Daily Republican., 1888-01-25

soldier boy away.
Five years pass away, and Paul |
Ainslie is the gayest man IN the fash
Ionable world. II was there he met
Constance Beaumont, whom his dead
friend loved. and who at last had
promised to, become his wife. The |
memory of the fair-haired boy be-
1rothed to her in death she cannot for
get. 1t rises and confronts her in the
midst OF pleasure She sees his face
rs she stands before the altar with
Paul Ainsie as the solemn words are
spoken that will make them man and
wife.
Paul stretches forth his hand to
plight their troth, while Constance's
Slight fingers flutter into his palm. He
Is about to press them in a warm
clasp, when an icy hand steals in be
tween and a shadowy form stands be-
tore the bride.
Her arms fall to her side. An
awful pallor comes upon her face.
With lips apart, with eyes distended
in horror, she conironts the phantom;
then, with one long, wild cry-''Wil-
iridi Wllfrid"-she falls like stone
into Paul's arms.
In the same state she is borne from
the carriage and laid upon her bed.
He throws himself upon his knees
beside the couch and clasping her in
animate form TO his throbbing heart
in paroxysm of despair he means:
"Oh, Constance, my beloved, come
back to life and msl'
AS If In answer to his prayer she
moves, her dark eyes opening upon
him with wild gaze as OF fear; then
there comes passionate burst OF weep
ing that shakes her from head to foot.
"Thank Godl' cries Paul, "her
reason will be sparedl'
The storm of tears spends itself al
last and Constance beckons to hei
lover.
"Send them away, she says of those
who surround her. AZ have much to
say to you, Paul; but we must be
clone.
She tells him how she loved Win
trid Denver, and that the letter buried
with him contained her acceptance o
his offered hand.
| When the news of his death reached
her she had resolved TO live unwedded
Tor his sake; but after years had passed
Pauls devoted love won her heart
and, in spite of q warning PRESENT.
ment, she accepted him.
| Paul muses. deeply tor time.
! "Willrid Denver was my friend,
| L. Iant tsn1ar trn,,nf, failnpy
how little thought that the Constance
he loved would come TO bc min,
alsolp
She shivers.
"Alasl Never yoursl No though
OF marriage can ever again be between
usl l release you from our engage
ment." says her sad voice.
Constance" cried Paul, edo yol
seriously mean that this phantom is /,
sever us2p
at must be sol am bound to tn
dead, and even in the grave he claim
my promise!'
= but, Constance, p
She interrupts him. dearest, Loo
here"
Taking from her desk a folde
paper, she puts it into his hand.
1t is Wilfrid Denyer's last letter. O
the first page are traced these words:
at ay be that ere receive you
answer-the answer which will brin
r joy or desolation-l shall be lyin
dead upon the battlefield. Yet, shout
that be my fate, believe that even il
death l shall know if you return m
love. And, my darling, fear tina
should another claim your troth Il
after years l shall rise even from IN
grave to stand between you"
Paul reads this in silence.
you see," Constance says, sadly
"Wiltrid keeps his word. pledge
myself to him; he claims that troth II
death Paul, say farewell. l shal
: never be yours in life | am promises
TO the deadr
She speaks the words with a mourn
full solemnity; her lips quivering, he
eyes filled with tears.
Paul strives wildly TO change thi
|. decision, but in vain. lie finds ii i'm
i possible TO dissuade her FROM the fixe,
: idea that she is doomed never t
{ marry.
At last they art-despairing love il
0 both tleir hearts-part, 10 see eacl
4 others lace no more,
6 When time has brought balm L
: Paul's aching heart and taught hin
, some sembl nee OF resignation, as b,
I wanders through a country church
( yard he sees funeral procession ap
proaching. With IA strange present
ment upon him he stands awaiting 1t
y Slowly the mOurnful cortege glide
2 along the winding road, through III
lych. gate. until it rests beside an orel
grave.
The pail is lifted. Paul looks on tn
coffin plate. 1t bears the name c
CONSTANCE Beaumont
He totters a few steps EDWARDS an
Q falls into the outstretched arms of
.bystander. Bending over him, tn
man lifts his head and gazes into III,
! face OF the dead
Beyond this liie-with all its doubts
,, Tits fears, its hali.understood mysteries
{ land solemn secrets-Paul Ainsiie ant
|, Constance Beaumont meet again
,Perchance where there is mo marry
! ing or giving in marriage" their low
Twill find fuldlment more blessed
than that of earth.