The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-04-26

But they are bitter while they last, and / am
so soft-hearted and foolish that pity them and
would give my right hand to help them.
When Aubrey and Mrs Charleton looked
thus at each other, tearing out each others
secret by the very strength Of theiE love
glances l went closer to Dulcie, and began to
fear that Cinderella's Prince was going to prove
dcfaulter after ALL
Poor Dulcie; she looked very forlorn and de-
serted, and tears were dropping quietly onto
her folded hands. 1t was no use my saying
anything, so I only made some trivial remark
about the moon, and patted her on the shoulder
as q sort of vague encouragement.
THANK you, she said, and gave me q sad
kind of a smile which l cannot forget.
l think I must warn that boy of what he is
doing, lest he break the girls heart for the sake
of what is only glamour. Nonsense! As if
hearts ever broke in this prosaic age Still,
they may get bruised, and bruises take the
bloom off hearts as much as off the ripeness Of
peach or grape.
All here he comes, looking as If he has con-
fessiOn to make 1r wished to ask for advice
which know he 7iIl not follow if 1 gave it to
him.
He says he is a miserable wretch vile beast,
q weak minded ass and various other unpleas-
ant things too numerous to be recalled.
l let him abuse himself until he was tired
and paused to be contradicted Finding that
no contradiction was forthcoming he sobered
down and explained his troubles.
In the first place he has been in love with
Dulcie; now he is in love with Mrs. Charleton
81 daresay that she is making fool of me-"
he said; " can't help it-there is no one like
her. What ought / to do2 l have never
spoken Of marriage to Dulcie, but you know
the sort of position we are in. I feel az much
bound as if we had been engaged in the sight
of all the world, and I don't want to hurt her.
She is so lonely and desOlate-any one ought
to be proud to make her q bit happier. On my
honor, when 1 think of it. 1 am almost in love
with her, too! and yet-no! there IS no one
like the other-there can never be any one like
her to me-
"Then there IS not much for me to say" I
answered. Only don't keep the child in sus-
pense. This is hardly an ordinary case. Her
helplessness and loneliness enttle her to a
double share Of tender consideration. But
do not advise you either way Heaven defend
me from meddliug with other peoples love az
fairs Having kept out Of them myself, how
can you expect NE to be an authorityG'
The poet heaved a sigh like an earthquake
and he spoke no more to Mrs. Chareton that
! day, which caused gloom in one quarter. Ii
she loves him las believe she does there is no
/ hope for him, and Dulcie win be governess
/ till the end Of her days.
| What can | do to help her? Buy her new
]
women are easily cOmf0rted by trides, and
| know Dulcie has weakness for pretty things
/ How her eyes CLEAN when Mrs. ChaTletOn gives
! her a ribbon, or a pair of gloves, or any little
vanity that she thinks will please the child
! Mrs. Cbarleton is kind to her after patroniz
| ing fashion, aud Dulcie dances attendance OF
her like devoted little spaniel running mes
sages for her and making herself useful il
! every possible manner.
SEPT. Is.
we have had quite an excitement here to
day, an incident perfectly in keeping with TIN
third act Of O drama, and I fear the denoue
ment Of our little play is close at hand l sal
g fear" because it has been an interest to IN
! here and relieved the monOtony Of a sOmewha
lonely existence. | am fond of all the dTamati
persona. and they think, Of me. But the.
have played havoc with my work, and, siren
like, reduced me to a state of Incidence posi-
| lively distressing in a respectable philOsophe
of my age and experience.
This afternoon l went out with my bool
tucked under my arm, intending to read on tn
beach. Had l been strong minded / shoul
have staid indoors safe from all possible inter
ruption but | happended to look out of til
window whence | could see the foamy sea en-
ticing me out, and / succumbed like any school
boy. Then | met Dulcie wandering discon
solate" by the sad sea waves" like Gnon
mourning that scamp Paris and what could
do but attempt to restore few smiles TO he
poor little face
"Where are the others2" I asked enc
boating on such a rough dayP ;"
Eyes; Mrs. Charleton loves stormy sea, s
they went. / am such bad sailor that it wa
no use u y going; IshouId only have been in thei
way" 1t was no use cOntradicting SO sci
evident truism, so / contented myself wit
saying that l was glad for my own sake tia
she had not gone.
have only got three more days" she said
then back to my London pupils. ] must NJ
grumble, for / have had long holiday, and
has been very pleasant Yet sometimes" ;
her eyes went out to sea where little boat VIZ
. tossing on the waves in q way that made II
feel quite unWell even to look at, sometime
, ] half wish had never come. 1t makes it
. much harder to go back"
You poor little thing" I exclaimed, qui
/ Indignantly; you zha'n't 60 back to yor
drudgery."
: Who can prevent it? F." she said, shakir
her head and smiling at me-
> "Who?" I cried unthinkingly; the poet
} "Oh, don't" she whispered, covering ht
face with her hands. THAT is all over"
"You must not think that; don't BELIZE
1t. Is it that widow my dear? [ am n
I afraid Of her. 1t is little glamour, and h
+ heart is yours all the time you see If it is no
NClllGt uuL lLCs dEDAG a.
They are so well suited. I don't blau
either of them" she said, looking straight
c me with her brave blue eyes; and if it is S
. I would not for the world be in their way.
wouldn't hurt me; l ought never to ha7
thought of such d thing"
= st would hurt you" I said soothingl
s land 1 will let nothing hurt you. 1t will {
3 come right if you are patient. You love hir
g aud I believe in true love getting the best
2 everything"
t "0h, it IS not only that" cried the poor i
Q tie girl, bursting into tears. at is that ha
f 10 one to love me, and l am so lonely, SO teri
t bly, lonely"
J let heE have her cry out and pretended
g read. am in such rage with Aubrey that
! should like to shake him out of his clothes al
n duck him in the sea. How dare he play wi
Dulcie's heart in this cruel way?
9 When | looked up again | saw the boat COZ
n ing to land just in front Of US.
: al don't see how they can land here in the
:, horrid big waves" said Dulcie, who had dri
l her eyes by this time. l am sure they W
e 60 over Oh, look, Mr.. Frazeri Isn't it da
gerous2 Do tell them to go back"
Bat nay caution came too late. For, as
,s called to Aubrey to take care what he "
? about a wave caught the boat broadside a
n hurled it toward land, precipitating NJ
: Charleton and Aubrey into the water.
J There was no danger, but the sudden ".
/ ting was enough to frighten a woman il
% Mysteries or a faintng fit, and as / rushed
Al = I araA- rr1Tr =