Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-04-09


away with his most intimate friend. All
this before his college course was ended.
He took no steps to trace his wife, and
there the matter rested"
Il am glad you told me this, papa,
Nora said, simply. "One ought to be
posted upon these matters"
Her manner then and after was so
calm that her father congratulated him
self on his timely revelation. Il might
have been too late, ;" he said to himself.
DAYS passed. Philip did not appear.
Then one day package came to Nora,
containing very small copy OF "Doux
Souvenir" exquisitely bound in violet.
From the pages dropped a note:
MORAL have seen your father, who
tells me you know all; this has brought
me to sense of my own peril, and l
feel 1 dare not meet you again.
"PHILIP."
Nora told herself she should not,
would not, care, and she forced herself
to be brave; but she did care for
all that, and she laid away "Doux Sou
venir"-ahi "Triste Souvenir" and
never played it now. Still her life went
on the same; and one evening she
found herself in the artists reception
in company with some friends. Ex-
quisitely dressed groups passed up and
down before the beautiful pictures, the
air was filled with sweet sounds and the
scent of rare flowers, and Nora was al
most forgetting to feel sad. There was
pause in the music, and her friends
were chatting gayly around her, when
softly, sweetly from an adjoining room
came the sounds of "Doux Souvenir.
Turning quickly, Nora met Philips
eyes.
He stepped forward. II must speak
to you this once" he said.
With word of excuse to her friends
she took his offered arm and walked
with him up and down, always within
sound of the song
"Nora," he whispered passionately,
IL can not keep away from you-I can
not live without you. Speak one word
to strengthen me, to comfort me.
But the same set look was on her
face, and she stopped suddenly. Her
eyes were on picture hanging near.
Two shadowy forms driven by ter
rible, cruel wind, and the low, sad
moaning of the song might have been
the sound of its passing.
His sad eye, followed hers, his face,
100, grew deatnIy White.
Il accept the portent," he sighed; Il
take warning. Come away, Nora, come
away. oh, comew
NO she answered, dreamily, II
would rather stay"
"Nora," he pleaded, won't you listen
to me? / implore you, for my sake, if
you will not for your own"
Il can not move," she whispered;
something holds me to the spot"
A look of torture passed over his
face, followed by one of sudden relief,
as young artist passed close to him.
"Ernest~ he said, addressing him,
quick stop that music. 1 will ex-
plain later-only be quick"
An exclamation of surprise and pain
moment he dashed forward, saying.
"The lady has tainted Here, this way,
1 will show you" He threw wide
small door beside them, which had
6eans sPHGeSlfal dhiEsta IbS e6aXy enrtainsnd
Philip carried in Nora and laid her
on a lounge, while the other fastened
to admit the air. Then while she Law
restored. but white and still, too weak
to open her eyes, she heard the stranger
say, Philip, old friend, forgive me if
you can. loved her; you did not"
Philip only answered, quietly,
where is she now?"
Dead" groaned the artist; "dead
two months since. You never cared
for her, and / would have given my lite
to save her. Do not excuse my sin. ]
only ask your pardon.
Nora opened her eyes to see Philip
lay his hand in that of the man who
had so hearlessly betrayed him.
Il forgive you now" she heard him
say. II once thought / never should.
You painted the Francesca da Rimini?"
"Yes. You noticed the likeness?
And did you lead the repentance and
misery that could only paint such an
guish?"
Il think did, )" he answered.
Nora rose. "Did you paint that love-
ly, beautiful picture?" she asked turn
ing to the artist.
He bowed.
Il cannot think" she sighed, passing
her hand over her brow, show it is pos
sible; but that is what has haunted me
for years when played 'Doux Souven-
il, until the notes have come to sound
like storm winds, and could see so
plainly those weary forms drifting
hither and thither-one, ahl one was
like you, only a shadow. and the
"She is dead now" he said, hoarsely;
"let her rest.
Nora turned gently and gave him her
hand. IL am sorry for YOU" she said.
Then Philip drew her away. With
out word he took her back to her
friends, made his adieux and left. She |
did not see him again for months. Then
one day, when she was in her violet
room, he came.
want to try an experiment" he |
said, after greeting her. "Have you |
ever played Dioux Souvenir since that |
Never" she replied.
"Do so now"
Nora shrank and shivered.
II am certain the spell is gone" he
said. "You have seen the picture in
reality. You will not fear it now"
Then she obeyed. First came the |
hushed prelude, then the signing, ten
der song, then the wailing sadness of
the closing phrase; but her face no
longer paled, bright flush covered her
cheeks, perhaps because Philips arm
was held round her, while heI happy |
head leaned on his breast.
The Delights OF TobOgganing.