The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-10-30

from dl1i reCesSeS OF the whisper shad-
ows, and that, like some heroine of
German folklore, she was fast losing
the consciousness of mortality under
the influence of a mystic charm, when
unhappily the snap of dry twig
aroused her, and with a gentle dignity
she bade me farewell.
1--WE shall meet againi" / asked de-
tanning her hand
"Who can tell 7" was the reply, as
pushing aside the brambles, with mer-
ry laugh, the wood-nymph vanished out
of sight.
wanted to followed but dared not,
re,racting instead, the dusty way to
Pau, oppressed by a strange sensation
of loss, and dizzy with new ideas
Oh, child yet no child, but woman
in all the depth and tenderness of un
sophisticated wisdom-who could have
told but yesternight thy lot and mine
were interviewer in the weft OF time
All, that it may not prove a passing
golden thread, gittering against the
darkness of lonely life, but that the
two may twine together all through the
years the future holds concealed!
1t was not difficult to interest my un.
Gle n the adventure. The elder Miss
Ross had impressed him favorably by
her beauty and accomplishments, but
he fully approved of my winning
wife whose youthful mind could readi-
y adapt itself to her husbands views
and customs. However well Miss Ross
might play the lady of Manor her
younger sister would probably be
better match for me. Then the ques-
ton arose, how to gain Mr.. Ross con.
sentf Plainly the road to the villa lay
through his sister Nine. BIS draw
ing room. My uncle, therefore, pro.
/ posed calling on her. stating my wishes
to see more OF her niec,, and enlisting
her sympathies on my behalf. As the
plan seemed feasible, consented glad
ly, promising to await the issue with
all the patience at my command
Weeks passed on without visible re-
suit. My uncle only responded to my
opportunities by mysterious mods or
more eXasperating proverbs. | wan
dered all over the country in the hope
of meeting Beatrice, returning at close
of day more despondent than ever. l
haunted the pool, but though the sun.
elves played upon the surface no girl
ish figure came through the brambles,
no sweet voice sang the praises of the
wood. Granted that all my attempts
began and ended in folly-what will
not a man do when he is in love1 I
grew disconted and peevish, and aug
mented my private woes by anxiety
about my uncle's health, he having
caught cold which he seemed unable
to shake off We did not talk much
in those days; we were not socable
companions; he sat on one side of the
fire, rolling his head and coughing; l
sat on the other responding by impa
tient sighs.
One evening, on coming home in a
more detected mood than usual | was
greeted with volley Of chuckles that
must have been the death of any other
man.
"Y on seem merry, sir remarked,
GROSSLY, throwing down my hat.
every merry!' he replied, rolling
his head fearfully 81 think you need
change of air, Cyril. We GO to Men
tone or Rome. They say the climate
is more exhilarating and quite as mild
as this. What do you say to it? ~
"I'm we'll enough, sir. But all
places are alike to me, and I'm quite
ready to accompany you anywhere"
"a very proper frame of mind" he
chuckled, gathering his legs up sharply
and shooting them out again with equal
rapidity. "Very good Then well
be off next week. Bye-the bye, Mad
anne B has party tonight, as you
know. She wanted me to 90, but |
said the night air was too great a risk,
and told her I'd send you instead
You'll look in, my boy ?"
"Certainly, if you promised, SIR" l
answered morosely. "But, frankly,
wish you had not done so. | am in
no humor for frivolity just now"
"Quite right" coug ghed my uncle
satirically. "At your advanced age
you ought to have done with frivolity
But you'll go, Cyrilf"
Accordingly, about $50, presented
myself at Nine. BIS. The room,
were full, and, as paused on the thres
hold, if my face betrayed my secre
feelings, its expression must have beer
exceedingly ungracious. Madame
however, welcomed me kindly, and, af
ter few words, said:
"You have met my niece before,
understand. Perhaps mere forma
introduction would not be out of place
Beatrice, my dear, allow me to presen
to you Mr.. Cyril Trevor"
My head reeled, my heart stoppe,
E as in the radiant being before me
recognized my long lost wood nymph
, 1t is impossible to recall what fol
4 lowed. Everything was enveloped il
, a ROXY haze of blissful incredulity
When recovered somewhat we wer,
sitting together in distant part of tn
r room, screened from the public gaze b
= rows of plants, from which l conclud
h that even at that trying moment, m
native common sense had not entirel
n deserted me.
a The time passed with terrible rapit
n ity. Beatrice told me that her aun
r had come few days since to the Wills
;, and after long conversation with NJ
n Ross had her carried off to Pal
Making good use of my time, bon
' of sympathy was binding us yer
!" closely together when Madame at La
% broke in upon our solitude.
>, "Really, Mr.. Trevor, cannot pc
:. nit you to monopolize my niece all Il
q evening You may call tomorrow
~ you like, but | must separate you nov
:. Beatrice, Miss Lucy wishes to speak
a you about Lady C's ball. Are yo
IN going, Mr.. Trevor p
n 81 had not intended accepting Il
"a invitation on account OF my uncl,
a, health, replied, "but if Miss Ro
40 will favor me with her hand"
"a stopped and looked al Beatrice.
So a am not a good dancer, she sal
of blushing. "You will be sorry for ha
r.. ing asked me afterwards"
10. "Never !" | cried fervently. "Gra
~ ,,u ranu.st and shan h, Lo.,.