Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1888-03-13
st. AeNEs' nvn.


ting brightly whilo they waited Tor the
first stroke of the hour which would
tell them that the birthday OF their
hosts daughter, fair Agnes Leslie,
had dswned.
Apart from them ALL with an open
book before her, was stately, gifted
Hilda Trevor.
They called her, but she paid no
heed; bending low over her book, and
reading what she had written, she
scarcely heard the merry, careless
voices.
"Hilda, come here; Jack is going
to tell our fortunes. Let him foreteli
first for you"
"Fortell for met" she said very
gently. "In my future he will have
no part; but in yours, my dearest, is
he not to be the all In all2h
The sweet, fair, childlike face grew
hot with color, the lifted eyes took a
wistfulness into their gray depths
which made Hilda bend down and
kiss her friend.
''Oh, not that, my dear-my dear
estl" exclaimed Agnes.
Hilda smiled and crossed the wide
old hall, and bent her dark head be-
fore Jack Seaton.
"Most potent wizard" she said in
her low, sweet voice, shave you aught
to show me of that mysterious land, the
To Gomez II SO. / prithee lift the
curtain but little way, lest my cour
age fall mep'
| He lAokad at tho orova auaat faoa
with Its delicate curves and tracings,
and he laughed alsud.
Fear not to scan the whole bright
plain" he said, merrily. "Beholdl q
lover cometh from afar TO teach you
lies best lesson. And you will lay
lyour hand In his, and 60 with him,
whithersoever he may lead you, know
ling that where his great heart is, and
Its great love for you, there only ID
|your happiness
"If you could show me such iu
ture." she said, in low but lighi
voice, "methinks II would dazzle my
vision. But accept my thanks, Sil
Oracle, and read the coming year fol
one whose life l would fain see pas
through no shadows"
Then once more she left the group
and went to stand under the fall O
light, and read again the poem sht
had been composing; but mist gath
ered between her and the words, hel
soft lips 1uttered as she bent over the
book.
"Ohi could but know myself still
unforgottenp" she whispered, claspine
her hands passionately above hel
breast. could / be sure that ht
would come ii l recalled him, no pride
would make me hesitate an hour. My
dearest, with soiteninG OF the who'll
fair face, and world of wlstful long
ing in the tender eyes, "my heart
beloved, would you come back to mt
| II you knewP
And with = prayer in her heart 70
the welfare of the friend she loved
Elilds moved silently toward the fire
Iplace.
She had not reached It, when
loud, clear stroke from the tall clocl
/, in the lower end OF the hall told al
d that midnight was upon them.
E Then suddenly the great door wa
: aung wide open, and a mans flgur
I stood on the threshold, with the ligh
= falling warmly on fair, delicatel,
:. cut face, showing Its chiseled beauty
even to the curvlng OF the nostrils.
i A hush fell over the merry watcher
as this Stranger stood unannounce,
and unknown before them. Bat
glad cry broke through the silence a
last, and Hilda, gliding forward, pu
out both hands TO him-hands tina
trembled like aspen leaves
Basil, Basill Oh, welcome back
welcomed
He took the outslretched hands an,
drew her to him-so closely that h
could look straight into her upturned
, glowing eyes.
81 came TO sec you but once again,
!. he said, in voice like music, bu
which was for her alone. 81 coul
not forget, as you babe me. My foil
Z went with me beyond the sea, an
brought me back that l might SO
your face. You bid me welcomed
iyou, who babe me got But hav
seen you, touched your hand; an
lnow-"
Sand now," she faltered, "you vii
; stay, Basil. II you still remember
you will stay, because -because-
"You wish III" he asked, with 8
; glorious light in his eyes; and, un
needing all the curious chances ben
! upon him. he stopped and kissed tn
j hands still held in his. "You hav
, missed mef You wish me to stay
But love alone"
sis all to me now," she suswere
: brokenly. 81 know at last, and bu
an hour ago thought l knew to
: late"
"Then you would forget that I ar
! poorI"
az am rich, BASIL"
"You would give me your hand"
"My heart went with you "
, "Then"-he drew her closer
"Hilda. l am blessed indeed But, love
, l have never been poor. My wealth i
great, and tried TO win you Will
n you did not know. failed, and wen
away, bitter and heart sick; but
+ came tonight to tempt you by tellin
l the truth. All, Hilda, your heart ha
boen true, ard l am blessed; for yo
= have said it, Love is best"
Later, Agnes stole q soft little han
into Hilda's, and whispered at he
ear:
dearest, neither you nor l wa
ever 30 happy as we are tonight
How kind my birthday has been t
both Of US. II gave me Jack, and 20
Iyour lover from afar. Jack knew hir
all the time, Hilda, and he is as gla
as ! to know that all is right at last.
Hilda kissed the sweet lips silentl