The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-08-13


l hope you know each other"
sirs. Dayton's eyes were fixed upon
the carpet, but there was world of mis-
chief lurking in them
So" she said at length, 81 have, il
seems, the enviahle reputation of being
irresistible ?''
A reputation 50 well deserved as
scarcely to merit repetition" was the
reply.
A number of other gentlemen were by
this time collected around Mrs. Dayton.
Her skill as a fortune-telIer was now
again called into requisition. and many a
hearty laugh rung through the circle at
the witty turns she gave TO each ones
cherished Irritation, or, they thought, 81
lent admiration.
May | see you home p said Horace,
as the rooms began to thin.
Sorry. but | am already engaged.
May | call tomorrow 2H
All I" thought the widow. as she gave
permission, "he intends to commence
his siege in good time"
The next morning the beautiful and
witty widow looked even more lovely
than on the previous evening. She re-
ceived her guest with quiet, easy grace,
and they chatted for some minutes on
Indifferent subjects. Then something
called out remark upon the literature
of the day, and from that they passed on
to books. One author after another was
discussed, quotations flew about as thick
as hailstones, and each was trying to lead
the other out of their depth. Mrs. Day
tons thought was
This man is no fool. in spite Of his
impudent vanity" And Mr.. Cooke was
thinking
What a mind Horace, that wager
must be won. 1t is worth more than a
thousand, dollars, my boy"
From books they passed to music, and
it was an easy ltransition to the grand
piano in the corner. Mr.. Cooke teok his
seat at the instrument to recall to her
memory fayorite air. His voice was
good, his accompaniment showed skill
and taste, and bent upon dazzling the
widow, he sang with much feeling and
power
@Do you remember tins 21 he asked,
touching a few chords Of duet from
Martha, after finishing his own song.
She replied by singing The first notes.
A bold chord supporting her occasionally
she gradually let her voice out in all its
rich beauty, ana his blended with II. He
sang low, listening intently. All who is
dazzled now r.
At last he rose to take his leave, asking
and receiving permission to call again
and Mrs. Dayton took up book, threw
it aside, practiced few moments, and
stopped when she found she was singing
his song, walked out and returned home,
wondering why she could not get that
man out of her mind.
To say that their future intercourse
was pleasant is dull phrase TO describe
it. Each being bent upon making con-
quest of the other, their best powers
were exerted, their richest treasures Of
Wit, accomplishment and thought, dis
played and somehow Mr. Booke began
to feel ashamed of his wager, and Mrs.
Dayton wished she had never seen Hor-
ace Cooke.
1t was one lovely day in early spring
that he called to take her to ride, and
found her sad and dispirited. Fortunes
would not have made her confess it, but
the gay widow was in love.
They were out of town, driving through
an ayenue of splendid trees, when Mr..
Cooke began to talk of love- 1t aroused
the widow from her depression, to ward
off the thrusts she felt he WIS making at
her secret.
Love ~ she said, scornfully. Bah !
A school boys first passion before he
leaves pinafores is dignifed with that
name. An old mans doting is called
love -
Yet the holiest, highest feeling Of
the heart of man in his prime of power
has no higher name said her compas
ion.
Man, she said, scornfully. Man
in his prime of power. I'll tell you how
ii is with men. From the time they
walk to school beside the hoydenish girl
until they are seventy they fancy they
are in love. Every pretty face calls forth
the protestation of a passion you just
tried to dignity. They love fifty times.
and to the fifty-frst fame is offered the
battered, worn-out heart, as if it We're
bran new and fresh"
You wrong u.s. he said, reused in
his turn by the keen satire in her tone
and look Though each admiration of
boyhood and youth may call forth a
passing feeling, it is evanescent and pass
es like ripple on deep water. But when
the depths Of these waters are stirred the /
hurricane of real, earnest true love. it is
no subject for jeers but if not calling for /
a return, it at least merits sympathy and /
comfort. and he let his voice fall int
low, tender cadence
Mrs Dayton felt uncomfortable, and !
the laughing response which rose to her
lips died there, She longed to tell him /
her belief in his doctrine. They were
going slowly, quietly along, each occu
pied with their own thoughts, when the 1
scream of locomotive startled the
horse, and he dashed forward at a full |
gallop.
There was a rush, crash, and they |
were on the roadside-the horse man
gled corpse the carriage thrown violent I
ly back Sc veral feet Mr. Cooke insensi-
bic on the grass, and Mrs. Dayton on
the other side of the road, tlninjured.
Mrs. Dayton sat up, and with a nerv-
Gus, hysterical laugh, called her compan |
ions name. He did not answer she |
went to his side; he was still white. in
snd she thought him dead. /
witha a wild cry she raised his head to
her breast, calling his name. Horace, |
dear Horace" AMI begging him TO look