The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1885-01-29

tage-door opened. and Lerore came
forth As she slowly closed the door
behind her, she heaved deep sigh.
Come, C.lina," she said, and her
voice was sorrowful and tremulous.
''let us get away from here quickly. l
will be so glad when we get home once
more-so gladr'
So really detected did she appear that
the faithful girl resolv Il that, for the
present, the fact of Gilbert Seymour's
tage must remain a secret. What the
result might be, time alone would DEM
ons:rate.
They re-entered the house as quietly
and unobserved rs they had departed,
and repaired to their respective apart
ments. Their strange mission had
been performed, and no one was cogni-
SAINT of it.
No one? He alone, who of all others
should have remained in ignorance of
it, had seen and heard ALI
On the following morning, while the
preparations for the coming wedding
were going On in the house, Lcnore sat
in her room quietly reading.
There was knock, and Celina en-
tered with package.
] The young lady slowly laid aside her
book and received the package into her
hands, but became interested ut once
as she recognised the handwriting of
her lover upon the back of it.
! Quickly cutting the cord, out fell
heap of letters-those pure dainty epis-
ties she had written from time to time
! to thn f,.v1y
souvenirs she had given him.
Lenore started, changed color, and
gasrcd for breath. la
IL don't understandr' she uttered
brokenly.
/ The package and brief note which
it contained comprised Gilbert Sey-
mour's farewell.
The bewildered young lady did not
cry or faint. Throwing the fatal note
from her, she clasped both hands to her
: forehead.
..My God!' she cried in anguish;
"this is inexplicable!. What does he
what can he mean?'
Il think can explain, Miss Lenore,"
said Celina.
j And then she briefly relatedthosc oc-
currerces of the preceding night, of
which her mistress WAS still in ignor-
ance.
! When she had received this explana-
ton, the heircss, instead of being over
come by shame and con. usion, uttered
a cry OF joy.
"Oh, Heavens!" she exclaimed. Then
with sudden decision: Come, Cell
na. there is Yet another mission before
, u.s."
"Wherc are you going?" wondering
ly enquirel the astonished girl.
''Come and see. Heaven grant it may
not already be too late!''
Scarcely waiting for her bonnet, she
hurried down the stairs, along the
gravclled walk, and into the Street.
She walked rapidly on, followed by Ce-
lima, wondering at this sudden freak of
her mistress.
In few minutes acommodious man.
sion, surrounded by an extensive park,
came into vi W. This was Mr. Sey-
mour's country seat A carriage stood
at the door, with gentleman just step
ping within.
Lenore uttered cry, and ran quick
1y forward.
"Oh, Gilbert" she cried. ''don't
gor'
At the sound of her voice he turned
quickly. When .he bc.ieid who had
thus accosted him, a panied expression
fell upon his countenance.
Don't leave me-" she continued
earnestly. ''At least, not without grant
ing me chance for an explanation.
You have misj.,dged me. 1t is all a
terrible mistake. Come with me to
Manson Cottage. and the secret shall
be made plain. God,knows wish to
conceal nothing from your
1ac cloud passed from Mr.. Seymour's
brow, and the JOY of a new hope BEAM
ed from his eyes.
Il certainly will CO." he replied, add
ing: ''1t is now not necessary, howev-
er. Your word is sufficient, love, and
l know feel-that all is we'll. Had l |
not been mad, should not have acted |
in this manner without granting you an
opportunity of explaining. Thank |
God. it is not yet too late!'
All tered the carriage, and proceed |
ed together to the little cottage by the !
brook.
On the threshold they were met by |
the little woman who had brought the
note to LeGore ON the previous evening. |
She covered her face with her shrivei- |
led palms and burst into tears.
My poor son has gone at last she
sorrowfu!ly said, sitting the emotions
OF her grief. ..iIe passed away soon |
after you left last night. Oh, ma am,
wo It you come an take last look at |
him? I'm sure it will please him if he
can know
They followed the disconsolate moth
er iato the iil-furnished apartment. and
stood by the couch of the dead.
He was apparently twenty-five years |
of age, worn and emaciated by dis |
ease.
The secret of Lenorc's connection
with the unfortunate one was soon ex-
planned.
The preceding summer, while on
visit to the house OF friend, she had
encountered him once or twice acci-
-den;ally.
he,e casual meetings decided his
fate. Rash and imDetuous as was his |
nature, he allowed himself to fall des-
perately in love with her, only to learn |
the hope.essness OF his passion.
But that which was bitter in reality
remained sweet morsel to his imagi- |
nation, and he brooded over his unfort-
unate lore until it became part of bis
very existence.
When he learned that the days of his |
life were numbered, and that he must !
soon fail a victim to that bane of hu-
manity, consumption, he begged to be
conveyed to the vicinity of Lenore's
home, that he might be near her at the
last.
After his transfer hither the poor fel-
low weakened rapidly. His mind gave
way under the enccoachnents of dis
ease and wandered continually.
In these moments of dclirium his |
thoughts centred on his fatal love, and
he imagined that Lenore was really his
bride.
The m ,thcr. half crazed by grief. had
urged the young lady to visit her son,
and, if possible, soothe by his presence
the wi!dncss her absence produced.
Tle latter had complied, and it was
ON one of the missions OF mercy that
she had come the preceding night, wien
d scOvered by her a!iiauced husband.
Il could not despise his love, Gilbert;
my heart pitied him so,'' said Lenore
when this melancholy recital was con-
ciuded, CHANGING upwards, tcardrops'
cl:uding her azure eyes. do not
blame me for attempting to conceal the
truth. 1t was all for his sake. Ii SEEM
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