The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-08-01

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couid not meet them; she had to look
away. She had begun some pleasant lit
tie welcoming speech, some half laugh
ing allusion to the flowers, but she stop
ped short in the midst of it. A knot Of
half faded roses-his roses--nestled in
her bosom, contrasting with the pure
white OF her dainty gown; and now
those treasured, envied flowers began to
rise and fall, as though rocked ON the
pillows of some clear lake stirred by q
sudden breeze. What he said, he did
not know; she hardly heard, though her
ears drank in every word. She only
realized that both his hands were
tightly clasping hers, and that, scorn-
ing to seek a chair and draw it
10 her side = perhaps, too, because
ne could not bear to release even for an
instant that slender little hand-perhaps
sui more because of the old time chiy-
airy In his nature that had prompted
MN TO ask parental sanction before tell
ing her of his deep and tender love
capt. Lane had dropped on one knee
close beside, and, bending over her, was
pouring forth in broken, incoherent
words the old, old story, of a lovers
hopes and fears and longings-the sweet
ola song that, day after day, year after
year, ay, though sung since Gods crea-
tion OF the beautiful world we live in.
never, never can be heard or sung excent
In rapture. Even though she be cold 70
him as stone, no true women ever lis.
Tened TO the tale of mans true love
without thrill at heart.
Once, only once, in the lifetime of men
like Lane-yes, and of men not half his
peers In depth of character, In intensity
OF feeling-there comes a moment like
this, and, whether, it be in the glow and
fervor and enthusiasm of youth or the
intensity and strength of maturer wears
IL Is the climax of lifetime; it is the
GATE from which all others, all scenes,
trials, triumphs, take their due appor-
uonment; it is the memory of all Others
that fingers to the very last, when all
all but this are banished from the diving
brain. Rome, in her pride of place.
made the building of her capitol the eli
max OF mundane history; everything in
her calendar was "ante urbem condi-
tam" or the reverse. The old world
measured from the food; the new world
our world-measures from the birth of
him who died upon the cross; and the
lifetime OF the man who has once deeply
and devotedly loved has found it's climax
in the thrilling moment of the avowal.
"Have you no word to say to me. Ma
bel?--not one word of hope?-not one?"
he pleaded.
Then she turned her lovely face, look
ing into his deep eyes through mist of
tears.
II do like you," she murmured; II do
honor you so, Capt. Lane: but that is not
what you deserve. There is no one. be-
lieve me, whom | so regard and esteem;
butt do not know am not certain of
myself"
Let me try to win your love, Mabel.
Give me just that right. Indeed, indeed
have not dared to hope that so soon
could win even your trust and esteem.
You make me so happy when you admit
even that"
1T is so little to give in return for
what you have given me-" sheanswered.
softly, while her hand still lay firmly
1eld in the clasp Of his.
"Yet it is so much to me. Think.
Mabel, in four days at most l must go
pack to my regiment ask no pledge
'r promise. Only let me write to you.
only write to me and let me strive to
'rouse at least little love in your true
leart Then by and by-six months,
'erhaps-Iu come again and try my
ate. l know that an old dragon like
ne, with gray hairs sprouting in his
nustache-"
But here she laid her fingers on his
Ups, and then, Selling both her hands,
e bowed his head over them and kissed
hem passionately.
The day of parting came, all too soon.
)uty--the mistress to whom he had
ever hitherto given undivided ALE
him to the distant west.
nd the last night of his stay found him
ending over her in the same old win
ow. He was to take late train for
t. Louis, and had said farewell to all
ut her. And now the moment had ar
we'd. A glance at his watch had told
Inn that he had but twenty minutes in
hich to reach the station.
She had risen, and was standing.
vely picture of graceful womanhood.
er eyes trimming with tears. Both her
lnds were now claspedin his; she could
1T deny him that at such time; but
1T was there not something throbbing
her heart that she longed to tell?
"It Is good-by now" he murmurel.
S whole soul in his glowing eyes, his in
ute love betrayed in those lips culver
g under the heavy mustache.
She glanced up into his face.
"Fred'-and then, as though abashed
her own holiness, the lovely head was
wed again almost on his breast.
What is it, darling? Tell me-" he
1ispered, eagerly, wild, wild hope
rilling through his heart.
Would it make you happier if-ifI
ID you that I knew myself little bet
~
Mabel! Do you mean-do you care
me?"
And then she was suddenly clasped in
J strong, yearning arms and strained
his breast. Long, long afterward he
ID to lift that travelling coat of gray
eed from the frv1nly IN, which ~ 80.