Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-07-30
its brim might sooth his throbbing
brain.
Meanwhile the cashier was max
l:.,,oic q. o.orooohla IN A licp. He


the warm color to the girls cheeks.
Within the following honr she
was ready to believe that she was
the peer of Venus de Medlcis, to
whom Bemer compared her; and
only fit to be talked to by such an
Adonis as our cashier.
The long afternoon was wearing
to its close, when Bemer proposed
that they stroll down to the river.
dts so romantic to saunter
about listening TO the gush of tho
waters,' he suggested
Alice consented and they were
soon walking slowly down past the
little bridge, and so on to the
stream. There they sat down
beneath bending tree, and with
an adroit movement Bemer slipped
his arm around the little waist OF
the young girl, and pressing her
close to his breast almost smothcred
her with kisses.
ooh now DON'T" Alice remon-
strated, and tried to free herself
from his embrace. at is very i'm
proper to act so, Mr.. Bemer."
Gmproper when / love, and de-
sired to make you my Wife he eN-
claimed in n rapture, real or simu.
lated. "You are so charming that
--p and he broke off, to press her
closer to his heart.
Poor viii only REQUIRED to Alice
for an instant-how far was he
beneath this gentlemen-and then
she banished him from her mind.
ave have been acquainted but a
short time,n she said, turning her
eyes upon the face of the man who
held her, "you mistake your own
feelings"
"You do not know how deep the
love of an earnest nature can
prove. | love but once, and that
began from the first instant saw
Won: and it will always continue
as deep as now. swear that /
would willingly give my life to
know that my fondness was re-
turned
"And you truly love me y
81 only desire an opportunity to
make my assurance undOubted.'
The girl was carried away by his
passionate vows, and leaning
her head upon his shoulder, said
bravely;
"Then ! am yours"
The lovers looked very pretty {;
but "danger was nigh when all
seemed STILL" and the sharp slick
of a pistol broke the silence.
Looking up, our lovers beheld
Will Gordon standing near, with u
pistol in his hand.
"IIenry Bcmer,' said the young
mechanic, in solemn tones, "you
spoke very bravely a moment ago,
and like an honest man. ! mean
to hold you to your word. You
have Alice's heart, and for it YOU
must lay down your life.'
The pistol was covering his heart,
which so lately beat for Alice alone;
but it was now leaping with fear.
A cool hand was upon the trigger,
seemingly eager to send his soul
into eternity.
With a yell Of fear, the cashier
sprang to his feet, and fled for his
life, leaving Alice to face the infurl-
ated man.
viii smiled grimly as the false
lover vanished beneath the trees
and dropping his weapon upon the
grass, turned to Alice.
The girls head was bowed for
ward IN her lap. She was weeping
through bewilderment and remorse
"Alice," said Will, gathering heI
up in his strong arms, "dont you
see the man was unworthy OF you
| knew it long ago, and your ac
ceptance of him made me very
bitter. Shall we forget ~
Alice sobbed an assent, and not
withstanding her fright was bette
pleased than she had been.
"Oh :" she exclaimed five minutes
later, as they we're about to return
TO the town, "throw that terrible
thing away"
There was boyish lightness il
Wills laugh as he placed the plsto
away in his pocket.
It will hurt no one, darling" h
said, at has served its purpose b.
frightening away that sneak; h
: was in no danger, though, for !
wasn't loaded