Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-12-19

the reality OF the present as she tola
him in d ff'igid tone that the box was
ready, and he had no pretext for stay
ing longer, so he went away and Elsie
cleared the brrakfast-tablc.
By-aud-by Alice awokc, and her first
thought was OF the finished dress. She
sprang up and shook back Il cloud OF
golden hair that had fallen about her
neck and shoulders, and when Elsie
came in she learned that messenger
from Madame Vincent had been there,
but who the messenger was, Alice little
thought
It would only annoy the poor child;
she has trouble enough, Elsie said to
herself; and the earnest look she had
1ust seen in Robert Winchesters DARK
ewes told palmer than words That the
past was not forgotten; that, notwith-
standing their change circumstances,
his love for Alice was strong as ever;
still, she had ignored the past and
treated him as a stranger.
As Elsie Ellery was employed in a
large drygoods establishment, Alice
usually prepared their simple meals,
That DAY, when dinner was over, and
her sister had returned to her work,
Alice put the little room in order and
sat down to her sewing.
But sad memories seemed to Cypress
her, for pearly tears kept splashing
Town upon her work, and after trying
yainly to take stitch properly, she
bowed her head upon the easement and
gave way to her emotion.
Great sobs conyulsed her frame, and
she took no note OF time or sound; she
did not even hear the opening of the
door, nor did she know that standing
upon the threshold aad looking down
upon her with iuiinte love and tender
ness in his earnest eyes was Robert
Winchester; but when she heard a foot
step on the floor she raised her head
"Oh. my darling' Robert Winchester
exclaimed, in voice that was husky
with emotion, II have found YOU at
last"
lie came towards her with outstreched
arms. aud somehow Alice Ellery forgot
she had released him from his engage
ment, forgot the difference in their
social positions, forgot that she was
poor, while he was rich, and only at
that moment remembered that he was
the man whom she loved above all
other men, and with that supreme
thought, she permitted him to fold her
to his heart in rapturous embrace.
The signing spring breeze rustled the
leaves Of the wide-spreading Gins, birds
twittered to their mates, the sun cast
long shadows across the streets, yet
Robert Winchester fingered.
That lonely little sitting-room held
attractions more alluring than halls of
splendour, and to Alice's protestations
OF poverty he turned a deaf ear.
He had enough and to spare, and
when, at six o'clock, Elsie came home
with appetite sharpened by her day OF
toll, the tea was not made, the fire was
not even lighted.
Alice had not thought it WIS so late,
for she had had a caller. she explained,
and although the diguitied elder sister
tried to froWn, it was of no use. for,
with checks glowing like damask roses,
and with eyes bright as stars, Alice
whispered in her ear that her severed
engagement had been replighted
Although the announcement of that
engagement was at first diseredited, and
gossips declared that it could not be
true that the son of millionaire should
wed poor sewing-girl, time proved
the incorrectness Of their words; and
to-day, as the wife of Robert Winehes-
ter, Alice occupies an enyied position
in society; butas true aud loyal wife
she cares far less for the magniiiceuco
OF her surroundings than tos the love
which misfortune and poverty Jailed to
swerye from its allegiance.