Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-05-16


the open window with The damp even
ing breeze, and the pale light 81 the
rising moon filled Che room with soft
radiance, but she was unconscious 81
everything but her misery. u
The house was 30 quiet that The
sound Of q footstep crossing the hall
below fell upon her ear and aroused her
to momentary interest. She heard a
door open the library door and then
Is voice uttered d few words Of com mon
place greeting She remembered ii
well, and sprang to her feet with d des-
5perate, insane thought Of flight. But
the door was closed, the house was still
again and she twas calmer. e |.
She crossed the room listlessly and
drew back the curtain of the window
The scene without was. beautiful. The
moonlight lay broadly on the garden,
turning to silver the tops Of the trees
and making the little lake beyond look
like q great white pearl. Gazing earn
estly downward she saw tall, shadowy
figure, standing beneath the shade Of
the old elm. With q low cry she sprang
from the room and moment later stood
beside her lover.
"Come at last, my treasure" cried
Mark Winchester, folding her in his
arms. She remaiaed leaning passion
ately against his breast, while he
pressed passionate kisses upon her fore
head, cheeks and lips. I'LL
"Why. have you made me wait SO long,
darling? he said, softly, aud taking
both her hands in one Of his, he pressed
them to his lips. why, how cold you
are! How you tremble!". he continued
as she chung to him. :. What is the
matter, :May?" e;
i waited because I dreaded to meet
you, Mark" ,.. ...>..t.*}i. .r-e.
"Why? What do you mean"
And, b1kenly, through her tears and
sobs, she told him all. He did not
speak or stir while she was talking, and
when she had finished there was long
silence. She lacked courage to say
more-he would not ask. She repeated
the last words, "And tomorrow I
must give him my answer Still he
did not answer.
She looked up at him. In the din,
light she could see his rigid, agonized
face, white lips and cleaning eyes. She
stole her arms about his neck, and drew
his forehead down to her lips.
"Speak to me Mark ; say that you dc
not blame me-"
He knew then that she had decided
and what that decision was.
"And you will leave me, May, and
marry that old man."
Heaven pity me, Mark, for I must.
l will become his wife, and will be true
and faithful to him, for he will be kind
to me. You will hear of me thus, and
when you do remember my words, Mark
that you are my heart" =
II will remember, May. God help
US both, for I shall never forget you
They shall bury me with this upon my
heart. 80, 81
And he drew a tress Of soft brown
hair from his BOSOM.
For moment more-one little pre-
cious moment-he held her against his
heart and then kissed her, put her gent
~ from him, and was gone. =
For d moment she stood alone under
the trees, with clasped hands, and face
appraised to the quiet sky, and then she
turned silently toward the house. A
bright light from the library window
streamed down on her, and as she looked
up she saw the shadow Of q bowed fig
ure fall across the curtain. ,-,s,.,.
"Father you are saved!" she muir.
INJURED.
A hand was laid suddenly upon her
arm, and she started with low cry.
"Good evening, Miss May, said Colon
ell. Leighton. r'I have been seeking
you" &.c
. She bowed, and stood silently before
him with calm downcast face. a..
Il have been talking with your faith
en-" he continued, carelessly pulling q
rose from d bush near them "He told
me that you have promised to think OF
my proposal, and let us know tomorrow.
Is there anything I can say which will
influence you to form that conclusion in
my favor?" =. -. i, go: -, =
you cannot say anything which will
influence me in the least, Colonel Leigh
ton. As my father has said, you shall
have my answer tomorrow"
"He glanced at the young face so sad
in it's calm dignity, and then looked
down at his fingers again, which were
busy tearing to pieces the blossom he
held and allowing the crimson petals to
fall at his feet as if they were the frag-
ments Of the heart he was breaking.
i. In the long silence that followed she
glanced up at him once, with the thought
of flinging herself upon his mercy by
giving him her contidence; but the
stern expression of his face repealed
her. lss rs e. -. 1.z'a&ts. w.
Miss May" he said suddenly, you
are averse to this marriage. = ~ !,
His tone aided in rendering his words
an assertion. She was startled, but re-
piled quietly. "Do you think SOP"
II must be blind if I could think
otherwise" he continued, with sudden
energy, May Warren you know that
you hate me that you would rather die
than become my wife, were it not for
your fathers sake" hi @7 =;-5 * .s' 4.
Before she realized what she was do
ing the; monosyllable Eyes" slipped
from her lips. x. I. I: 4.
land in doing this do ron realize
how you would wrong us both ?"
She was silent. ny j. II 5s5s sa5. 5 s isz
Tt shall never lie Ishal never call
you my wife, knowing that you do not
love nethat your heart lis not ii my
Keeping. I will not tell you of my
hopes, how Z have dreamed that my last
days would be my happiest ones il
would not interest you. NowI have
only to say that You are as free as if ]
had never seen your sweet face
He paused for q reply, but she made
none, Bewildered by her position, she
did not know what to say
I know that I have only myself te