Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-06-26
MY FOLLY.
by ALFRED YOUNGE.

pearance gave me quite 6hOCk.
My black hair had become loosenet
in my rapid walk through the wind
my eyes were glazing with indignsn,
fire, and my lips were colorless and
tightly compressed. l could not hell
thinking, at the moment, of Nemesis
Medusa and all the awful faces 1 had
ever heard tell of.
But did not feel like laughing.
Far from it
was furious, indignant and madly
Jealous.
Jealous of whom ?
Of Mason Holden, the man who had
told me he loved mo as he had never
loved ano her woman, and had asked
me to be his wife
was staying at the great hotel at
Lawrence by the sea with my mother,
aud Mason had come down the evening
previous to pass few days and be
near his little love-" as he had told me
scarcely twent, fur hours before.
All, what stu III wicked nonsense his
words seemed To NE now!
Mason had gone on fishing excur-
sion with party of gentlemen for the
morning, but as we came out OF the
break fast-room, he had taken my hand
and said In his winning way:
Ruth dear, shall be back in time to
take you for drive on the beach this
afternoon. viii you be ready at three
O'Clock Pr
7 answered In the affirmative, and we
parted as happy as two larks at high
noon.
need not tell you that ] was ready,
dressed in my very bettermost and
seated on the piazza as the clock struck
three.
But though looked down at the sea,
off towards the stables and along tie
shining road, no Mason put in an ap-
pearance.
BY half past three l had become very
anxious at four l was desperate.
What had become of Mason
Had any accident happened him?
At last began to fancy that the
people on the piazza we're cycling me
askance they must have seen that l
was waiting for Mason, and thought
that one or two girls, who were not
blessed with lovers, smiled in covert,
scornful way.
could remain there in that pitiful
p osition no longer.
But where should 60?
MY mother was passing the day In
town and could not bear the dismal
solitude of our rooms.
At last determined to walk off my
anxiety and chagrin in The dense pine
woods which verged upon our hotel at
the back.
slipped away unseen and was soon
lost in the outrageous shades of the
fragrant forest. :.
/ selected the charming road that led
through the stately trees, the road that
[ ought TO have been bowling over at
that very moment by Mason's side.
had not gone far when heard the
unm istakable rattle of dog.cart and
the tramp of horses hoofs advancing
at rapid pace behind me.
To this day I cannot tell why / did
it but on the impulse of the moment l
,,arted out of the road and dropped
down behind screen of rank under
growth.
On came the vehicle L parted the
uuivering twigs; shadow fel
ath wart me and my heart stood still
with a sickening thrOb.
Seated aloft on the splendid dog-cart
l knew no well, was my lover, Mason
Holden, and the very prettiest woman l
ever laid eyes on.
As they spun by, my ignoble tiance
.l 1nNlyA al intn hia ~
ions beautiful face as he had a right
to look only at me.
Then they we're gone, and l covered
there covered with the dust of their
flashing wheels.
How ever got back to the hotel l
cannot tell, and as entered our private
sitting room, I saw my white, convul-
sed face in the mirror.
NV mother had not returned, and l
threw myself upon the sofa in the most
indescribable misery.
Totally unable to think, i lay there for
what seemed to me endless hours of ago
ny, cosnizant Of nothing until the door
opened and | knew that Mason had en-
tered unannOunced.
did not raise my eyes and he DID
not come to see me as was his wont.
No, upon reaching the centre Of the
room he paused.
Ruth p he began.
I made no reply.
"Kuth."
WE'LL"
e" have to ask favor of you, very
great favor
Here lie hesitated, but knew what
was coming.
Ruth" he went on, after an awk.
ward pa use, is it not better that we
should pause before committing the IA
tai error of our lives ?'
"What error ?" asked, coldly.
"Of marrying when there Is no real
10 We between III"
felr IN if were dead as answered.
"Certa inly.'
"Then yoIl yield me my liberty ?"
"With all my heart"
"Tha nix you "
He bowed and turned to leave the
room.
UStop !'I shrieked !" stop Take
your ring hate it ! hate it -
. "Hate what, my darling ?'
The voice seemed 20 come to me
through u dense veil of fog.
] sprang up to a sitting posture, be-
widered, dazed, Mortified.
Though the consciousness rushed up
on me that 1 had been asleep and dream
ing, Mason Holden stood before me.
1t was no who had spoken. :
And horror of horrors the fair crea-
ture who had usurped my place upon