulfill your promise!"
Was she dreaming? Had the
memories of other and happier days
made her imagine that it was Adrian's
voice that now spoke? For a mo-
ment her heart seemed to stani still
Then by mighty effort she raised
her eyes and gazed full at the form
that stood before her. with the moon
light enhancing the beauty of his
face ten fold.
MY darling! My darling! she
murmured, with the light of her
great and loyal love in her eyes.
THANK God, you are restored to me
once again!"
Let us hope never to be parted in
this life. How I love your pure
woman's heart"
"Adrian dear, that evening so long
ago when I promised to be your wife
! meant it for time and eternity"
Then am blest among men," he
tenderly responded.
Then came the explanation OF
Adrian's long silence. After the bat
tie Of - he had written a letter
after letter to Mabel. 70 none of
them came reply. In those desper-
ate days around Richmond there was
no chance for sending or receiving
letters. Most of his fortune had
been swept away. and no trace of
Mabel could he find. With Mabel
lost to him, he devoted himself to
business, and had been unusually
successful, so that at the present
time he was d rich man.
Then Mabel told of his supposed
death. OF her not receiving one of his
letters, and the heavens seemed to
take in a softer glow as if in unison
with the now happy lovers. =
Adrian insisted upon a speedy
marriage and soon the solemn words
were spoken that made them man
and wife.
HIS REVENGE were riding
up from the Wall street ferry in
bus. He lifted his hat to her in
gingerly manner, and she bowed with
the GOODNESS of an iceberg.
"Know herr" asked a man at his
elbow.
Know her! Why 1 was engaged
to her last fallr'
s.A,l ,rl