The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1889-08-22

Gus creature lie nad even met I.
aud with some reluctance he
gave up the dream of his youth,
and resolved Ia WOO and win
the Princess if he could. So
wei his wooing sped, that be,
fore the party broke up lie had
the unspeakable pleasure of
announcing To his friends his
engagement To the bewitching
and aristocfatic Mrs. Dallas.
The wedding was appointed for
the last of October, and the in
tervening time was fully occupi-
eG by the bride i'll the prepara-
ton of a magnificent trousseau,
and by Mr.. West in fitting up Il
mansion worthy of his lovely
bride.
"The evening before the wed
ding-day, they sat iu the draw
ing-rnOm Of Mrs. Dallas charm
ing home, when suddenly the
stiffness of the evening was
broken by changing of bells
and the rattle of wheels, and a
fre-engine dashed around the
corner close by, stopping i'll
front of a house nearly opposite.
Mrs. Dallas rose hastily from
her chair and left the room in
great agitation
81 fear she will never get
over it, said one of her friends
"Over what = SIX e d Mr..
West anXiously. ---.
"rhe fright she got when the
Seminary burned was the re-
ply. She was at school in
Breslau when the girls dormi-
tory was destroyed by fire. Her
roommate was burned to death
and she barely escaped with
her life. She was insensible
for hours, from smoke and
terror.
"The Seminary at Breslau
How it all came back TO him
that night, and all the hours he
had spent i'll dreaming Of the
lovely, frightened girl he had
held i'll his arms; and then he
had loved this fair unknown
even better than he had dream
ed. All well, it was all given
up now, and he would never
know. But of course Mrs.
Dallas was one of the decorated
damsels ; might she not know
the reason for those bits of
court-plasters. and could she
not tell him of his lost love
A wild hope rose in his heart,
only to be dispelled as the lady
who had first spoken told him
that she believed Mrs. Dallas
entered the classes some time
after the term began, and al
ways became so agitated by
any mention of dreadful ex-
perience there, that they never
alluded to it in her presence.
For many months they had
feared for her reason, and only
travel and change of scene and
the most unliring watchfulness
had restored her to health.
"Mr. West appeared SO deep
lv interested in the place and
the terrible occurrence, that
one of the gentlemen asked
him if he had ever been there;
and was greatly surprised to
learn lie was in the school at
the beginning of the term in
which the fire occurred.
"After a little general talk
about the place and the fire
that had almost destroyed the
prosperous institution Mr.. West
found himself quite alone in
his corner of the room with one
Of his most congenial friends
A confidential mood came oveI
him, and turning to his friend
he said Charlie, ! have d
mind to tell yon a very curious
little story about the few days
/ passed at that seminary
ale then, went on to relate
the incidents of the well-re-
membered night, his unavail-
ing efforts to discover who wa.
the fair intruder, aud, finally
the deep and abiding affection
that grew out of the memory OF
the one moment during which
he held her clasped closely to
his heart. Il tell you, Charlie
| have been the most devoted
of lovers, devoted to tie mem
Ory of a moment and | some
times think, even now, nothing
in the world is so dear to me
and that / would exchange
everything but life itself fol
the realization of the dream ]
have cherished all of these
years
wYour "princess" oul6
scarcely feel flattered by sucl
a statement was the reply.
No, | suppose not but de
not understand that / fail e1thel
ir love or loyalty to my promis
ed bride. This is quite another
sentiment. | sigh for that
memory, as a man grieves fo3
his lost youth with all its fresh
ness and strength. Oh, no
there is not a sentiment of dis
LOYALTY in my thoughts toward
lny peerless "Princess." [ shal