The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1885-05-29

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gift OF all her future life, she could
not withhold the promise to be his
wife.
"YOu shall never regret it. You
shall be happy" he cried, with d
lovers confidence.
~ am happy now," she whisper
ed, flushed and shy, but radiant.
They wandered long among the
flowers, feeling that heaven lay
about them; but the next morning
the girl received bad news from
home. She only made out clearly
that her presence was needed, and
with only one regretful sigh for the
bright dream ste had cherished,
she began preparation for the long
journey. Keller earnestly begged
to be allowed to accompany her,
but she gently refused. He must
go OH With their friends, and if she
needed him she would write for him
to come.
81 shall come on in a few weeks,
whether you send for me or not
We must finish this interrupted
tour together, Marian"
She returned home TO find their
guardian dead and their fortune
gone, swept away by some ill-ad.
viSed speculation. The maiden lady
sought home with relatives, aud
Marian Ray found herself among
the world workers, aud with help.
less invalid to care for. Helpless,
did say! Nay, she was the only
hope and comfort of poor Marian's
heart, for her handsome, wealthy
lover came not, and the letter she
wrote to him explaining their re-
verses of fortune remained unnn-
sweTed. She tried to think of him
with contempt, to hold the love
that failed in the hour of her bit
terest need as valueless ; but she
only succeeded in tOrmenting her
own faithfal, loving heart, which,
in spite of pride and reason, clung
to that short, sweet romance with
hold death alone could break.
All day she walked from house
to house through the bitter cold,
while the clouds hung dull and
heavy over the city; but whea her
days work ended, she started home
in the evening, strip of blue had
appeared overhead. She lifted her
eyes to it and saw the clouds part
wider, until tue little rift had be.
come a broad, bright space across
the heavens.
"Dear Ethel She would rejoice
in that, and call it a happy omen,
but cannot," she thought, with a
tender smile that ended in sigh.
1t was dark when she reached
home, and hurrying eagerly up
stairs, she pushed open the door,
anxious TO be with her sister as
soon as possible. They were care
full with fuel, with everything !;
necessity forced them to study
economy, and Marian expected to
find the room in darkness, only a
scanty handful of Goals in tue crate.
She entered to tiud a glowing fire
aud the table set with dainties,
while the little teakettle steamed
merrilly on the hearth.
"Ethel n she cried, hastily throw
ing off hat and wraps and turning
toward her sisters bed.
"0h, Marian, sister !" cried the
invalid, in voice trembling with
strong emotion; then Marian felt
her heart leap in a suffocating
thrOb of pain aud rapture, for ont
of the semi-darkness of tho corner
Mark Keller advanced, with out.
hands to meet her.
"Marian, have you no welcome
for me 7"
A chilling remembrance of all his
silence and neglect swept over her,
and pride rose in arms.
"Certainly, IL welcome you,
Mr.. Keller" she said stiffly, and
stepping back a little.
"What /! Have you forgotten -
he cried in keenest disappointment.
"NO, sir; it is because | remem-
ber that l can give you no friend
lier greeting. | wonder that You
eau expect it after such long neg
lect and cOldness. l cannot pass
over such slights.'
"But, Marian, he did not get your
letter, and he could not come when
he intended, for a hurt received
among the Alps kept him a prison
er for several weeks, aud then he !
had to search aud search, aud has |
INST found us" said Ethel, halt |
raising herself mp, the crimson
ire-light giving even her pale face
! nOseate tint.
Marian's face changed and her
yes mutely questioned her lovers.
s'It is all true. Could you be-
ieve 1 loved yOn so lightlyf7 he
f; aud this time she did
lOt shrink back when he approach.
d, but gave him the welcome he
raved.
sSTis the rift in the clouds. Hope
aid it would come, and had faith
o believe, thank GOd.'
Ethel fell softly back among the
flows, her delicate hands clasped,
er eyes radiant