The Russellville Democrat., 1884-01-03


magnificent future before her; and be-
lieved it, too. When the goal was
reached, she said, il wished, she would
send me word. ! saw she was right
but was human and miserable, and
how sweet and tender she wasp'
Sand is that the endp' asked Bella,
who was thinking she must seem very
old and aunt-like to this man, or he
would never have confided SO foolish an
escapade.
II have never seen her since"
ssYou are still expecting itp''
II do not know what / expect.
have been to Europe three times.
have heard every debutante. She was
seventeen, or so, and of the kind Oh
beauty that might be of any age. The
world would be ringing with her name
if she were before it.
ssYou would know her againp"
+ "Know her!" he exclaimed, looking
down at her. "How strange question,
Here is the hulk Of an old boat, Miss
Summers; you look flushed and tired
Win you sit down? / do not dare ask
you what you think about this piece Of
foolishness."
at is Just that, isn't itp'' Then he
looked disappointed. ut is very pretty,
YOU know.h That was not what she
wished to say, either, so she went on:
"She would be twenty-five or more i
she is living
..She isn't dead!'' he exclaimed
"There was a promise about that She
has married, probably, some Prince OF
nobleman. I have about 500 photo.
graphs of the great ladies abroad; moi
one is she"
"She may have lost her voice; she
may be poor with that family she told
you Of, and too proud, in such q case,
to send you any message"
"That idea has never occurred to me
but / am rich now; could assume any
obligations. rvs
Il hardly like to suggest it. for il
may be mistake, and cause annoy.
ance," Bella began. She turned hel
head SO he could not see her face very
clearly. "But such person / once
knew about. She answers your de-
scription in some ways the time, the
age, the voice---but she was i'll and los'
s.Not married."
..No; do not be so eager about it, Mr.
Mcmillan; you are, indeed. boy. i
is only suggestion that may lead tt
nothing, or worse, to disappointment
You know have had good deal of ex'
perience, and since you have told mt
the story you must have little advice
too. She has probably changed in many
ways-in face, you may be sure; fol
such beauty as you describe is all light
and color, and goes. You are not the
same, either You have different tastes
and opinions. Six years is a life time
| at that age. You were younger than
your years then; you have made YOU
fortune since. Don't you know Captain
Thompson thinks there were never such
pumpkin pies as his mother used t.
make, nor such gingerbread, and dc
we not know he is unappreciatingly eat
ing better every day of his lifep" He
did not seem to heed this wisdom
much,
II shall not be easy until this thing
is settled one way or the other. / mus
see for myself. Will you give me this
informationp"
when we reach the house," she an
swered.
IF you could do it now l might bt
able to leave tonight he said.
| She took the notebook he had opened
and wrote few lines in it. She knew
that he would soon come to a blank
wall in his search for the unknown.
II was at the Centennial that month,
she suggested, gently.
Everybody was, | think, ;" said he
looking out at sea.
Bella sighed. "a cigar is a grea
comfort, isn't it?n she remarked; but hi
did not hear her; his head was in hi;
hands. She, perceiving he had forgot
ten her, let her eyes dwell on him. A
light came into them, her cheeks glowed
the depressed, resigned look Of woman
grieved passed away. She was AGAR
eighteen. and wildly indiscreet. But
yes, she would do the same again fol
| just that happy week.
"Well," said he, presently, ''shall WI
go onp"
When at length the struggling party
reached the home piazza, Mcmillan sale
to Bella:
II find / can make the six o'cloct
train, so I'll say good-by. If have !
guardian angel, that being must have
inspired me to tell you my story"
perhaps it was your bad angel
said she sedately.
"You are not encouraging. Well
again good-by."
She saw him drive off with Captain
Thompson, and then locked herself il
her room, and wept all the tears sh'
had been keeping back since she parted
from him in the gardens of the Centen
NAL
| Would you have told if you had beer
| she?-Detr0H Free Press.