Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-05-31
PASSING SHADOWS.

Several years ago was returning t.
my western home after summer spen
in the east doing tho watering-places
A friend was accompanying me, and a.
we were lounging in sleeper we botl
dropped off into reverie.
The train was slowing up at a small
country resort. raised my window
and looked out. On the platform a,
the station saw three young girls ac.
companied by an escort; they wer.
laughing mirthfully over an attempt Of
one of the girls to climb upon barre
standing on end under the cornice oi
the station. The sun was shining glor.
iously, but little shower had driven
the party beneath the cornice for pro-
lection.
At last the young girl gained hei
footing and stood VIGOROUSLY on the
barrel; then glancing into the cars she
evidently saw the amusement she had
provoked, for slight shade of crimson
flashed into her cheeks. This young
lass, with her peach-bloom visage,
somehow drew my eager attention,
and. although looked on her for only
a minute, at most, l thought her an
angel. She was clad in some white.
creamy substance which fell about her
graceful form. | grew enthusiastic,
and tried to find her eyes; they were
flashing here and there in their wild
mirth, seeming to outdo in brightness
the glistening shower which fell be-
tween us. But at last in their rapid
course they met mine, and fell des-
perately in love with their owner. But
the train was of again and the vision
gone.
After we had passed out of view
fell back into my seat and thought
again. My friend Duke aroused me by
saying: mot a bad-looking girl-that
one on the barrel.'
suppose said no to this exclama-
ton, but if did il was mechanical, for
was not in this world then.
We reached my home. Duke re-
mained my guest for few days and
then returned to his post in the east,
for he was an officer in the navy.
took up my routine duties of CONNER
cial life once more, and in short time
all remembrance of the maiden on ths
barrel had passed away to memory's
graveyard.
Three years elapsed and again | was
going to try the east for a month in
the winter to get change, which
needed after very close attention t.
business, so | wrote to my friend Duke,
at Washington, that l was coming on
to eat his salt for awhile.
During our various rounds in the
gay capital we were one evening at q
Mr. SIS house at reception.
moved through the assembled throne
of men and women. They were of all
nationalities brought together in tina,
cosmopolitan place.
After awhile I sought the conserva.
tory, where whiled away the time eat.
ing an ice and chatting with little
French lady. had not been there
long before Duke came sauntering in
with gentleman on his arm, whom he
presented to mademoiselle; he remain,
ed moment and gave me a look which
meant, Come with me!' and with ar
apology to mademoiselle took his
arm and walked off
What do you mean, Duke" said
''by rushing fellow away in this man,
ner from a bewitching creature like
mademoisellep Have you something
"Yes, my boy" he replied. Come
with me and guarantee that what
give you in exchange will prove equal
iiy as captivating to your susceptible
heart. I've got settler for you!''
He led me through several rooms ant
finally stopped within very diml,
lighted apartment. The object of hi
search was at the farther end of thi.
room in bay-window that was raised
letting the moonbeams fall across the
rich carpet, and half within the shad
ow ! saw woman sitting; man wa.
leaning in the partial darkness al the
back Of her chair.
l was presented, delicate hand was
extended into the light and soft voice
which seemed part of the moonlight
bade me be seated. sat down on a
divan near her. Before was aware o.
it Duke had quilted US and the gentle.
man at her back had excused himself
and gone away.
When my companion spoke it was
with voice like the tinkle of silver.
She was not stranger to me. Oh, no
She was one of those beings we dream
of and learn to know and love long be-.
fore we meet them in flesh.
She sat there as she talked, towing
with some roses on her corsage, when
one of the delicate buds fell from the
bunch resting there and rolled TO my
feet. As picked it up she leaned that
perfect head into the light. and, bend.
ing over, asked for the truant rose.
did not give it to her, but sat there
gazing into that beautiful face, through
those eyes into her very soul, and In
that glance knew that before me sal
the woman whom had learned to
love the one other time our eyes had
met! Finally, l became more com.
posed and stammered out something
about memories in which she had tax.
en- part.
She answered that somewhere be.
fore. in dream or somewhere else,
she had seen my face-had known II
well.
Then told her the story of the
maiden on the barrel and the man on
the train. Her face lighted up; she
sighed, and thought it was sigh Of
love for that long time ago. that mo
ment In the past.
All sorts Of fanciss were running
sh.ccsh NV hrsiu. when from out IL.