Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-04-11

ana sister, bernard Salu, ms mOIner
was not well and he had sent for
physician, whom he was expecting
every moment. II see him coming
now" said May, glancing from the
window. The artist stepped from the
house to meet the physician. AS soon
as his back was turned May got up,
and lifting the covering from the easel,
revealed the beautiful face beneath.
Clifton sprang to his feet with an ex>
clamation on his lips She dropped
the covering AMI pointed toward the
gate. Bernard was coming in with
the physician; when they stepped
within the room May and Clifton were
conversing lightly, carelessly, with no
trace of their impolite investigation
upon their faces.
A week passed and Weston had not
returned, Clifton began to think that
the game was played out of bis hand,
and his disappointment was great. He
thought of going away, and called at
the Moreland mansion to bid May
good-by. Should he tell her aught,
save good-bY? He loved her, why
not tell her that, also? His was, by
no means, hopeless love, for he could
not fail to see his presence was a pleas
ure to her. He could not fail to see
the glad light which came into her
eyes whenever theya met, and the
thought that those glorious eyes might
yet be the light of his life, thrilled his
heart with JOY unspeakable. He call
ed at Moreland mansion, these thoughts
passing through his mind. May was
out riding, they told him, and procur-
ing horse he rode out toward the
bluff. He felt sure he would fad her
there, and he quickened his pace, rid
ing on through the forest with heart
full of hope and joyful expectation.
At the foot of a hill, leading up to the
bluff, he dismounted, and tying his
horse to a bush, assembled on foot.
Yes, she was there, but not alone.
Her companion was the handsome art
ist, Bernard Stanley, and Clifton'E
heart beat fast, and then stood still
with namelees agony, at the sight Of
the two. They were sitting Oh theil
horses; May was looking far out over
the waters whiched rolled their wave:
of beauty below. One hand rested in
that of her companion, whose fine
handsome face was turned to her. He
was speaking in a low tone, and Cliff
ton saw him place ring on his fail
companions finger. "You will veal
this always May as pledge
the last word did not reach Clifton 81
softly was 1t spoken, but he saw May
face then, turn toward her companion
radiant and beautiful. He turned
suddenly, walked back to the foot o
the hill, mounted his horse, and rod
away with his hat pulled down owe
his white, proud face, as though h
would not that the light of day SHOULD
see the misery written there. o bitter
bitter Weakening! His idol had fallen
with crash that stunned his yer,
soul. He scarcely felt that he suffer
ed, so deadened was every sense by it
fall. He scarcely felt what he ha,
lost; he had vague idea that life wa
a blank, forever, evermore. He reach
ed his hotel, and penning May note
told her that he CAD given up all hop
of Weston's return, and babe her good
by. Then he took the train whicl
had just arrived and was soon fyinI
away, away, he knew not, cared no
: where, SO that he left forever the spo
where all beauty and brightness ha
, fled from his soul.
: Bernard had placed the ring o
r Mays finger with these words: "Yo
will wear this always May, as a pledg
Of my unfailing friendship. Lover
r place a pledge like this on the hand
t they love, We know nothing oflovt
' but in my soul feel it cannot be
holier feeling than that which binds U
, together, pure undying friendship.
May had accepted the ring, had ar
I preciated the sentiment, and that wa
: all.