Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-02-28
A Fathers Curse

chicago lrlOune.
Good bye, McNulty l''
The tall lissome form OF Esmersldo W. |
Perkins WAS sharply outlined against |
Vivian McNulty's left ear rs he stood that |
beautiful June evening in the door way |
of Brierton Villa hoping against hope, |
praying that somethiug-he knew or
cared not whst-might occur to sweep |
from the horizon OF his life the awful |
SORROW that was hanging over it like |
pall-a sorrow that would make every |
day q pseon of misery, every word Of JOY |
that others might utter knell OF despair. |
They had qusrrsled these two-they |
who in the beautiful days of autumn,
when the leaves were turning golden,
when the hills we're crowned with amber
light and the valleys seemed like LUCE
cups brimming over with purple haze
and when the trotting record was lowered
to 2 0St had plighted their troth so will
ingly aud yet so solemnly, thinking, and
rightly, too, that this blending together
OF two hearts was a solemn, holy act, one
that should ever be looked back upon in
silent grstitude-and now they were to
part forever, take separate paths on the
evsntful journey of lifs-that journey
which they had hoped by constant com
psnionship and enduring love to make
one of oeaseless Joy and sweet content.
But now all was changed, and the rose
tinted future which they often pictured
TO themselves and talked about in the
calm hopefulness that only a young man
on SIS a month and pure, passionless
| girl who can eat the bottom crust Of pie
without a quiver can assume had passed
away forever, and in its place there was
yswning shssm of despair and grief
81 cannot marry you," Esmeralda had
said to him that night as he entered the
house, and then, having uttered the
cruel words which she had been school
ing herself all that day to say, and see-
ing how they had pierced like dagger
that brave manly heart, she had thrown
herselt into his arms, and as her white
face, down which the tears We're stream
lug, lay upon his heart, Vivian McNulty
knew that the words which EsmerslGa
had spoken did not come from her heart
knew that come terrible mystery
was enshrouding both their lives
in its darksome folds. And as
he held her sobbing in his arms the light
from the chandelier above them stresmed
down in golden radience upon the broad
white brow from which the fair hair
waved away fell across the long strangely
dark eyelssbes, giving just gleam Of
the beautiful blue eyes beneath, ACROSS
the sweet, red mouth quivering like q
grieved ohild's. And III IN, as he ben'
forward tenderly to kiss away The tears
the girl has drawn bsck-not in anger
but with an expression of unltterablt
. pain on her fsce-sud spoke the thre,
words with which this chapter opens
Good bye. MeNulty."
For an instant the youpg man could
not reply. He had not felt such shoci
since meeting his father in the giddJ
whirl OF poker game aud going hom,
with nothing but oontrite heart aud
. lead pencil to show for his month
wages. He still held Estneralda's hand
in his, and the girl WAS looking up l.
, him with eyes that were fearless now
hut in their depths there was a look o
frozen borrow, a my hustle has. got loos
/ expression that pierced his very soul
And when he had asked for an explana
: tlou Of her words-not demanded it 40
' right, but pleaded for it as a isvor-sh
had only shifted uneasily upon the othe
4 foot and burst into a storm Of sob1.
: 81 can only tell you," she murmured
o when finally his sgonized entreaties ha
!. would render your lie one Of co1stan
v misery that i, is bstter We should par
now tan commit an error which eternit
clone could etf4ce. You will never kno'
n how love you, Vivian-never know th
- dreadful agony that this separation
"a causing me. God knows | would gree
20 death with smiling face and ou
"a stretched arms tomorrow, no
Dna
"A for what is life without your Low,
ID and presence, aud kisses, bat an uuess
!. ing torture If loved you less, If yot
"a love were / OF enshrined In my heart
j. something TO be worshipped evermore,
Iv would not take this step. 1t was wron
i. very wrong, know, to allow this love
"a oysrmaater my whole being; but it
better TO wreck one life than two, and
again | say "Good by.' And lifting h.
pure, sweet face to his, Rsmerslds kiss,
him gently OF the lips and turned to G
>, stop" exclaimed Vivian in ar il
IL perioue, whoa Emma manner.
1a pleaded with you for an explanation, b
-o now demand II. 1t Is my right" Al
% drawing himself up proudly, he brol
~ his left suspender,
u "YOu speak truly" replied the girl
"a An explanation Of my action ia due 20
a. Know, then, that l am a victim
- heredity"
as, "0t what ~ asks Vivian.
' "Of heredity," repeats the girl
al what respectl" he demands, |
voice hoarse with Lsony.
"a. have" said the girl, Eteadying he
ly self against the piano, "inherited L
Id fathers snOre.'