New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-10-13
4 DOOR AJAR.
BY MARY G. PRESTON.

"A UUUh AJAh.
BY MARY c.. PRESTON.
New York Mercury.
It was all over; past and done with
forever; not a hope remained. Inez
Cameron had plucked them one by
one from his heart III her cool, stately,
graceful way, half an hour before,
when she declined his hand and Of
sfered him her friendship, in the dim,
ssweet-scented glen, which he could see
from the window at which he sat.
Friendship from herr" he muttered,
.savagely, while a burning wrath
famed in his dark eyes. "Did she
think I had been her slave for
almost a year to be content with
that at last? AS true as there is a
heaven above me she allowed me
to think she cared. I was no fool
to say such words as [ said to-day to
her, unless | had been encouraged!
You have taught me a lesson, my fair
faced Inez. I stake my hopes OF an
earthly heaven on no woman's smile
hereafter; and dangle no longer in
your train, lovely as you undoubted-
ny are and dainty and dazzling l
doubt if I ever take any fair lady to
reign here. When sister Nettie and
her host Of friends depart in months
slime | will 20 roaming once more. No
man cares for his home when his heart
is as heavy as mine isl
The shadows gathered and length
,e,led, but Guy Handel sat silent and
miserable, trying to crush down the
regrets to bury the corpse Of
his love dream.
It was bitter to him, this rejection
by the girl he had wooed in such
princely fashion, whom he, perhaps,
had reason to think he could win.
Life seemed very poor and barren
possession to the stalwart young
owner of that fine old homestead on
the Chesapeake, while Summer twi-
light gathered it's soft draperies about
him, and still he forgot that it was
time to dress for dinner and his sister
and her friends would wonder where
he fingered when they came down
presently.
Suddenly a low, sweet, soothing
melody, stole to him there-the air of
q tender old ballad, played lowly,
SLOWLY, by some dainty fingers.
Somehow the music soothed the
pain in his heart, comforted him in a
strange manner, as though the white
hands that toyed with the keys had
left a tender touch on his forehead.
II wonder who is playing?" he
thought. whoever it is, / hope she
will continue wish she would sing"
AS if his wish had been heard the
voice took up the words OF the old
song and sent them sweetly to where
he sat-sad, tender, yearning words
which made his eyes grow dim as he
listened.
~ wonder who she is. I do not rec
~ognize the voice." he said to himself,
and then, rising, he quietly crossed to
the door, which was ajar, and looked
into the drawing-room.
In the twilight he saw slight girl
'ish figure at the piano, clad in pale
amber; the face was turned from him,
but he knew who had sung the sweet
old ballad; knew by the slim, willowy
figure, the masses OF rich auburn hair,
the crutch lying against chair, that
it was Inez Cameron's lame cousin,
Hilda Dallas.
Chow sad the girls voice u.s." he
thought. "Why, how intensely sad!
Yet she has always seemed bright and
cheerful when noticed. fear rare
sly did notice her, poor afflicted child"
just then the drawing-room door
Opened and Inez Cameron entered.
Guy watched her with passionate ad-
GRAFTON and bitter re- greet in his eyes
as she went and stood near her cousin.
"Don't sing that doleful thing, Hill
Ida" she said in her slow tones of sill
yer. Given though you may lie fool
enough to love man who doesn't
care at all for you, there is no need at
all for you to sing that iorlorn ballad
with your heart in your voice.
The music had crashed into a dis
cord, then stopped. The girl on the
piano wheeled about SO that Guy saw
. her face-and from his heart he pitied
=H1lda Dallas when he saw her panied
eyes and colorless face. Aye, and
something which was not love stirred
hls heart for the fair, blue-eyed beau
'ty who stood serenely there, her lips
'curling just a little, her blue and gold
sen draperies falling about her in such
graceful folds.
"What do you mean?" questioned
the lame girl, in quick voice OF pain.
Il don't love anybody; 4"
"Bah" cut in the blondes silvery
tones; 'fyou love Mr.. Guy Handel and
4 have known it for long time He
cares nothing at all for you he scarce
~ sees you; to-day he asked me to be-
come his wife. Now perhaps you real
.ize what little simpleton you are"
The auburn head was lowered sud
denly and two white little hands were
flung over Hilda's colerless face; amo.
ment after and Guy caught the sound
of quick sobbing, mingled with a low
ripple OF laughter from Inez