Daily Republican., 1885-07-25

door with their luxuriant brancf ca o
odorous crimson bloom white. fleec,
clouds of perfect june evening, npe,
with the last golden rays OF sunse
| Overhead, aud within, kneeline befor
the altar, listening reveren,ly to tb
solemn words of gray-haired clergy
man, her young lover, Brooke Stanfieid
| and-herself.
Then, almost before the marriag
vows had left their lips, her father ha,
followed and aDgrily forced her from
the brideR. om y side.
In vain had she wept, prayed ant
pleaded. He had taken her away TO 4
far corner of the world where Brook,
Stanneld ciuld not find and claim her
ana there he kept her until az last
mere child OF seventeeu--she had Weld
ed to the alternate threats and persua
stonS CT her father and consented IL
renounce the man abe had married
Some sort of legal proceedings follow.
ed, and then May was told that she " u.
free again. Fre.! the word seemed bur
hollow mockery to her, but since hsl
father appeared tranquil and satisfiea
once more, she tried to bear her fate
bravely and seemed happy.
The marriage had been q secret one,
and 80 quietly had everything connected
with that ill fated episode been dons
that but few had ever known of 1t al
all.
To the world May was still, and had
ever been, Miss Sanditer. Aud no one
seeing her as she appeared this Jun,
morning, hsr slender, girlish figure
robed in pure white, with floating blue
ribbons, a narrow ribbon of the same
color tying back her golden curls IN
childish fashion, and her fair, swee,
face sparkling with smiles and merri
IN ent, would have dreamed that she had
secret in her life-that she had beer
bride, and was now woman OF
twenty two, with heart full of passion
ate regret and sorrow for wha,
might have been."
Glancing at her 'ather'I, fine proud old
face, unbsnt now in pleasant cuuys a.
tion, she wondered If he rem bored wha
day IL was. She could not tell. But as
he rose from the table he remarked
| with seeming carelessness:
81 would like to see you presently ir
the library. May, If you can maks it
convenient
She gave him smiling nod, and In
the courss of half an hour slipp ped In af
ter him. wondering what was wanted
of her now.
He was seated at the table writing
but as he heard ber enter, turned
about with preliminary cough
aud spoke with some embarrassment:
l am expecting Mr.. Walton, the
banker, from Cincinnati here some tins
to day" he began hesitatingly. "He
will be accompanied by young friend
of bis-a relative, in fact-of whom h
speaks in the highest praise. i'll and
him as agrees BILE as expsct to, shal
invite him to become my guest for a few
days--"
What ! another one? Oh, papa +,
interrupted May, her azure eyes light
Ing M for an instant with q CLEAN oi
mischief.
Old Jud 90 Saudifer colored slight
Listen, May" he said, assuming q
shade of stern ness, for he knew full well
that she guessed his motive in constant
ly inviting attractive young gentlemen
of high standing to his house
!" This young man speak of has seen
you somewhere, 1t appears, and doe.
you the honor to admire you particu
larly. Now, May, 1 hope-I wish
ahem"
What is his name, papa?" she ssk
cd, as the dignitied old gentleman paus
ed to clear his throat, hardly KNOWN,
how to proceed.
Ills name? Let's see-I believe 1
was not mentioned. No." taking
letter from the drawer and glancin
over it. Walton simply alludes to hir
as a friend and relative but that
lquite sufficient. I would welcome an
one to my home with such an indorse
ment from him. And, May" plunpin
boldly into the subject all at once
here Is nothing would please nae 8,
much as to see you the wife"
But his daughter interrupted hin
there with a strangely grave and earn
est look on her sweet young face.
Papa-stop I" she exclaimed, ad
vancing q step and lifting her smal
white hand warningly. Do you re
member what day this Is ?"
He reflected for q second, then ,
half. shalned flush ro.e to his brows.
That is past and done with loni
ago." he murmured, averting his eye
from her earnest, reproachful gaze. "I
is time you thought of your future"
- l have no future-not in the way
you meap," she returned pathetic Ally
No, papa, that was q girlish, roman
tic marriage, 1t is true, yet every day
that l live proves how real was my
love for the husband chose then-from
whom l am now parted forever.
love him as well as to-day, ay, bett.
than l did the day you forced me from
| his side."
"May /" cried her father in surprise
and CONSERVATION.
at is true, papa" she went on ex
citedly. Because l have kept silent
you thought, perhaps, 1 had forgotten
Not for one hour have forgotten him
have said nothing because 1t would dc
no good to talk of it, and 1t would only
have made you unhappy, but 1 have
remembered just the same. No, papa,
it IL all no use. will 60 on entertain
ing your gentlemen friends Just as |
have done forever, If you wish; but
you must not hope that l shall ever
love or marry one of them. No; 1 am
a woman now, capable Of knowing my
own heart, surely, and l say TO you
now that were l again to meet Brooke
Stanfield, and should his love have
proved az true as mine, l should wed
him again and defy any power but
death 10 part usT"
She turned to leave the room, her
cheeks burning, her blue eyes flashing
and her bosom heaving with the ex
citement of the moment. She did not
wish to reproach her father, but the
memories of the love that she had lost
through him were very strong upon her
this morning, so she thought her safest
Dlan Law IN fiipht