Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1889-05-04
LURED AWAY:
or,
The Story Of a Wedding-Ring.
BY CHARLOTTE NJ. BRAEME.
CHAPTER I.

- 'a'EN NAA1 olhtt o1lol%
to their history? The love of which they
were the outward symbol is known on
earth no more-the wave of time has passed
over it, obliterating all trace; but what
poetry, what romance, what tragedy ever
equaled the stories attached to these old
worn wedding-rings?
have ii story to tell of onc-thc ring
that Paul Waldron placed on his wife's
finger-a ring of plain thick gold.
The birds that had built their nests in
the grand old trees Of Dene Woods were
singing their vesper hymn: the forest
glades, the dells and knobs. the dark tan
gled shrubs, were all bathed in "A flood of
golden sunset light.
On the eastern side of the wood stood
the pretty little cottage that had been
given to Paul Waldron for himself and
his beautiful young wife-a cottage such
as English poets delight to sing of-all
| covered with wild roses and woodbine, and
with trailing sprays of jasmine, its win
dows framed with flowers, its rustic porch
vergrow with scarlet creepers, and it.
large, old-fashioned garden containing al
most every sweet flower that grows.
AS ii appeared now in the evening sun.
light, the air SO full Of richest fragrance,
the roses all abloom. the little brook close
by singing rs it ran, the birds filling the
air with jubilant song. the cottage in it.
self furnished matter for n poem.
At the door, looking ~intently down one
Of the broad woodland paths, stood u
young and most beautiful woman-Ismay
Waldron, Paul Waldron's wife. and moth
er of the lovely little boy playing OF the
grass. She was only nineteen, and marked
by great girlish beauty.
She had hair of shining brown, which
looked ike gold in the sunshine: ii covered
a head OF most perfect shape and symme-
try, falling in waving masses round a neck
that also was perfect-it was such hair
as the old masters loved to paint in their
famous pictures of Mary Magdalcnc. She
had eyes of an indescribable sviolet hue.
with "A golden light in their clear depths;
they were bright and proud, but the long
sjlkcn lashes sottened them into WoudrOus
beauty, Her brows were straight, and her
forehead was white, rounded nj the tenn
pies, and full of ideality. She had ripe red
lips, the upper one short, the lower one
full-a beautiful mouth that would have
made even Il plain face lovely; the chin
was delicatcly moulded. "1d the curves of
the neck and shoulders were full of grace.
lsmay Waldron was that most perfect
of all pOems-a beautiful woman. Her
dress was quite plain, but the homely ma
terial only showed the marvellous beauty
Of her girlish figure to greater advantage,
The hand that shaded her eyes was white
and graceful. One might have wondered
how shelving in n cottage, the wife of "A
man who worked hare for his daily bread
came by this dainty beauty, this deli
cate, graceful loneliness that would have
been tit dowry for "A queen.
Suddenly her eyes frightened, and a
low musical laugh came from her lips.
She heard her husbands footsteps, saw
him in the distance, and fastened to meet
him.
Paul Waldron had the true Norman type
Of face-dark, handsome. full of fire and
power. He had dark eyes from which an
undaunted soul looked out on the world,
dark hair that clustered round n noble
head, firm, well-closed lips, a tall, manly
figure, a free, independent carriage n
bearing, as though he felt himself to be
any mans e~qual-and SO indeed he did.
His whole face changed and softened
when he saw his beautiful young wife.
You are waiting for me, my darling,'
he said-"waiting and watching for me"
She clasped her little white hands round
his arm, and they walked slowly home to-
gether.
You have not been dull to-day, Ismay,
! hope?" said the young husband, ques-
tioningly.
Not more dull han usual, " she replied.
"Oh, Paul. make haste to be rich, aud let
Us leave this quiet, homely little cottage"
His eountenance fell rs he listened 10
her. He drew the beautiful face toward
him, and kissed it with - passion that
knew no words.
My darling wi E., to me this little cot
taCe is more beautiful thar II palace; that
is because | love you so dearly and il is
our nome. Do You not love it also?"
She smiled carciesSly.
yes; but | cannot 20 into raptures over
it. When we ave "a grand mansion-a
large house full of all kinds of beautiful
thiugs-then shall be as charmed us ever
You wish me to be-"
But, lSmay. | must work long and
hard. dear, before attempting 10 fine you
"a large house. Will you never be happy
or content until henE"
A slight shadow came over her face.
"My darling" he continued, earnestly,
you VIII ucNti VII, liz iut.-yOu Will
never be happier than you are now. You
nave sunshine and music all the day long;
the birds sing to on the little brook there
murmurs sweetest melody. i am nc poet,
Ismay-not even an educated man--but l
can hear all these. You have bright flow
ers, the beauty Of the morning heavens,
| the glory of the sunset, the long cleaning
and soft dcwy nights. You will never be
happier, sweet
With a careless smile she looked into his
| earnest face.
Il should Ike a large house best" she
said.
Il have you here all 10 myself" he re-
sumed, my beautiful bird Of bright
plumage, and | can worship you rs | do.
Your beatty makes my heart glad-your
| love makes earth like heaven TO me-. But,
if we were rich. and lived in the great
world, you would belong to SO many 9TH
ers. others would delight in your lowell
ness, and follow you with praise. You
know those favorite lines OF mine. lsmay--
"'Tis in your eyes, my sweetest love,
Ny only world | see,
Let hut their orhs in sunshine move,
And earth below and skies above
May frOwnO or smi q for me
| I should not like my beautiful wife to be
admired by all the world. | am jealous,
and would fain keep her all to myself"
THAT is just what would please me-"
she said az long for this beautiful great