The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-09-08

strange that could not scli whether h was man or woman but something told me that the one who had borne Il had lived a life removed from that of common beings.
 One warm summer afternoon. when the very air seemed heavy and loaded down wi,h unseen things. called the att ,ention of the sexton. who. weary from toll and heat. had come 10 s,, by my side, 10 the grave, and begged that he should tell me the story of its occupant. For some moments he made DO reply and then. shaking his head as if he, ,oo. doubted what he was about to tell, said
 .'.l, is strange story. h, only 10 be heard by few : still since you aie anxious 10 hear i'. will tell il to you.' He paused, and his gaze was fastened upon shrub that grew above the grave IL wAs a curious plant, the bark mouled like the skin of snake. the trunk and limbs s,un,ed and unna,ural. and the leaves of a pale. repuls,ve green. Often in the pas, had watched +. wondering from whence i, sprung. and now the old mans eyes rested upon i; as fl held powerless by some mysterious spell When a, las, laid my hand heavily upon his shoulder. he seemed 10 shake ofi heavy s,upor. and paas,ng a moment. as fl 10 collect his thoughts, continued
 Five and thirty years ago. An gan was as comedy youth as one would over mee. He had youth ard health and wealth honestly won. three blessings seldom gwen 70 a single man. He had never been away from wonder village and had no desire 10 go. ou, was content 70 remain and follow the path hls father had gone before him. As regards blood kin he was lonely man. and the las, of a goodly race. Ne, this len, simple nobility 10 his character. for 1t made him anxious 10 keep unsul- led a name rendered spo,less by good deeds and just lives.
 When Angan was three and twenty years of age there came to reside in the village tor few months a retired 1T Ades- man, man of wealth and good repute. With him came his laughter. The father seemed a man of kindly in;en: and was made welcome but the older ones. who by experience had gained knowledge Of human nature, eyed the daughter ask ance and shook their head. sadly when they saw that the young men were drawn to her more than was for their good. She was beautiful. her beauty being of the kind which Is quickest 10 attract and de- ceive, seemingly most innocen, when most siren like. and the youth hovered about her as the bees now hover above wonder honeysuckle. Angan was the mos, infatuated of all. Al first she was attracted to him in return, bu, taking of fens. q, some slight thing. determined to make him the pleasan, means of whiling away a summers holiday, and lead him on like the siren tha, she was. Twas said by some tha, she told him she loved him and would become his bride. Be this as it may he was rarely from her side; and with lovers though;fulness and tender care would no: allow her slightes, wish to go unsa,ished. He be- came in word her loving. submissive slave.
 sWhen the father and daughter had resided for some time in the village it was m ade known tha; they were to take their leave and go elsewhere. The night before their departure Angan called upon her whom he loved Waa, words of hattery. wha, false declarations of love. wha, promises for the future she then be- slowed upon him. none ever knew yet when he jeff her and vent ;o his home hls handsome features were all agiow with hope. The next morning he WAS at the stage house to see her on herway The parting between them was 10 Angan infinitely touching. She threw her arms abou: him and allowed her head to fall upon his shoulder while he kissed her forehead again and agaln. When the fnal momen, came, she held up her lips for a careSs and thrusting into his hands a letter which she bade him not to open until alone. was gone. Cntil the coach faded from view he stood like one stunned by heavy blow, and then walked slowly away. When he reached home he sat down and drew out the note which had been the parting token of his mistress. He smiled gently as he looked at the dainty hand in which i, was written, and ere he broke i, kissed the wafer with which i, was sealed As he opened the paper thread ef long golden hair fell ont and twined like thing of life abou, one ot ntS nngeTs auef fAiSing II resef- enly to his lips he wrapped i, in a slip of paper and placed l, carefully away. The note was only few lines in length. yet it contained poison that vas to em- bitter the whole after hfe of him to whom it vas written. As he read ii low moan escaped the young mans lips, and tae paper dropped from his nerveless fingers to the door. It said that she cared nothing for him, and presuming that he did not for her, hoped he would look upon their acquaintance as she did, as a thing that had done no harm and was now past For long tune Angan sat like a being of stone, seeing nothing, hearing nothing and i, was late at night when he at las, sought his couch and tried ,o sleep.
 From ,hx. time forth his life WAS changed. He wen; no longer among the villagers, and rarely Jeff the seclus,on Of his chamber. save al night; and then his footsteps always tended into parts un- frequented by others. remember see ing him often in those twilight walks of