Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1884-02-21


got on my feet somehow, and with my
heart torn between wild desire to go
into that hall and wish to sink utter.
ly away from human kind ! stumbled
out of the room.
The door was closed behind me and
found myself almost in darkness, as
the hall was but dimly lighted, paused
a moment and then ! heard the faint
sound of quick breathing; another
heart was beating as violently as my
own. For once in my life knew what
to do with my arms. caught hold Of
her, scarcely know how. The dark
ness gave me the courage and | held
her in close clasp and pressed my lips
to her cheek in three or four rapid, half
frightened kisses, before she could free
herself from my embrace.
"There, there Mr. Hill," she said,
with faint merry laugh, "don't be so
bashiul again. I'm sure you are bold
enough now T.
"Have | paid my postage?" STAN
mered.
"lndeed, yes enough and to spare
Come, let us 90 to the parlor,"
She led me in willing prisoner, and
The rest of the evening was her bound
slave; her partner in all games, her
companion in the dance wherein ex.
celled the country boys and glorified in
my accomplishment, and, at last,
crowning delight OF the evening, her
escort home.
This was all. rhe next day return
ed to my home in the city, and Msble
Byrne became only a memory; strong
at first, fainter as the time went on, but
sweet always. When | saw other girls
| compared them mentally with the
picture my Imagination painted Of
Mable, and they never seemed half so
fair and sweet as she.
But then did not see many other
girls. My bashfulness, instead of dimin.
ishing, seemed rather to increase upon
me as the years went 10y. | avoided
society, and was so much Of recluse
from the ladies that my mother was
quite worried lest should become a
Confirmed old bachelor. Perhaps one
reason why retained my difiidence
was that my pursuits were among books
and not among people. | had made the
science OF geology my study, and at
the age of twenty. found myself
in a comfortable position as assistant
professor in one OF our best colleges, the
salary of which, with my own income
added, making me so far at ease that I
decided to devote my summer vacation
to a tour in Europe.
Equipped with bag and hamper, An.
gust found me making pedestrian tour
OF Switzerland, with a special view to
the study Of its glacial ~ tom and litho
logy. avoided the well-travclcd ways,
thus escaping the society OF all other
tourists, and was therefore utterly
amazed when one evening. az / drew
near the little house which was my TEN
porary abiding place a tall form e,rode
toward me out of tho larkness and 70
hearty voice cried out
"Jim Jim Hillr
"What is III" replied, with q hsi.
nervous start.
"Ah ! thought it was my old friend.
Have you forgotten Tom Byrne2"
Of course not, for bad met him or.
casionally since we were boys, and was
heartily glad to see my former oomrade,
always one Of the beet Of companions.
81 saw your name on the book at the
inn" he explained; was cure it must
be you. AT any rate, thought would
start out 10 meet you"
"But how came you here p inquired,
sin this out of the way corner of the
world2"
Because it is out of the way. Mable
and are making trip in search of the
picturesque. You know she is quite an
artist
So Mable was with him. My heart
gave curious thump, and for moment
could hardly make = sensible reply.
"Yes," he went on, "she ia so devoted
to her art that IL seems to quite absorb
her life. She has not thought Of mar
risge, and does not care in the least for
the ordinary run of society. She will
be glad TO see you, though, as you are
a man Of science he added, consnl
ingly.
Wewalked back together to the little
inn. and presently was shaking hands
with a beautiful and stately woman
whose bright, dark eyes flashed with
the intensity and Gre that had never