The Dickinson press., 1883-10-27
Of the bathers. my nerves were q tri-
he unstrnno voatardavU

SH'uSSo, .n'S So>0 was Us uopoleSS as IL
could we'll be. How gracious, and sweet
and smiling she was, and how different
q creature q city belle from what he had
imagined! Her laugh had such a whole-
some, hearty RUG in it, and she was SO
unaffected in her manner, while in
years, she could scarcely, as yet, have
exceeded her twentieth.
Again that night he sat as he did the
evening before and wrestled with him
self. At n moment her evident
pleasure in his company lifted him to
the highest pinnacle Of happiness, and
then he would be plunged in the deep
estabyss ofmisery as a dingy blacksmith
shop, with its glowing forge and heavy
drudgery. rose up before him and
seemed to stand between himself and the
smiling object of his newly awakened
alteration.
The place where he had met his fate
was a rather secluded seaside resort in
eastern New England, and as he joined
in the company of Miss Orrington day
after day, he determined to win her, if
possible. let the circumstances be what
they would.
He had developed of late a wonderful
liking for feminine society, and SUI
prised himself at the ease with which he
glided into the ways of the hitherto
charmed circle; for though he was a
novice in such mat ers, he was fairly
we'll read and above the average in in
t%elligence.
So one evening late in July, as the sea
lay like a huge mirror in the soft radi-
ance of the silver moonlight, he dropped
the oars which he had been plying with
unusual vigor, and allowed the boat to
drift over the CLASSY surface, unrufled
by the slightest symptom ofa breeze.
His companion was looking dreamily
towards the shore from which the strains
Of music and sounds of laughter foated
like echoes from fairyland.
isn't this delicious" said Miss Or
rington. turning her radiant face toward
him, ut seems as though l could live
my life out in such a state of beatitude
as this"
A strong arm seemed to grasp the
throat of the young man.
ut ia heaven on EARTH" he answered,
IN q low, almost hoarse tone.
The strange sound of his voice startled
her.
care you sick?" she said, reaching her
hand toward him from the seat in the
stern of the little boat. "Your voice
sounds 80 strangely"
mo, l am very we'll j ndeed," he re-
turned, with an effort; ''but 1 was think
end"
The oppressed feeling came suddenly
upon her, and her rosy cheeks paled in
the moonlight.
81 had never Thought of that" she
faltered.
at seems as though we had known
each other a lifetime!"
And the look in her face made him
forget everything; and, at the risk of
capslzlng the frail craft, he threw him
self on his knees before her, and clasped
her hand, which he devoured with kiss
es; while the stern of the boat sank
deep in tranquil water, which sp!ashed
IN over the side, and broughtshim to his
senses somewhat.
"Don't you know how much I have
loved you, Miss Orrington?" he whis-
pered, ~passionately, as though fearful
that prying ears might hear him, spite
of the seclusion of the waters, and her
low answer assured him that his passion
was returned.
And hour after hour passed needless
~ by, and the moon cast many an adj
monishing glance backwards at them as
she retired behind the hlll-tops, ere
they realized the lateness of the hour,
Ind the happy Peter, who envied not
the angels, once more seized the oars
and pulled his precious freight shore
ward.
But the reaction came as 1901 as he
once more sought his pillow, and he
moaned in agony as he thought of the
cruel gulf that lay between himself and
The girl whom he %worshiped; for the
thought of lettering himself by the alli-
ance had all given place to the one en-
crossing d e OF possessing her.
One device and another was hit upon
and thrown aside as Improbable, and
when morning am he seemed no near
er to a solution than before; but during
the day he conjured up a pathway out
of the dilemma, which, though not hon
orable, he felt assured would at least
bring matters to a crisis.
That evening he told her a story of
how his parents were set upon his mar
rying a girl for whom he never enter
tanned the slightest affection, and then,
as his well-nigh hopeless love addedfer-
vor to his words, he urged her to marry
him Immediately, 80 that this question
might be settled beyond all dispute;
and the girl trembling with emotion, to
his indefinite delight consented.
Their arrangements were of the SIM
plest possible character, and "a hours
afterwsrd the guests assembled at the
hotel parlor to witness the impromptu
marriage, though all day long a horror
OF what he was doing had been creeping
over Peter Fillmore, chilling his heart
and paling his usually ruddy cheek.
And now, as the hour drew near, and
he went to meet the guileless, confiding
girl, he felt more like a condemned
felon going to his execution, than a pros
pective bridegroom.
Miss Orrington met him with down
cast eyes and flushed cheek, and her
hand trembling as she placed it in his.
His eyes devoured her hungrily. He
noted her dimpled shoulders that
cleaned like ivory above the dainty
muslin dress she wore, with the knots
OF flowers and simple adornments that
SO enhanced her beauty, for no jewels
at the last moment, his manhood assert.
ed, itself and he begged a moments con.
versation with her.
A look OF horror gleamedin the brown
eyes of the girl as they stood alone in
the slde-room. She seemed almost faint.
ing, and grasped q chair for support as
he turned toward her, with Set lips and
the impress of death upon his face.
Miss rrington, I a not marry you'll"
came from his pallid lips, low, yet dis
t,nct, and then lie stopped, while the
deceived girl sank into the chair and
sobbed %piteously.
81 would have made you a good wife,
she moaned, as Peter gasped for breath
and tottered back and sorth before her.
But l am only u blacksmith and have
nothing but my trade to depend upoh.