The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1888-10-06

And wave their hands in mute fare
well -
Il declare, Matey, you are really
cross to-day You snapped quite
yiciously at me ust now when l
spoke of your guest, Mr.. Gerard.
What is the matter with you 2'
My cousin Iilith sat up in the
hammock in which she had been
idly swinging for the last half hour,
and glanced curiously at me as she
spoke it was so unusual, this dis
play of temper on my part, that
Lilith was surprised how was she
to know that at the sound of Felix
Gerard's name my heart stopped
beating, and felt as if was suffo-
eating, and, if spoke sharply, it
was only that she might not guess
how | suffered ?
"There is nothing the matter with
me-" said, in answer to her qu es-
ton. 81 feel tired am going to my
room. | shall take nap and get
rid of my temper before dinner"
l left her as l spoke. But, when l
gained the seclusion of my own room
l locked the door, and instead of
preparing for II nap gave way to my
bitter misery.
Could it be possible that it was
only yesterday that Felix Gerard
had asked me to be his. wife-I, an
orphan and penniless, dependent
on the bounty of my kind aunt,
while he was rich and handsome, a
fit mate for the greatest lady in the
land No wonder that my happin-
ess seemed too great to last. | felt as
if heaven had suddenly opened its
portals. Oh, the rapture Of that mo-
ment, when his dear arms were
about me, and / felt his touch
81 shall speak to your aunt to-
morrow, little one, said he. 81 have
something to tell you both about
myself, something you ought tc
know but for this one day we will
keep our secret, sweetheart"
What a happy day it was Think
only one day of a lifetime ; one day
Of happiness, to compensate for Q
life Of misery
We spent the afternoon on the
water, returning in time for dinner
As we said goodnight, he took me
in his arms and kissed me.
dearest little woman, you have
made me very happy, and l will try
hard to make your future life Il hap
Ply one. God bless my own darling
Good night"
The next morning, when | awoke
| wondered for moment what haC
happened to make me so intensely
happy. | remembered and jumped
quickly out of bed, began my toilet
no ioreboding of sorrow came to mt
then.
Our letters were laid near tn,
plates at breakfast, and when [ en-
tered the dining room, 1 noticed
these was one for Felix. He came il
later, and when he saw the letter, h
opened it, and when he read the
color left his face, and he looked lik,
a man suddenly bereft of life. H
recovered himself, and making al
excuse left the room.
My breakfast remained untouched
| felt that he was in trouble of som,
kind, but what ? .
8 An hour later, note was brough
me by one Of the maids 1t wa
from Felix
MATEY | am in the summC
house at the corner of the lane. Wi
n you come to me when you reciev
this Something has happned.
J can say no more till | see yol
Felix
snatched up garden hat tha
was in the hall, and ran instead G
e walked, till came to where m
i darling waited. Without giving hir
+ time to speak, l said
ooh, Felix, what is it ? | SAY
your face when you read that hate
full letter at breakfast, and 1 know
that something is wrong have yor
lost your money?
"Would to God that were all Nc
dear my money is quite safe bu
oh Matey, do not know how t
tell you the truth"
"Whatever it is, tell me at once
l can bear anything but suspense.
"You remember that yesterday
said l had something to tell yo
about myself. You never guesse
that | had been married"
l staggered back.
Married ! And you dare ask me
be your wife !"
u "For Gods sake, little one, do NJ
lool, ~ mo l;l,o tbottT ~, not