Daily Republican., 1883-11-14
AN ERROR OFSIGHT,
BY GERALDINE FLEMING.

"She ID an excellent girl. and OF
who will make a good wife; in tin
, you will learn to love her." said son
one behind thick tangle of vines,
the shadow of which Mabel Randolr
was sitting.
"l shall never love her asa ma
ought to love the woman he 10 to ma
ry; not as l love you," was the ha
impatient, wholly sorrowful answer.
Miss Randolph started up from her se,
on q grassy mound and with a nervo,
hand pushed aside the shining emeral
masses of Virginia creeper.
Surely that is not Paul Gormley'
voice." she thought with a quick thri
OF wondering jealOusly. "And yet
is-it IL. And 1t Is that fair, statel
stranger by his side whom he loves, an
not she painted, as staring throup
the parted vines, she beheld two figure
In the path below, where the golden 70,
grew high and rank, and a tremulou
poplar flung fitful shadows on til
proud head and beauteous features of
tall, elegant girl.
"You are plighted to her." the cir
was saying In her soft, sad voice
land however much We may suffer
you and l-you must do what is righ
toward your betrothed bride"
know that" was the gloomy re
spOnse of the handsome gentleman, VIII
in an attitude of utter detection, wa
leaning against the bole OF the rustlinI
old popular " know that have me
you too late in this world of fatalities
My life with you would be all sweetness
and rest and yet fate sent you to m
only when l had become bound to an
Othsr-to that other who can never I'll
my heart"
Perhaps you are less brave than I, ,
the girl said slowly and gently, but
you can be no more unhappy"
How can be brave when [ know
that all the years before me will be
haunted by one endless regret, one
ceaseless yearning for you, my dearest.'
he demanded passionately, as he sud.
denly drew her into his arms.
For a moment he held her closely Y
and tenderly in his embrace, then re-
leased her with sigh and turned away.
And so!.they parted, going different
ways, the man walked swiftly with a
reckless and unsteady stride, the girl
sobbing softly.
Mabel Randolph, watching on the
ridge above, clung weakly to the vines
for support and gazed wildly along the
steep, shady path whittier those two
had gone-thOse two, whose disclosures
had made her miserable. The sunshine
on the blue sea and brown cliffs was
bright and warm, but she felt cold and
numb through all her quivering frame.
he met her too late in this world of
fatalities for he is bound to me and |
can never fill his heart" she repeated
drearily y as she watched him hurrying
down the steep path toward the shore.
Distant as she was, she could discern
the unna' ural pallor Of bis face, the un-
familiar detection of his whole aspect.
Once he stopped and looked back de-
'pairingly where gray dress and a |
,oronal OF dead gold lair cleaned
among the trees-stopped and lifted one
1and with a gesture eloquent of an
lnguished farewell, then turned and |
gain strobe on.
Still watching that receding figure,
Miss Randolph moved aimlessly along
he ridge, that from where the down
ward path diverged, ever ascended to
he loftier and precipitious cliffs be.
'Ond.
She felt bewildered and wretched. It'll
GEMS incredible that Paul Gormley
ould have so deceived himself; she
lad believed him too steadfast, too con-
istent, too slow Of decision to make SO
.rievous an error of the heart He had
ver seemed tender and true and yet
le had never loved her, his fondest and
nest Aud this pitiful mistake, this
orrowful disloyalty had been revealed
0 her while his kisses were yet warm
N her lips.
The morrow was to have been her
Over yonder in that
re ty little villa by the sea, in her own
ainty chamber were the bridal gar.
nents-the robe of silk and lace, the
'earls and orange bloom, that now she
ould never wear.
For l will give Paul his freedom"
he decided with noble promptitude
he shall have his beloved one and
appiness and he shall not feel that my
acrifce Is great, nor that my grief Is
lOst bitter"
She was still heedlessly ascending the
arrow and treacherous path, a mist Of
sars before her sight, when suddenly
er unwary feet tripped among the
'ose, rough stones. Sic struggled
ainly to regain her footing. clutching
10 empty air, and the next instant
tipped over the dizzy verge.
There was certain death on those mer
less rocks below, az she ktenly real
ed even In the awful instant of her
reathless fall. Buthalf the way down
dwarfed and ancient tree, growing Il
ON fissure in the bare precipIce, re-
'ived the falling form in its friendly
,st of branches. II
1t was perilous place. Tho thick, L
united boughs swayed and creaked be- q
eath her weight, while for moments
lat seemed ages she clung to her ftail {
,rie with resignation that was pa
letic. rs
Perhaps she scarcely cared to live t
nee she deemed all that was most
'ecious to her had gone from her keep.
&. But presently clear, encourag. d
z voice came down to her-a voice n
at aroused her from the deadly faint q
,ss, against which she had been brave o
struggling. v
+" Mabel, my own Mabel" her lover o
lied to her, shave courage and be 9
reful. Adjust the rope when 1t comes, q
ID you will be saved" h
With weak hands she caught and I'd.
ste.l the noosed rope, and then with
an little smile, glanced upward.
Two strong young men stood on the r.
rge above-two handsome young fel. 8,
VS., each with the same nut brown p
'ir, the same flowing brown beard, ii
e same pale and finely cut features. pi
II must be dying" she thought, "
and have visions:'' re
Ruf whan Mt last thar a.ox.. ho. ~. A ~