The Sunday herald., 1886-09-19

indeed, yet burning with shame At the rec
ollection Of that last interview. And Philip
dropped down where he stood, like one
stricken with mortal blow, and buried his
face In his hands.
How long he sat there he never knew, for
time was lost In that crisis Of emotion. All
~ once he felt clipging arms about his
neck. soft cheek pressed to his own, and
rousiug 10 consciousness Of outer things,
little figure he knew and loved sprsng
sobbing Into his arms.
"Oh Phil wbat-what shall dof" You
are going away"
"Well, little girl, don't sob so," he
pleaded, folding her close TO his aching
heart. "Do you really care for me so much
as all thatr
For an answer she pulled his face down
and kissed him repeatedly on the mouth
a child's kisses, frank and shameless but
perilously sweet in his present mood.
"Vh PHILIP II is wicked wiekcd'' she
cried. "But never mind" she added,
soothinsly ''sofae 0f these days You'll be
famous; that will be your fesenge,"
Nell had unwittingly struck chord that
| vibrated TO her touch; q smile flashed into
the fne face, grown pale and haggard within
an hour.
"Some day, child," he muttered. "Ani
when that day comes, may we meet again;
at all events, tits some solace to know that
one heart will hold me In fond remembrance,
whatever befalls. Goodbye, sweetheart;
they are calling you, and must CO."
Six years have elasped; and Philip Laigh-
ton, after chequered career In the world Of
letters, IL now esteemed rising star on the
horizon, and tasting the first fruits Of a brill
liant and early renown. Once again he is
led back 10 old times and scenes, aud one
morning finds himself rowing down river, as
In days Of "auld lang syne." Dreamily
pulling along with his hat over his eyes, he
nearly overturns a little skiff laden with
lilies, In which sits pretty, sunburnt girl.
in a broad gypsy hat. lie laughingly apollo
gises, and steadying the boat with his hand
regards lis occupant with interest. She re-
turns the stare from q pair OF soft brown
eyes, IMMERSED In the language Of coquetry,
aud then bursts into peal Of merriment.
"Neli ~ he oried "No--it can't be-im
possible I"
But II is, Philip" she laughed, surren'
deripg both hands to him. aud thereby haz.
ardiug another upset. 81 knew you in a
moment; have changed so much 2"
"Well, Nell" he said, relinquishing her
hands at last, with a deep sigh Of satisfao
tion, 'you've kept your promise; the mad.
cap child has bloomed into beautiful
young woman"
She blushed aud said hastily:
"And you have kept yours, Philip. Oh
I have followed your career in all these
| years."
"My faithful partisan" he murmured, +,
with glance that betokeued grateful re-
membrancs. Sand to-day have dedi-
Gated 10 old times a pleasure trip into the
pasta hazardous experiment, I'll admit,
but one that opens we'll. Get in here with
me, and reel off the latest news as we 60
along. Never fear, Nell," he continued,
oheerily, "I've outlived past follies, (put
your hand on my shoulder. child;) heart
breaking work it was, (stesdy, sit where
can look at you,) but memory is no longer
bitter TO me."
"You heard of Lindas marriagef" she
ventured at last.
"Yes-yes; a millionaire Of seventy; crab
bed age and youth'-so runs the world away.
And she never married that man, after ALL
I confess to a feeling of satisfaction; he was
my rival, you know"
"You read Of our losses 2" said Nell, has
tily. "Father lost all in day, aud has beer
a mere wreck ever since. Tanglewood alone
is left us; so here we livs the year round. y
my dear girl, never heard of this; you
must be buried alive here"
She laughed blithely.
"Noi not az bad as all that, while have
boat and this beautiful river; for my tom
boy tastes still cling to me, you see. Still
tits rather lonescme.'
"Nell, can Tighten the solitude once in 8
while 2" he said, softly, STOPPING nearer till
his face was on level with the sunburn
gypsy one under the broad hat.
Her answer is not OIL record, but that il
gave satisfaction cannot be doubted; and al
later on they landed at Tauglewood, and
walked up the familiar path together, Phil
felt as one in adrean, and that the last stinl
had been extracted from the bitter swee
past.-BoSto1 Home Journal.