Daily Republican., 1886-06-11


through Mans hair, playing with the
suspicion of a smile which hovers on
the baby-sweetness of her mouth,
every detail of which the young man
notes.
In her sweet, shy way she laughs
and talks with her handsome com
panion, giving vent to some of her
joyous, repressed youth
And Philip Ord-to him the blue
dome above is not the sky-but heav-
en-.
Vaguely he realizes what the world
might hold to him, if possessing such
companion.
To have taken the slight, lssom fig
ure to his heart-untouched by the
cold-shouldered mercy of the world
But, pshaw!-for him such things are
past.
lie is the betrothed husband of Clare
Darkleigh, and he remembers it with
start as the boat strikes the sandy
shore around point of rock, where
several ladies and gentlemen from the
hotel-among them Colonel Darkleigh
and his daughter-are idling on the
beach.
A sudden flash of surprise-of pain,
shame and confusion-oversprea
Mans face.
1t is too late to turn the boat out
around the rocky pointagain although
Philip would have given worlds to do
| 30.
Although he laughingly returns
their greetings and sallies, his heart is
dull with heavy regret, and the knowl-
edge that, although innocent, he ia
blamable for the panied flush that
mounts her delicate cheek under the
cold stares of the women--the more
insulting admiration of the men.
''ForGive me-" he whispers, as he
hands her from the boat, tenderly--
even more so perhaps than had she
been one of those wealthy, fashionable
bellies. Forgive me again-I did not
know. And may 1 see you again, if
only for moment?"
But the only answer he receives is
an upward glance of the dark eyes, in
which glance he reads proud reproach
and scorn, then she is gone, straight
past him up the path.
All day and all night, even in
dreams, the look of her lovely face
haunts Philip, filled with pride, re-
proach and scorn.
Every day, and sometimes all day
long, he haunts the spot where first
they met, in the hope of gaining one
word of pardon from her-that is all.
Never in his lite had he known that
he was capable of so much remorse.
He could imagine her feelings under
the cold, disappearing stare Of those
women.
Once he meets her when she is rid
ing with party of friends from the
hotel and Beechcroft.
She has roll of music under her
arm, and passes them by with proudly
uplifted head, while the ladies taunt
and jest Philip with the strength of
her friendship and length of it.
Alter that he meets her frequently
all design on his part; no place can she
go but she is waylaid; but never again
does he win one tender look, one
sweet, sad smile from eyes or lips.
lie even in his madness pours pas
sionate tale of his wild love into her
ear, but it is of no avail. 1t must come
to an end, he tells himself, else drive
him mad.
Win some return he must, and
Glare" he asked suddenly, one
evening, "Do you love me. very
much?"
She laughs, shrugs her shoulders,
and looks up.
II would not be guilty of such a
thing" says Miss Darkleigh, banter
ingly. Society women never are. II
do not love you at all"
But mean would it hurt your
teelings-would you care to marry me
II you knew | loved some one else;
il
She throws back her dark head with
a low laugh sensible womanl
Certainly not, Phil, ;" she says. 81
understand. Il would marry old Colo
mel Mordaunt, who has five millions,
while YOU
Before she completes the sentence
he kissed her tenderly, loving her bet
ter when releasing him than ever he
had while bound.
The rocks are cleaning in the white
moonlight, and some one, in whom he
recognizes Nan, leaning on one and
weeping as though her heart would
break.
NAN" he cries, taking the Iissom
form in his arms as once he had wished
to do. 81 am free now, little love,
and"
But she .urns on him with flashing
eyes and clinched hands.
''If | We're a man, Philip Ord" she
cries, II would knock you down! You
coward, to give me no peace!-to fol-
low a poor girl, whose only fortune is
her reputation, until people talk"
Let us give them something tol
talk about, Man." he says tenderly,
again catching the little hands in his.
II am free now. Nan"-eagerly-"Il
cannot live without you. Will you be
my wife? am not worthy, l know,
but love you as"
mot SO much as | love youp she |
whispers slowly. "But, oh! you nearly |
broke my heartl"