Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-08-05
Rarrr aUErHun srRrNes.
The Great Hanger OF n stroll ON the
Lovers, walk.

The Great Bnurcr OF a STROLL ON tho
Lovers walk.
Tho following is from Charles Dudley
Warmers "Their Pilgrimage" in Harpe''s
Magazine for August; II want TO warn
You about one thing, said Mr.. Farquhari
don't 20 strolling OF before sunset in
the Lovers Walk. II is the most danger
Gus place. IT Is fatal place. suppose
every turn In Il, every tree that has a
knoll at the foot where two persons can
sit, has Witnessed tragedy, or, what Is
worse, comedy. There are legends
enough about II 20 fill book. Maybe
there is not southern woman living
who has not been engaged there once ut
least. I'll tell you a little story for
warming. Some years ago there was q
famous belle here who had the springs
ut her feet, and hRlf a dozen determined
aiiitors. One OF them, who had been I'M
able to make the least impression on her
heart, resolved 10 win her by q stratagem.
Walking one evening on the hill with her,
tho two stopped Just Mt turn in the walk
II can show you the exact spot, with o
ehaperon- he fell into earnest dis
course with her. She was as cool and
repellent as usual just then he heard
party approaching his chance had
come. The moment the party came in
sight he suddenly kissed her Everybody
saw IL. The witnesses discreetly turned
back. The girl was indignant. But the
deed was done. In half an hour the whole
springs would know it. She wns compro-
missed. No explanation could do away
with the fact that she had been kissed in
Lovers Walk. But the girl was game,
and that evening the engagement was an.
nounced in the drawing-room Isn't that
pretty storyS
However much Mr. King might have
been alarmed at this recital, he betrayed
nothing of his fear that evening when
after walking to the spring with Irene
the two sauntered along, and uncon
sciously, as it seemed, turned up the hill
into that winding path which has beer
trodden by generations of lovers witt
lettering steps--steps easy 20 take and 81
hard to retracel II is delightful forest
the walk winding about on the edge o
the hill, and giving charming prospect
of intervals, stream and mountains. I,
one in the mood for quiet hour witt
nature, no scene could be more attractive
The couple walked on, attempting httl
conversation, both apparently prepos
sessed and constrained The sunset We
spoken Of, and when Irene at length sue
gested turning back, that was declared {
be Kings object in ascending the hill
particular point but whether either G
them saw the sunset, you'd hav
- known il from e sunrise, l cannot saJ
The drive to the Old Sweet was pleasnn
Yes, but rather tiresome Mr.. Meigs Ia
gone away suddenly. Yes; Irene wa
sorry his business should have called hi
away. Was she very sorry She wouldn
lie awake at night over it, but he was
good friend. The time pissed ver
quickly here. Yes; one couldn't tell no
il went the days Just melted away Il
two weeks seemed like day. They wei
going away the next day. King said
was going also.
"And, !" he added, as if with an etfor
''when the season is over, Miss Benson,
am going to settle down to work"
''rm glad of that, she added, turin
upon him n face glowing with approva
ayes, have arranged to go on wi
practice in my uncle's Office. | rememb
what you said abont dilettante life"
why, never said anything Of I
kind /"
"But you looked it, It is all the SAINT
They had come to tue crown Of I
bill, and stood looking over The interv
to the purple mountains. Irene v
deeply occupied in tying up W
grass bunch of wild flowers. Suddel
4 he seized her hand.
"Irenei'h-'
mo, no." she cried, turning aw
The flowers dropped from her hands.
tYou must listen, Irene. l love yol
love you"
She turned her face toward him:
lips trembled; her eyes were full of tel
there was q great look of wonder {
tenderness in her face.
at it all true?"
She was in his arms. He kissed
hair, her eyes--ah me it is the old sto
1t had always been true. He loved
from the first at Fortress Monroe, ev
minute since. And she-well, pcrh
she could learn TO love him in time, if
was very good yes nay6y -ltj
hin a little At Fortress Monroe, 1
could be what was here IN to att
him? What wonder il was that
could tolerate him What could she
IN him?
So this impossible thing, this mira
was explained No, indeed 1t hai
he inquired into and explained over
over again, this absolutely oxperit
of two people loving each other.
She could speak now OF herself, OF
doubt that he could know his own h
and be stronger than the social traditi
and would not mind, as she thought
did at Newport-just little bit
opinions of other people. do not
any means imply that she said all
bluntly, or that she took at all the
of apology; but she contrived as q VOL
can without saying much, to let him
why she had distrusted not the SINGER
but the perseverance of his love. II
would never be any more doubt n
What a wonder il all is
The two parted-alas alas till supi
time!-I don't know why scoIvrs n
solight Of these parings-at the foo
the main stairs of the hotel gallery,
as Mrs. Farquhar was descending. Ira
face was radiant as she rau away 4
Mrs. Farquhar.
'Bless You, MY children. see
warning was in vain, Mr. King. It
fatal walk. II always was in our fan
Oh, youth youth" A shade Of me
choly came over her charming face as
turned alone toward the spring.