The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-01-18
PARTED.

"Tu, wouldn't allow it II were you.
think it is outrageous" !"
'What is outrageous, Fannyf" and
Lucy Elliot raised her calm blue eyes to
her cousin face.
"Why, the way Ralph Leland is act
ins. l saw him myself to-day on the
street with May Walters"
"Well, l don't see anything outrageous
in a gent eman lappening to meet lady
on re street and walking with her"
Happening to meet her !" cried Fanny
Indignantly. Its very strange how often
Ralph Leland happens to meet May
Wat rs OF late But it's no use of talk-
ing to you, Lu, you take everything so
easy. One would think you didn't care
whether Ralp pI Leland was deceIving you
or not, and Fanny tiounced out OF the
room.
Not care whether Ralph was deceiving
her or not Lucy Elliot looked down at
Ralph Leland's engagement ring spark
ling on Ler finger, and her calm blue
eyes seemed TO light up suddenly and
return 4e sparkle OF tie precious stone.
AL Fanny little dreamed VIII At Ralph
Leland was to Lucy. She had given i'm
the iirst love of her heart No: Ralpa
never would deceive her She uad heard
gr at many stories about his attention
TO May Walters of late, but ste was
Ralph promised wife.
Lucy's thoug rs ran on in this strain.
Presently some one entered e room
ani crossed to W ere she was sitting.
A nan rested gently on her Lead, aud
an airy yoise sud:
"a penny Tor your thoughts, my loves
Iucy's heeks wers like two ros s as
she looked up and met the bright, hand
some face OF ner loyer.
-'Good evening, 4.alph; my thoughts
were of you"
"Th n They're not worth a penny,
Lu v, said t.alph. earnestly.
w at was II that ma . Lucy shiver
and the brighi pink fade from her facs 2
Wont you be seated, Ralph ?'
''-Aot this evening, Lucy. I've made-
l mean, have some business TO attend
10. ] can re main but a few minutes"
After her lover left her Lucy sat for
some minutes with h-r arms folded. gag
ins into the lire. What terrib feeling
was this which came over her?
AS she rose from her chair her ewes
caught white paper that lay on the
floor. Sne plCked 1t up. 1t was a folded
sheet of note paper. a few lines, traced
in a delicate hand, met her view, and
she read them in glance:
"DEAREsr RALPH: II you love ma
better than her, you viii be with me this
evening, at o'clock.
MAY WALrERs."
Neither moan nor cry escaped Lucy's
white lips as she read those lines. she
stool for a minute as if turned to stone /:
then, looking up Rt the clock on the
mantel, she hastily left the room.
1t wanted a quarter of :, ami n q few
minutes Lucy had on ner hat and cloak,
and was hurrying in the director OF Nay
Walters.
A few minutes brisk walking brought
her in sight OF May s nome. and sae was
not a moment too soon. She stood still
as she saw her lover approach and run
lightly up the steps of Mays dwelling.
She watched her lover until he disap-
peared within the house then, turning
away, she slowly retraced her footst ps
homewarl with that feeling in her hear,
that only those wno have loved and lost
ever know.
It was evening. Lucy Elliot sat in the
same room where but last nigat she
parted from her lover.
Are you here, Lucy ?'
1t was kalph Leland who asked the
question.
Yes" came in Lucy's quiet tones.
"Ah, Fanny told me would tini yor
here" and he crossed over TO where she
was sitting. Lucy, ! received a letter
from you to-day, and our engagement
ring. What does it mean:
II ultduo Just NLLtI ~ says j WdQi
my freedom give you back yours"
''But, Lucy, you give no reason ?''
cit is woman's prerogative TO chang,
her mind when she pleases, you know
i 90 not care to give you any othe,
reason" and Lucy laughed lightly.
AMI You are sure, Lucy, you won't b,
sorry Tor what you have done z"
ute sure, Mr.. Leland"
Ralph Leland drew a breath of relief
4 - fsatnF FrlaHV1 afsao I.
Ing merriiy on his way to May Matters
''They parted as all lovers part
she with her wron "a and breaking heart,
BIt he, rejoicing to be free,
Bounds like captive from his chain
Aud willfully believing she
Hath found her liberty again.
or, if dark thoughts viii cross his mind.
They a-e but clouds before the wind"
81 Don't want no rubbish, no I'm
sentiments, IL you please" said In
i r-r.aF aFanNFk faf to.