Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-09-15
won her already honorable recognition in the

world of art
"And YOU have never heard of Mabers paint
ing e:s until now" asked Tom.
quite absorbed in my special studies"
Eyes. and you have not seen Mabel for ever
so long, have yOu?"
"NO, replied, mot since that summer ten
years ago, when was at my grandmother's:"
Jolly times We had, too" said Tom, refec-
ward's?"
sudden rush of blood to my face utterly
confused me- l stammered reply and Tom,
to my relief went on with some rambling remi-
nlscences. 1t was some seconds before dared
to look at Mabel. Surely she was blushing too
The next morning we all went on trip up
the slopes of the mountain. Mabel in short.
gray suit. alpine hat, and stout boots; Tom car
rying her drawing materials. Thus we made
this, and many another, delightful expedition
Life took on new colOrs for me- There was a
radiance and glory about it that had never
dreamed of before. Every day l found fresh
reason for admiring my beautiful companion,
and our walks through the deep valleys and up
the rough mountain sides were to me like en-
chanted Journeys through a realm of FAIRIES.
In this lovelest country in the world, with this
| most glorious woman by my side. 1 was indeed,
as one TRANSPORTED by the light of the grand
passion that took possession of my soul
At first knew not what had befallen me.
thought only that my pleasure in Mabel's So
ciety sprang from similarity of tastes and pur-
suits. and the charm of her conversation; but
gradually woke to the overwhelming fact that
loved her with the one great love of nv life.
that seemed to me now to date from the DAYS of
| long ago, to have been always with me, and to
stretcA out into the future to make it transcen-
IDENTITY glorious. or long despair.
And yet as soon as | had learned nv own
secret. my former bashfulness came back upon
me with tenfOld intensity, and found myself
often embarrassed in her presence, while at the
thought OF telling her my hearts story though
INV Pasf
delight at the dream of successful wooing. yet
was so overwhelmed that utterance would, as
was sure. be an impOssibility
And Mabel? Her eyes We're very kind to me-
They turned to me with softened luster that
thrilled me with hope; and vet if ATTEMPTED
even compliment, blushed, foundered, and
was lost.
One evening we were talking of all manner of
subjects. grave and gay, and so strayed to mar
rage IN general. and especially to the matri-
mOnial lot of some Of our old friends
You remember Boyd, don't you, Hill?"
asked Tom
Tall. bashful fellow, like me?" added
Yes" replied Tom. laughing. ale married
Miss Cutting. our former school teacher I
! always thought she proposed to him"
Sensible girl" 1 exclaimed. II think it Is
positively wOman's duty sometimes to help q
man out. You remember that book of the late
DIR. Horace Bushneltpublished some years ago.
called a Reform against Nature? In it he de-
nOunced the whole WOman's Rights movement
but maintained that every woman ought to
have the right to propose marriage to the man
rect"
Ispoke with great eagerness. looking ALWAYS
at Tom; but at the last words nv glance
turned to Mabel. her eyes We're fixed on mine.
and the look met there sent the blood to nv
heart with such a swift, tumutueus rush. that
grew faint with confusion. and presently
rushed out of the room and to bed-though not
to sleep
The next day went out in the afternoon by
myself for scramble through damp and very
rough gorge. where Tom and Mabel did not
care to accompany me. was half glad to be
alone for was nervous over nv audacity ofthe
night before: yet at thought of Mabels kindly
eyes, so overwhelmed with binding happiness
that had to look many times at bit of rock
before could see the stria that denoted glacial
action.
1t was late sunset when reached the Inn.
Inc last rosy light was flushing the distant
mountain peaks with that marvellous beauty
whch is one OF the wOndrOus charms of Swiss
scenery. made my way without pause to
Mabers parlOr, led there by force that seemed
to draw me by power beyond my control. The
room was quite dusk and she was alone. AsI
entered she came toward me with quantity of
letters and papers in her hands.
These came while you were away" she said.
Mechanically took the papers. Among them
there was a large package on which l dmly
dlscerned the word Due" followedby an illeg-
ibe stamp,
You have paid something on this,"I said;
how much was it?" and looked up.
postage not stated, replied Mabel -
promptly. Smilingly. she uttered the words.
Then her dark eyes softened and faltered. The
papers and letters were scattered over the floor.
had caught her in my arms with all the au-
dacity that had been once before mine in my
bOyish days.
Only now, as I pressed passionate kisses on
her brow and lips. found voice at last to utter
the yearnng that was consuming my heart.
LILLE DEYEREUx BLAKE