The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-08-12
FAREWELL,

FAREwELL: II
81 90 tomorrow, II said, as we sat
down on a fat stone beside the road.
"Yes. SO | understand" ~
"And is that all yon have to say
Bell ?"
81 wish you a pleasant journey
and a safe return. she said, bending
over her flowers to arrange them.
"When do YOU think you shall be
back. William 2"
This was not what | wanted.
Cousin Bell was too quiet and calm.
1 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.
l determined to touch her some
way, even q: the expense ofthe truth.
dPerhaps never, Bell II succeed
in business, / shall most probably
settle there, marry there, and live
and die there.
She did not answer.
"Wouid you care for that, my
pretty cousin?"
'Huml / don't know. | wish l
could find another violet TO match
this. Look, what beauty J"
"You would care-you do care--
tbongh Won sit there talking about
your flowers !" ] said hastily. Tell
me, don't you love me little bit,
dear Bell 2"
drew her nearer, aad a soften
ing.yielding look came over her face.
@And if / did, William ?"
at would make me happier IN
one way, Bell for should feel that
nv Journey was only taken for your
good, and that in time you would
thank me for making ii. :"
"What do you mean, William 7
Have you lost your senses? What
have | done, or said, or looked, to
make YOU think-what you have
Just said p
Il was saying it all for your good,
| blurted out sulkily. "And going
away for your good, too"
Because you thought ! loved you
100 much-was that it ?"
"Yes J"
"And so you were kindly going to
take yourself out of sight till | had
forgotten you 2"
j was silent.
"Oh, giant me patience !" she ex-
claimed; and then, as if | had stung
her to the very heart, she buried her
face in her hands. At last she look
ed up.
81 do not think you are to blame
for this-I suppose all men are so,
she said, so gently that she took me
by surprise. but | think we had
better part now. hope when we
meet again, you will know women
better than 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 towards me
with her foot.
Help yourself, William"
/ took up a daisy and violet and
put them in my bosom.
=
| wrote to my cousin several times
after had established myself in my
new home ia Ireland, but as she
contented herself by sending messag-
es in answer TO my sister Maggie (
letters, took the hint at last, and
followed her example. But her ST.
lence and her anger did for her what
her affection had never done; and
if ever dream of . happy homs
came into my mind rs / sat alone, il
was sure to be the face and form Of
Bell that beautified it. She still re-
mained unmarried. Three years
passed away, and during the sum
mer of the fourth / went for visit
to my country home-thinking fond
ly to myself that / would bring my
cousin with me when / returned and
keep her there with me forever.
1t so happened that Bell had jusi
returned from her spring trip to
town when l arrived, and nay favor
ite sister Maggie was only too GLAD
of an excuse to call upon her ano
see the recent fashions she had
brought ~ tA -
Il am obliged TO have an excuse
nowadays" she said with a merry
laugh, ''for Bell is very proud, anc
seems to forget that we used to play
together day after day at school.
/ often think / should like to reminc
her of it, but she has grown such I
fine lady / hardly dare"
Bell proud and a fine LADY,
could hardly imagine that.
1t was in the erchsrd that We met
well, cousin, she said smilingly
when you have locked at me Ions
enough, perhaps you viii talk to me
A penny Tor your thoughts"
They were not very gallant ones
l an afraid, for | was thinking thal
though you have grown very beau
tiful, Bell, you have also grown very
heartless."
She laughed carelessly.
And a perfect woman of th,
world.n
Thank you, sirm she answered
with a graceful. bend of the head
You are quite as complimentary IS
you used TO be, 4 see. But nevel
mind what 1 am, have been, or may
be. Tell me what YOU have beer
doing all these years ?".
Thinking of you Bell,n said
bluntly, but truly.
She changed color little, but soon
recovered herself.
1T strikes me that YOU might
have employed yourself better.
think the air is growing chilly-shall
we JOIN our friends and 90 back to
the house ?n
| placed myself in her way as she
turned.
Don't go just yet Bell. You are
not cold, though you affect to shiver
and you must hear what l have
come all this distance to say. vii
your"
She shrugged her shoulder. leaned