Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1883-01-12
DONALD S WRATH.

As the moon rose one soft, spring
evening over the dark yews and
feathcry willows that bordered a
quiet graveyard, her beams fell upon
the forms of two young people
who leaning upon the iron railing that
surrounded the plot of ground on
which arose a slender, white shaft,
bearing upon it woman's name and
date some five years old.
1t was the name of the mother of
the young man who stood beside it,
and he had come to bid it farewell
before his departure for Scotland.
The girl at his side was no kin to
him, but she had been adopted in her
infancy by his dead mother, and as
children they had called each other
brother and sister.
AS the boy grew up, however, this
mild affection ceased 10 satisfy him.
Cicily was not his sister. She was
the woman whom he loved. OF this
he had often spoken. Now he ap-
preached the sub ject again.
"Cicily," he said, before we part
let me ask you once more if it is not
possible that you may learn to love
meg"
Donald. have always been very
fond of you. | have told you that
twenty times. I regard you as dear
BROTHER" replied the girl
THAT is all folly, Cicily," said the
young man. I'VE are not akin to
each other. A sisters love does not
content me. What l ask of you is to
be my wife"
Cicily only shook her head.
You do not dislike me, Cicily?"
said the youth. You are pleased
with my society. You are even kind
enough to tell me that my manners
and personal appearance are not dis
agreeable to you, and that you would
not be ashamed of me. 1t is mat
ter of life and death to me to marry
the only woman 1 can ever love.
Think again, Cicily."
"Oh, Donald" pleads Cicily, IL
wish you would be more sensible.
I'll repeat my compliments. 1 said,
and say, that you are the handsom
est man ever knew, and Tin proud
OF you as girl could be of a brother;
but we've known each other always,
and I'm sure it's not love that we feel
for each other, and you'll get over
this folly, and thank me for being
wiser than you"
Goodbye, then, Cicily," said the
young man, sadly, Il have been a
fool, l see; but it is no light matter,
as you seem to think. ! shall love
you all my life, and when ! die your
name shall be the last upon my lips.
The sea is often treacherous; L may
never return. You will give me kiss
before l go7"
"Yes, Donald; we have always
kissed each other since we were little
children" said Cicily.
Their lips met. He held her hand
still, lingeringly, tenderly.
"Ciciiy, he said, after a pause, do
you believe that the dead ever return
to earths That spirits are seen by
mortal eyes?"
Il do not know. No one can really
believe anything about it, answered
Cicily. "We have the word of many
that it is SO; and yet reason seems
against it. 1 hope they do some
times-that is all"
Listen, then, darling" said Don
aid. 81 have presentiment that /
shall never return. If do not, when
you know of my death, will you prom:
lse me to come here-here to my
mother's grave-after the moon has
risen. and call for me by name
Then, if it is permitted, I will come
to you"
T." DO not talk SO wildly, Donald
said Clcily. You have crossed the
ocean before. You are not a coward.
"No, I have never been q coward
! think said the young man; but
Cicily, my heart is broken-and-
and-there-good bye"
He left her then, with one more
, hurried kiss, and strobe away across
the graveyard. She called his name
after him, but SO family that he did
not hear it, Then sadly and slowly
she also went her way.
The Dolphin sailed before noon on
, the morrow. She should not meet
Donald for many days-for his jour
ney was long one-and though sht
: loved him "only as brother" he1
3; checks We're wet with tears.
, Alone, with Donald far away, the
t girl had time to think, time to read
her own heart. In the silence of hel
life, from which Re seemed to have
passed like dream, she came to heal
strange whispers; hints at feeling.
{ she had never recognized in tht
, disguise they had always worn. She
, pined for Donald's voice. for the ligh,
. OF his dark eyes. She grieyed that he
, never wrote to her. She would have
written herself had she not beel
ashamed to do so. but all the will,
she repeated to herself. :" So do sis
; tiers love their brothers. The love OF
S lovers cannot be like this. Donald
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