The Washington critic., 1885-08-13
FAREWELL.

al go to morrow" said, as we sat
down on flat stone beside the road.
Eyes, so under, tand."
"And is that all you have to say,
Bellr'
az wish you pleasant journey and a
safe return" she said, bending over her
flowers to arrange them. "When do
you think you shall be back, Will.
| lamp"
This was not what wanted. Cousin
Bell was too quiet and calm. wanted
her to feed my craving vanity by some
look or word, or tear Of love, that |
could carry away with me to feast on
and she would not. determined to
touch her some way, even Mt the ex-
pensc of the truth.
"Perhaps never, Bell II | succeed
In business | shall most probably settle
there, marry there, and live and die
there"
She did not answer.
"Would you care for that, my pretty
cousin ?n
"TIum doh't know. | wish |
could find another violet to match this.
Look, what beauty !"
you would carCx-you do care
though you sit there taking about your
flowers !" | said, hastily. 'Tell me,
don't you love me II little bit, dear
Bell?"
| drew her nearer, and softening,
yielding look came over her face.
"And IL did, William"
st would make me happier in one
way, Bell, for / should feel that my
journey was only taken for your good,
and that in time you would thank me
for making it,"
"What do you mean, william? Have
You lost your senses! What have |
done, or said, or looked, to make you
think-what-whaty you have just said?''
81 was saying it all for your good"
blundered out, sulkily. "And going
away for your good, too"
"Because You thought loved you too
much-was that it?"
"Yes."
"And so you were kindly going to
take yourself out of sight until [ had
forgotten you?"
was silent.
ooh, grant me patience! she ex-
claimed; aud then, as IL | had stune
face in her hands. AT last she looked
up.
) II do not think you are to blame fol
) this-I suppose all men are so,' SHE
said, so gently that she took me by
surprise. bat think we had bette
part now. ! hope when we NEE
again you will know women better thar
you do now"
"Will you give me flower, Bell p
| asked, feeling with strange per.
versity, just at that moment, that
would have died to win her. She smiled
and pushed them toward me with he
foot
"Help yourself, William"
took up daisy and a violet and pu
them in my bosom.
wrote to my cousin several time!
after had established myself in my
new home in Ireland, but as she con
tented herself by sending messages il
] answer In my sister Maggie's letter
| took the hint at last and followed he
, example. But her silence and her an
ger did for her what her affection ha,
never done, and il ever u dream Of ;
happy home came into my mind az
sat alone, it was sure to be the face anC
form of Bell that beautilied il. Sh
still remained unmarried. Three year
passed away, and during the summe
of the fourth went for visit to m,
| country home, thinking fondly to my
| self that / would bring my cousin witt
} me when | returned, and keep he
, there with me forever.
r 1t so happened that Bell had just re
: turned from her spring trip to tow
when arrived, and my favOrite siste
, Maggie was only too glad of an eXcus
+ to call upon her and see the recent fash
ions she had brought.
! IL am obliged to have an excuse
nowadays" she said, with merr,
! laugh, for Bell is very proud, an,
seems to forget that we used to play to
gether day after day at school. 1 Oftel
2 think should like to remind her of il
] but she has grown such fine lady
+ hardly dare"
D Bell proud and Il fine lady coul
t hardly imagine that.
5 1t was in the orchard that we met.
"Wel, cousin" she said smilingly
'when you have looked at me Ion
enough, perhaps you will talk to me.
penny for your thoughts
"Fhey we've not very gallant ones,
am afraid, for was thinking tina
. though you have grown very beautiful
Bell, you have also grown very heart
less"
She laughed carelessly.
, "And perfect woman Of the world.
"rhank you, sir - she answered
with graceful bend OF the head. "Yo
, are quite as complimentary rs you uset
to be, see, But never mind what
am, have been, or may be. Tell m
what you have been doing all thes'
, years"
"Thinking OF you, Bell" said
bluntly but truly.
She changed color little, bat sool
recovered herself.
at strikes me that you might hay
air is growing chilly-shall we Join on
/ friends and go BACK to the houseY"
| placed myself In her way rs sh
turned.
Don't go Just yet, Bell. You an
not cold, though You affect to shivel
and must hear what have come al
this distance to say. VIII yon?"
She shrugged her shoulders, leane
against tree and looked out towar
the sunset west.
do you remember our evening
long agoY" asked as our eyes turne
towards the sinking sun, "Those wer
! nlpasant IaUs -