Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1884-07-04
GLITTER AND GLARE.

"Not even to make my last hour
peaceful, Allan"
"Father, it would darken my whole
future
at would glorify it, my son! [ have
lived many years and met 50 many
women that their hearts have been as
open books to me; but in no cline, in
no land to which | have Travelled, have
| found the purity, the perfection OF
innocence, the warmth of heart, the
nobility Of womanhood, which is the
portion of my ward, my adopted child
| would fain leave to your care this
fair young blossom, which 1 have
guarded so carefully. my son. Lying
upon bed from which | will never
rise, Allan, l would fain give to your
keeping treasure beyond aught l can
leave you; noble-hearted, true-souled
comforter"
Father" the young mans tones vi
brated with emotion, you have been
SO kind to me always; YOU have taught
me to discern between right and
wrong; would there be no wrong in
this ?-would | not slay the fairest
hopes of my life by consenting? This
..;.-1. .4-ss
Asa heart
more than can tell you to rcfasv ,ouf
slightest wish, but | cannot bind my
youth in fetters that would so surely
chafe my manhood L cannot WOO
this girl or ask her for my wifel l
cannot, father"
"You refuse what would have been
a richer possession than all the wealth
of the Dreemesl But, on the brink of
death, cannot quarrel with my only
child, Thank heaven that Leoline
knows nothing of this! You will be
a brother to her, Allan? Her father
was one to me-she will be lonely =
alone, when | am-dead"
81 will promise that, gladly the
young nan answered; 81 can promise
that. father Leoline shall have my
best and tenderest care"
From the doorway slight form
darted then "a form which neither the
dying man nor his son had seen; and a
girl, with white, quiyering features,
and dark, distended eyes, fled from the
darkened chamber.
An hour later and Harold Dreeme
whispered family:
"Allan, give me your hand. Call
Leoline.'
And Allan grew white, as touching
a silver bell which would summon his
ather's ward, he bent over the face
the pillows.
Through the long hours they
latched there, these Two, and in the
scay of the opening day they knelt
together over the body of the dead, the
girl sobbing passionately, the man
shakingin his silent grief. On the
calm face of Harold Dreeme lay
deaths gray shadow. On the heart of
the girl who knelt there lay one as
dark and dreary, but without its calm;
for with her whole heart she loved
.his man who scorned to call her
wife!
Left early an orphan by her artist
father. she had been taken to this
home of luxury by her fathers friend,
and she had grown to regard the
young heir as a sort of hero worthy OF
her worship-a knight who would
some time stoop to her and glorlfy her
life with his affection. When she LETT
her knees her girlish face was set and
cold-white with her great anguish
but calm through womanly pride-and
STOPPING to kiss the forehead Of her
guardian, she left the father to hisson
and glided out.
And that night there was excite
lnent and fear in the Dreeme mansion
Leoline Elmar could not be found,
,earch as they might. In thellght OF
that summer day she had gone FORTH
Fearing with her naught save the
memory of Allan's words: 81 do not
love this grill Let my heart choose
its mater
/. Allan sought vainly for trace o
ser. and wondered as vainly why she
lad fled.
"All gaslight and glare| thought
Allen Dreeme, half wearily standing
among the guests in the Irich salon OF