Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-10-11

was only IAc nave DCCA.
Autumn had touched the mountain
and hillside into a glorious beauty of
brown and red. Then came winters
tagging footsteps, mercifully bearing the
exquisite white shroud of snow to cover
up all signs Of devastation and decay.
The season in the gay world was at its
height. Occasionally murmurs among
the debutantes for its honOrs arose at the
fact that, though Miss Viners fifth win
ter, her former success paled in its most
effulgent light She and Lieutenant
Fleetwell constantly met. She almost
wished he might avoid her, but at their
first chance encounter he had approached
with Outstretched hand.
"How charmingly you are looking,
Miss Viner," he had said. And all in
vain she had watched for tremor in his
tone, or a shadow of embarrassment IN
his manner.
"Only week between him and ship
wreck" she thought, bitterly. ooh, he
has sailed so far from the fatal rock that
doubtless he would now laugh at its sup
posed danger-and II was weak enough
to think he stood upon the precipice's
brink!'
The new year had come, and one even
ing Dorothy stood alone in her fathers
drawing room, looking out at the fast
gathering darkness, when through its
sombre shade she saw a figure pass and
mount the steps. GA visitor" she ut
tered, YEARLY; then waited the inevi-
table announcement she knew must fol-
low. But spite of her every effort, she
started when the servant, throwing open
the door, called out ''Lieutenant Fleet
WE'LL" Oh, how glad she was that the
rooms were not yet lighted as she went
forward to receive him!
''May 1 welcome you in darkness?'' she
questioned.
Gas you will, " he answered. II have
but few moments to stay. am come
to bid you good-by and to ask you to
wish me bon voyage"
''Bon voyage! You are going
abroad?"
Eyes. l sail on Thursday. I hesitated
about calling, but my desire to see you
led me to believe you would pardon my
audacity in supposing my going a ques-
ton of enough moment to make it
worthy special call"
''My friends are always welcome. I
did not suppose it necessary you should
hear that repeated now"
''Nor is it. 1t was only morbid
fancy on my part which induced me to
question it. I shall come back, | trust,
with my mind clearer. At least [ shall
be some years older. When / return [
presume l shall look for Miss Dorothy
Viner in vain, until find her in some
matron, equally charming. | cannot
imagine her quite staid and portly."
So he could speak thus lightly of her
becoming the wife of another man! And
he was going away; she might never
again hear his voice nor see his face. It
was to 0 cruel! He and fate were too
strong for her. The tears gathered in
the black eyes, but the darkness hid
them.
He ratified on-she had no need to
speak. The he rose to go.
"Good-by, Miss Viner" -he took her
hands in both his-'tGood-by God
bless youW
Was it her fancy that just at the last
his voice trembled?
He crossed the room; he had gained
the door Another instant he would be
gone; another instant it might be too
late
"Jerome" she said softly.
Two strides, it seemed, brought him
back to her side.
"You called me, for what? To make
my going harder?"
"Oh, is it hard In mercy tell me, for
my own heart is breaking!"
your heart is breaking! Dorothy,
Dorothy! what does this mean" But
the sound of her sobs was the only
answer.
Dorothy" he continued, ''can it be
that have judged you wrongly? Look
up, my darling! Is it your wish that I
should stay?"
Then she found her voice. II thought
you did not love me enough" she muir
INJURED. 'But stay, or if you must go
take me with you"
II WILL" he answered her simply as he
folded her in his arms
A month later great steamer moved
slowly out to sea, and as they stood on
the deck, hand clasped in hand, with the
salt breeze blowing keenly in their faces,
it bore them away into the placid beauty
of the coming night, toward the Old
World and the new life.-Neoo York
Graphic.
Branding Bees.