The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-01-19
HER FATHERS SHORE.
"GOod-by, McNulty :"

"Good-by, McNulty"'
The tall, lissome form of Esmeralda W.
Perkins was shapely outlined against vi
Wan McNulty's left ear as he stood that
beautiful June evening in the doorway Of
Brierton Villa hoping against hope, and
praying that something-he knew or
cared not what-might occur 20 sweep
from the horizon of his life that awful
sorrow that was hanging over it like
pall-a sorrow that would make every
day one of misery, every word of joy, that
others might utter, knell of despair.
They had quarreled, these two-they
who in the beautiful days of autumn,
when the leaves were turning golden,
when the hills were crowned with amber
light and the valleys seemed like huge
cups trimming over with purple haze,
and when the trotting record was low
cred to 2:0s3, had plighted their troth SO
willingly and yet so solemnly, thinking.
and rightly, too, that this blending for
ever of two hearts was a solemn, holy
act. one that should ever be looked back
upon in silent gratitude, and now they
were to part forever, take separate paths
on the eventful journey of life-that jour-
ney which they had hoped by constant
companionshipa and enduring love to make
one of ceaseless Joy and sweet content
But now all was changed, and the rose
tinted future which they had often pic
tured to themselves and talked about in
the calm hopefulness that only young
man an $15 month and pure, passion
less girl who can eat the bottom crust of
pie without culver can assume had
passed away forever, and in it's place
there was yawning chasm of despair
and grief.
81 can not 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 schooling her
self all the day to say, and seeing how
/ they had pierced like dagger that brave,
manly heart, she had thrown herself into
his arms, and as his white face, down
which the tears were streaming, lay upon
his heart, Vivian McNulty knew the
words which Esmeralda had spoken did
not come from her heart-knew that some
terrible mystery was enshroudng both
their lives in its darksome folds. And
as he held her sobbing in his arms the
light from the chandelier about them
streamed down in golden radiance upor
the broad, white brow from which the
fair hair waved away, fell across the long
strangely dark eyelashes, giving just {
CLEAN of the beautiful blue eyes beneath
across the sweet red mouth qniverine
like grieved child's. And then, as hi
bent forward tenderly to kiss away thu
tears, the girl had drawn back-not il
anger, but with an expression of unit
terable pain on her face, and spoken tn,
three words with which this chapte
opens:
Good by, McNulty"'
He had not felt such a shock since meet
ing his father in the giddy whirl of
poker game and going home with moth
ing but a contrite heart ana lead-pen
Gil to show for his months wages. II
still held Esmeralda's hands in his, am
the girl was looking up to him with eye
that were fearless now, but in thei
depths there was look of frozen horro
amy-bustle has got-loose expression, tina
pierced his very soul. And when he ha
| asked for an explanation of her words
not demanded it as right, but pleade
for it as a favor-she had only shfte
uneasily on to the other foot and burs
into a storm of sobs.
Il can only tell you," she murmuret
when finally his agonized entreaties ha
moved her to speech, that our marriag
would render your life one of constan
misery; that it is better that We shout
part now than commit an error whic
eternity alone could efface. You vii
never know how l love you, Vivian
never know that dreadful agony that thi
separation is causing me. God knows
would greet death with a smiling fac
and outstretched arms tomorrow no,
that you are lost to me forever, for wha
is life without your love and p-esenc
and kisses but an unceasing torture?
| loved you less, if your love were no
enshrined in my heart as something t
be worshipped everymore, l would no
take this step. 1t was wrong, YER
wrong, I know, to allow this love t.
overmaster my whole being, but it i
better to wreck one life than two, an,
so again | say, Good by, and. liftin!
her pure. sweet face to his, Esmerald
kissed him gently on the lips and turnet
to go.
Stop exclaimed Vivian in an imper
ious, whoa Emma manner. Il PLEADED
with you for an explanation. but now
demand it. 1t is my right" and, draw
ing himself up proudly, he broke his lef
suspender.
You speak truly replied the girl
can explanation of my action is due t.
you. Know, then, that am the victim
of heredity."
"Of WHAT" asks Vivian.
"Of heredity,' repeats the girl.
SIN what respect?" he demands, his
voice hoarse with agony.
Il have" says the girl, steadying her
self against the piano, ''inherited my
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