Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-03-10

i
mamma; consequently during my So
journ at Beech Hal was free to pass
the early morning hours in whatever way
suited my fancy, else had not dnied to
appoint the NEE ing with Hllarie, for
Glare was a very exac,ing little bride
elect, ind cd.
Alb, that delightful morning in Alton
Woods the first Of many such when
Hilarie aud l was or Tered, sketchbook
in hand, among the tall, straight pines,
the shadows of their mnmuring branches
flecked with amber CLEANS of sunlight
or threaded our way through fern and
bracken to some specially dainty bit OF
woodland scenery. where STATED on
fallen tree trunk, or moss-grown bowlder,
with waving grasses around her and
velvet masses at her feet, Hilarie Graeme
seemed to my excited fancy the embodi-
ment OF some fairy deDi4en Il the forest.
None knew but ourselves of thesa
daily meetings. Though 10 words had
passed between as to the ne ID Of secrecy,
we had tacitly accepted it ~ fact, and
| apparently our mutu ] lad q r.nce to
each other when in the society VI the
BelesfJrls VAS "a marked as ever.
Sonnet mes my conscience smote me
that in her sweet innocence Hilnrie sub
mitted herse 50 entirely t my guidance,
for L knew if we vera discovered hard
thiogs might be said of her, bat was
prepared to defend her with my hfs if
ueed he, and hall and wood being SO
isolated discovery vas scarcely to be-
feared
Days had heightened into weeks, until
more than a month had elapsed since
my arrival at Beech Hall, and sill Glare
urged me TO 'stay little longer" unl I
sgsinst my better judgment stnyed OH.
unable TO deny myself those blissfl
hours pent with Hillri', my be nut full
love Yes, it had come to that. knew
now that Hilarie was more to ma tllal
I lure ever liza | lee or ever could be,
and the knoNl dge that WIS in honor
bound t. the one and dare not reveal my
secret to the other wa' daily, hourly
torture to me. Heavei knows | tried
hard then to be loyal to my ,roth; but
Clare's evidences of affection grew daily
more distasteful to me, and l found my.
selfconstanuy comp ring her unfavorably
with beautiful, high.souled Hilarie.
ftncied, too, that my betrothed had be.
come conscious of some change in the
warmth Of manner toward her, for lat.
terly she became strangely plle and
auxious-eyed, while q new cl nging ten.
ilerness In her demeanor towards Inc
seemed aconscious reprOach to my faith.
lessness Yet how could wound sensi.
tive Hilarie by suddenly ending those
met tings in Alton Woods. Clearly il
was my duty to return to town at once,
and on the afternoon OF the day on
which | arrived at this determination
went for last stroll through the grounds,
gong mechanically in the direction Of
Ait N Woods.
| came suddenly upon Hilaire, who
seemed intently reading or examining
4 scrap of writing in her hand. She
started and climsoned guilty., thought,
1t my approach, crushing tho paper
: thlessly in her hand. Half jealous, ]
inquired:
Have surprised secret, Hilarie ?"
NO. she answered, still confused.
they were merely some lines l had
written.
"Hilaire = poetess p l exclaimed.
lughing.
ScriJimus indocti d0ct.que poen,dta
Dassim," she answered playfully, and
the incident faded from my mind, TO be
when and how recalled / little then i'm.
agined
Hilarie received the news of my up.
preaching departure in a strangely
sl,nt mood, which piqued me not lit
lie, especially when found she was alb
sent from the dinner-table on this, tht
last night of my stay. Glare, too, was
away. When 1 had communicated tc
her my resolve to leave by the y :5t
train ON the morrow she had kissed me
as though she were losing me forever,
md her white, wan face and pitiful blue
yes touched me so deeply that ha6
taken her in my arms and kissed away
her tears, promising to return long be.
fore the day fixed for our wedding.
"Oh, Gerald p she sobbed, 81 could
not give you up, dear, now," and again
[ wondered could she have guessed my
secret Still pale and trembling with
agitation she had gone to her room and
NJ dinner her maid informed lis that
Miss Glare had given orders not to be
disturbed, and Hilarie, being inquired
for. was found to have gone ont some
hours previously and had not vet re.
turned. Still, conversation was lively
at the dinner-table, when we we're sud.
denly startled by hurried tramping Of
,eet and confusion of voices. broken
sud lenIy by the unceremonious entrance
of Mark Thompson, under gardner al
tie Hall, who. GREATNESS with excite.
ment, informed us that "there was sum.
NUT wrong up at the Alton Woods. .
man had been murdered, sur, and Miss
Hilarie she be wi him and sent me on
for h-lp." l was already at the door.
NV one thought OF Hilarie, Mr.. Beres.
ford and the men servants following.
when Clare. white and shiyeripa. mel
mo as though she would 90 with me.
She looked so terribly i'll that I begged
her 10 return to her room but she shook
her head, saying, 81 must 20. Hilarie
must not he there alone :" and so Clare
and were the first to reach the entrance
of the wood, the first to see Hilarie with
her face buried in her hands kneeling
basi,le the murdered man sobbino bif.