The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-09-26
grandfather, and the waves and sea-


trouble came into her heart. True,
in years she was almost child, but
her life had been SO perfectly isola-
ted, and she had been thrown so
much upon her own resources, that
a woman's deep power ofloving lay
dormant in the child's breast long
before the voice and the smile of
Richard Lorimer had awakened
them to life.
With the intuitive pity that wo-
man ever feels for the suffering,
there had at last grown a deeper
feeling, since she had been his al
most constant companion during
the few weeks that he spent beneath
her grandfather's roof. Often, when
he talked to her of the world and of
his home, there would come Bit
ter feeling of regret that she was so
different from it all; and yet in her
very simplicity lay the charm that
attracted him. Lorimer had lived
much among the gay and frivolous
throngs that make up the "beau-
monde" its hollow hearts and un-
meaning frivolties had wearied him.
He had been 80 long the prey of
ambitious mothers and chaperons,
that it was a delightful change to
find in this simple-hearted Amy the
loveliness of face and character that
he had so vainly sought. An ill
ness that had nearly proved fatal,
and left him almost a wreck of his
former self, had induced him to try
a more genial climate.
Florida was the chosen spot, and
though not finding litarally "the
elixir of life" in her soft bloom and
perpetual verdure, his languid spir-
its were fast reviving. Perhaps an
other cause had as great an effect,
for no "prima Donna" ever charmed
him with her operate airs as did
the bird-like notes of Amy, as they
daily floated up to the window from
the path that led to the seaside.
They sat there-these two so un-
like, the man of the world and the
child of nature-and very probable
had old Lee witnessed the scene he
would have wished Amy far away;
but he was engaged with the fishing
tackle, and so they were left alone,
Lorimer read and talked to her, and
Amy felt as if life had new inter
est. She had known almost moth
ing of books, and now her eager
manner betrayed how delighted she
would be to possess the means of
culture. Long sojourns in other
lands had made him familiar with
I
the scenes portrayed so vividly by
Rogers, aid as the blue eyes ofAmy
wandered over the waves, 80 long
the only music she had cared to
hear, longing of something bey-
ond them came into her heart. It.
ally, land of romance, there love and
passion made woman's life. Poor
Amy, that day was the beginning
of new life; and beside the moan
ing sea she bade farewell forever TO
childhood's simple dreams and fan
cies. From that hour, in which
she listened to the passionate words
of Richard Lorimer, she was chan
ged being. Long hours she would
sit upon the spot gazing far out up
on the sea, and, from a busy little
companion of her grandfather, Amy
Lee had become a dreamer. Often
the old man would find her there
and chide her for her neglect OF
him but the pleading look and
kiss of the old childish affection
told what words did not utter.
Old Lee would shake his head and
mutter, sadly: "My little Amy
cares no longes for her old grand
father, that handsome stranger, Lori
mer, has stolen the heart of my
darling" A blush and somestimes
flood of tears would be the only
reply.
Lorimer had gone but his part,
ing words were eloquent with affec,
ton. How well she remembered
them "God bless my darling
Amy, and keep her safe until we
meet again" A tiny ring and o
miniature were the only mementoes
of the past, yet hope ever whispered
of future of happiness.
Our story changes from the sea
, side to the city of W. II
one of the upper rooms of evil
liard's" two gentlemen sat appar
emily engaged in animated conver
: sation. Upon the table was placed
wine and other luxuries of bachel
orhood, and everything denoted
' the wealth and taste of the occu
, pants. The faces of one of tn,
: friends was rather thoughtful in ex
+. preston, although smile frequent