Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-09-08
For the IHpErREpEsr.
Hazel Tregallas.
By D. II. 8.

Ihe night IS very dark, Win OUT
few stars shining at intervals in a
blue black, cloudless sky, and they
but poorly serve to define the varie-
ties of shadows cast by the great
cedars in the lawn, the stiff notion
less fir tree, rising at intervals from
a freshly clipped hedge, and the gray
stone house, long known as Airing
ton Hall, about which they stand
sentinel-wise.
Of a sudden a window on the
ground floor, the depth of which ex-
tended to the very boards, is pushed
up, the blinds thrown aside and a
stream of light is thrown forth, cut
ting in twain the surrounding dark
ness, and aftera moment IS hesitation
wOman's figure steps out on the
broad veranda, and passing beyond
the stream of light which illumines
the hedge of yew, proceeds to pace
back and forth-a restless shadow
among these quiet ones. The star
light now and then, as she passes
from the darkness of the cedar tree
to the duller shadows that lie beyond
it, gives glimpse of a pair Of white
arms and snowy white hands and
throat, which CLEAN through her
thin black gown, 1t is so still that
the sweep of the long train over the
green sward is magni6ed into a de-
cided sound in the stiffness of the
night. 3sss
At last, under the beautiful ever
green, there is pause the two arms
are crossed on low bough, and a
white face-very white in this dim
starlight-is lifted to the fields of
azure above. ooh, my heavenly
Father, may Thou direct and guide
my footsteps Alright. Yes, | am de-
termined-my mind is quite made
up. 1 will tell him everything to-
night. / have been weak and vacil-
lating so far, but 1 will be no long
err" The voice that broke the still
ness was not a girls voice, one
distinctly felt that, notwithstanding
the evidence of the slender form
outlined against the darkness. 1t
was the voice of one who had done
more than catch the sweet, distant
visions, or dreamed tender dreams of
the promised land" More like was
it to one who had counted the cost
of the journey thither. But grief
instead ofhappiness sometimes turns
the key of human life, and from
either guide we learn so much that
it is often difficult to judge from a
face or voice which Of the two has
been the teacher. II wish that he
might come" the voice said mo-
mept later; "my courage is growing
faint as l wait" Even as she spoke
another shadow crossed the food of
light from the window, and man
with quick step came to her side.
"Lowery told me that I would find
Mrs. Tregallas in the garden. But
is it wise my darling to be here in
the night air with no wraps, and this
thin dress ?" laying q caressing
hand upon the fair brow.
A very different voice this one
young and passionate-full of life
and eagerness. Even in the dark
ness, had it fallen upon your ear,
you would have placed its owner in
a happy position, and vowed that he
was standing on the threshold of
life, peering forth over wide vistas
made brilliant by the fire of love and
hope.
"Paul," the woman said, seeming
not to notice his words, II am glad
you nave come 10 me. L want TO
and must tell you something"
sit must be something of IA very
serious nature. What a grave and
tremulous voice." taking her little
palms in his and drawing her quite
near to him, and peering vainly
through the darkness. trying to read
the lines of the beautiful face before
him; and then cheerily: "Let us
hope the words are not worthy the
tones in which they are spoken"
81 wish,n she continued, pressing
the hand that so firmly held her own,
to speak to you about Mr.. Tregal-
las"
"No, my hope, not tonight" he