The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1888-12-05
Halls ROMANCE.

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laughter Of its occupants
Leaning on the arm OF an elderly gentle.
man stood a Beautiful girl, hooded and
cloaked The two were evidently awaiting
their carriage, for the old gentleman NUT.
tered irritably;
well, weili will our turn never comet
told Joseph particularly to be here on time. =
Tbs girl paid little or no attention to her
companion. Her eyes were directed toward
a finely built young fellow who was talking
'eafnestly to friend
ssWill he not even bid me good nightr' she
thinks tears Starting to her eyes.
At this moment tho gentleman and his
friend walked out into the street, arm in
arm
At this juncture their carriage drove up
and after administering to Joseph reprooi
far his tardiness, the old gentleman handed
his fair companion into the vehicle, followed
and slammed the door to. Joseph spitefully
cut the OFF gray with his whip, and they
were whfrled rapidly away.
AT the next street they passed the before
mentioned gentleman and his friend; but be
did not see the white face, with its quiverine
lips, nor the tear laden eyes that looked out
upon him for second as the carriage few
past. And yet, strange to say, the young
men were az that very moment speaking OF
her.. The younger was saying:
Hal, why the deuce did you act so coldly
ri might say, almost rudely--to Miss Thorne-
dale to-nighti Why, 1t was the talk of the
whole room. Do you know that in the lobby
she waited for you to say good night to her,
when you dragged me Off SO precipitatelyp
A sigh was Halls rejoinder.
Can it be that you don't care for heri
Can't you see, man, that she's head over ears
in love with your
A panied expression passed for moment
over Halls handsome face as he answered:
YES, alasi have seen it,
What ~ exclaimed his companion
you've known it, and still treated her like a
brutea Halstead Moore, you have heart of
adamantln
Chester, would that had-would that l
hadip
There was something in his tone so indie
scribably sad that his friend looked at him
for a moment in establishment.
81 say, Hal, what's up with you to-nightl
I've never known you TO be like this before. u
No answer to this. The question was not
pushed, and SO they walked ON in silence,
until Halls companion suddenly stopped.
well, here am at home. VIII you step
in for awhiler'
Hal evidently did not hear, for he returned
no answer
HAL, you've something on your mind.
Now don't deny it; your face shows it only
too plainly. Mind, don't ask your conf
dencei but II can be Of any use In extri-
eating you from any trouble, pecuniarily or
otherwise, command me, and II it's in my
power it will be done.n
Hal grasped his companions outstretched
hand and said feryently:
Thanks, old fellow, thanks! You have
been true friend to me, Chester, and there.
fore why should you not have my confidencel
Yes, have something on my mind, some
thing that is making mo miserable, and life
well nigh unbearablen
Chester led the way to his apartments, and
soon both were ensconced in easy chairs,
pipes in hand, and brandy and soda within
reach.
The friendship Of these two men had origi-
mated at Florence, where both were studying
painting. Their support depended entirely
on their calling, both being special artists on
a popular weekly. Halstead Moore lived
with his mother In a neat little cottage In the
suburbs. Little or nothing was known of
the Moores or their past. On this subject
Hal had never opened his heart to Chester,
and the latter, with uncommon delicacy,
forebore embarrassing his friend with ques-
tions.
After few nervous puffs and q hasty sip
at his brandy and soda, Hal plunged alb
ruptly into his recital.
"Chester, you asked me while ago
whether or not cared for Helen Thornedale.
do care for her; nay, / love her, l idolize
herl By day, by night, she is before me; my
thoughts, my dreams are but Of her In
view Of this fact, you win wonder more than
ever at my treatment OF Miss Thornedale.
will tell you the secret Of my troublen
He had overcome his agitation, and now
spoke with due elaboration.
MY parents marriage was the result OF an
elopement, in consequence of which my pa
ternal grandfather cursed his son on his
dcathbed. He prayed that ruin might follow
all his endeavors and those Of his children.
This death scene affected my father deeply.
He became morose and unloving One night,
six months later, neighbor broke the ter
rible intelligence TO my mother that her hus-
band was dead, drowned while crossing the
ice covered river on homeward journey.
His body was never recovered. Among his
effects was found a sealed letter which was to
be delivered to me Il was then two months
old, when / should attain INV majority Nv
mother carefully preserved that letter nm.
opened. and ON INV twenty first birthday do.
livered IL to me. II contained a sketch NJ
what have told you, and concluded with an
injunction never to marry, as the consequence
must be unhappiness. That injunction I look
upon as message from the dead, and one
that 1 must hold sacred. Now you know
why dare not declare my love to Helen
Thornedale." w
So deeply interested in his friends recital
has Chester become, that his brandy and soda
remains untouched. Attic conclusion Of the
narrative he settles back In his chair ex-
claiming:
well, WE'LL Who would have thought
such . romance mingled with matter OF fact
Old Halls lifefh
Two months later saw Hal and Chester on
their way to the north Of Scotland, where
they had been sent to sketch picturesque
series of ruins. They had lettArs Of iutrod,,c.
ton to a part owner Of the paper, Hugh Mac.
Leod, who cordially invited them to make
his dwelling their headquarters. Only too
happily did they accept this kind offer, nor