The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-04-19

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AS usual Robert DUNBAR aimed with
Is, and afterward we sat in the soft
jwilight, at the piano, papa doing,
md Robert in his favorite place, where
MS eyes could rest upon me as l sang.
Softly and sadly the notes fell from
my lips, and once again touched the
chords of Douglass, Douglass Tender
and True" and the heart break seemed
my own. Tears overhowed my eyes
and 1 leaned my head on the instru-
ment to hide them. 1 felt hand on
my bowed head lifting me to a softer
resting place.
'Bessie," murmured voice (which
even to-day makes music in my soul;
Bessie, what troubles you, my darlingp
Oh, Bessie, love you, 1 love you. Can
it be that you are grleyed to leave mep
Look up my queen, let me read my
fate in your bonnie blue eyes. Can
you care for me, Bessiep" he whispered
softly caressing my head, as it rested
on his bosom.
At last 1 found voice 10 answer his
whispered pleadings.
Mr.. Dunbar L do not think l care for
you as you wish me to. have known
only papa and you. like you both.
Oh, Mr.. Dunbar, do not know my
own heart; do not ask me to care for
you, except as dear brother. 1 am
young; L am not worthy of the love
you offer me. 1 will be your friend al
ways, but" and / drew away from
his enfolding arms-"I cannot promise
anything more"
His eyes, dark and deep, looked into
mine, as he murmured: "You are but
a child, and have startled you. For
give me, sweetheart; l shall go on loY-
ing you forever, and maybe you will
learn to love me in return after awhile.
Do not forget me, little love; you are
going away for year. Come back to
me as you go, and will win you; for
without you, life is not worth living.
[ will say goodbye now, darling. "
And once more he folded me to his
heart, and kissing me passionately on
the brow and lips he was gone.
sat like one in a dream. What was
this that had come into my lifeP felt
consciousness of newly acquired pow
er to win hearts; yet be unwon. Hence,
forth | was woman; my child-life lay
behind me. 1 sat long and pondered
A year would bring many changes.
should graduate, and school life would
be over forever; then would enter So
ciety-and visions of conquests and so.
cial success fitted before my eyes as
'tried to scan the future. rose, kissed
papa softly, and sought my room, "tC
sleep, perchance to dream"
My year of probation passed swiftly
by. had frequent letters from Mr.
Dunbar, but they were more friendly
than lover-like. remembered him a!
an almost brother, and looked forward
with pleasure to meeting HIM again.
Commencement day had come ant
passed, and l with other ''girl gradu
ates," secured my diploma, and wa
bowling my acknowledgements, when
raised my eyes to meet those of Rober
Dunbar fixed upon me. His face
darkly handsome, lighted up with ;
smile, as he bowed with stately courte
sy in response to my look OF pleased
surprise.
Afterward we met in the crowded
reception room, and, while his name
was ever courteous and kind, he seem
ed to have forgotten that last interview
of a year ago. 1 felt piqued, and ex
erted myself to charm the man 70
whom l had persuaded myself 1 caret
only as friend. And yet, why shoul,
1 try to win that for which 1 care,
nothing. 'Tis vain for woman to rea
son. for usually it Is impulse rather thai
reason that governs her actions.
The evening passed quickly, as sue
evenings generally do, and 1 retire,
early to prepare for the jo lrney of to
morrow. Somehow l felt as though
had lost something that l priced. Ye
l had rejected the love Robert Dunba
had offered me a year ago. Would
do otherwise nowp 1 could not answer
The next morning found us on ou
way to w, for Robert was my escort
Papa not being able to make the joul
ney, his health being feeble, SO muc
so, that he seldom left home, and
had learned to lean upon Robert as o
a son. We had travelled through til
long, dusty summer day and had mad
our last change in the dusk, taking tn
through express for w. was wear
and dispirited. Roberts thoaghtfl
kindness had made the way seem lei
long and tiresome than it otherwls
would have done, but it seemed brothe
ly kindness only. 1 began to wish
otherwise, and yet L made no sigI
Once or twice saw something of IL
| old look in his eyes as he bent thei
earnestly upon me, but reasoned, pc
7 haps it is only my fancy. AS nigl
deepened, 1 grew restl SIS, and feeling
as of some impending danger, hur
over me. The train whirled on wit
, increasing speed /; suddenly there was
: swaying motion, then crash, and the
| the very blackness of darkness swa
4 lowed us up. We seemed falling fro
4 illimitable heights, and cries and groal
/ filled the summer night. felt, wht