Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-06-25
GLITTER AND GLARE.

Not even to make my last hour
peaceful, Allan?'
"Father, it would darken my whole
future"
at would glorify it, my son. have
lived many years and met so many
women that their hearts have been as
open books to me; but in no cline, in
no land to which | have Travelled, have
| found the purity, the perfection OF
innocence, the warmth of heart, the
nobility of womanhood, which is the
portion of my ward, my adopted child
| would fain leave to your care this
fair young blossom, which L have
guarded so carefully, my son. Lying
upon a bed from which | will never
rise, Allan, would fain give to your
keeping treasure beyond aught | can
leave you; anoble-hearted, true-souled
comforter"
"Father," the young mans tones vi
brated with emotion, "you have been
50 kind to me always;you have taught
me to discern between right and
wrong; would there be no wrong in
this s?-would | not slay the fairest
hopes of my life by consenting? This
girl is nothing to me-let my heart
lind its own mate, father! tpains me
more than / can tell you to refuse your
slightest wish, but | cannot bind my
youth in fetters that would so surely
chafe my manhood. cannot woo
this girl or ask her for my wife.
cannot, father"
"You refuse what would have been
richer possession than all the wealth
of the Dreemes! But, on the brink OF
death, l cannot quarrel with my only
child, Thank heaven that Lcoline
knows nothing of this You will be
brother to her, Allan? Her father
was one to me-she will be lonely -
alone, when | am-dead"
81 will promise that, gladly" Tho
young nan answered; 81 can promise
that, father! Leoline shall have my
best and tenderest care"
From the doorway slight form
darted then IA form which neither the
diving man nor his son had seen; and
girl, with white, quivering features
and dark, distended eyes, fled from the
darkened chamber
An hour later and Harold Dreem'
whispered family;
ALLAN, give me your hand. Cal
Leoline."
And Allan grew white, as touching
silver bell which would summon hi
fathers ward, he bent over the fac
on the pillows.
Through the long hours the,
watched there, these Two, and in tn
gray of the opening day they knel
together over the body of the dead, th'
girl sobbing passionately, the maj
shaking in his silent grief. On tn
calm face of Harold Dreeme la
deaths gray shadow. On the heart o
the girl who knelt there lay one
dark and dreary, but without its calm
for with her whole heart she love
this man who scorned to call he
wife!
Left early an orphan by her artis
father, she had been taken to thi
home of luxury by her fathers frient
and she had grown to regard tn
young heir as a sort of hero worthy c
her worship--a knight who woul
some time stoop to her and glorify he
life with his affection. When she lei
her knees her girlish face was set an
cod-white with her great anguish
but calm through womanly pride-an
stooping to kiss the forehead Of ht
guardian, she left the father to his so
and glided out.
And that night there was excit
ment and fear in the Dreeme mansion
Leoline Elmar could not be foun,
search as they might. In thelight {
that summer day she had gone fortl
bearing with her naught save ii
memory of Allan's words: 81 do nc
love this girl! Let my heart choo'
its mater
Allan sought vainly for a trace
her, and wondered as vainly why 81
had fled.
X X X
\ "All gaslight and glareT' thougl
Allen Dreeme, half YEARLY standir
among the guests in the Irich salon