The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1891-07-29

- n nazsuaz
strain Of another Richard Brinsley Sheri.
dan act Come down town with me, old
man. III blow you of to a farewell dinner
at Browns"
Arnold hesltated moment. He did not
care to accept the hospitality of man SO
deep in debt. However, the long vacation
was at hand and he could not see his ehum
again for three months 1t would not do to
offend him at such time.
All right, Hal Ill be with you In a
moment. l fear that down town my
present costume would not be considered
good form"
1t was nearly nine o'clock when Otis left
bis chum at the restaurant and set out for
Rhoda Barr's house. With the reckless
ness OF sanguine temperament upon
which burden Of debt rested rs lightly as
oil upon water. he mad ordered n luxurious
dinner and hal had the score charged to
his long-stauding account.
As he hurried onward the beauty OF the
night thrilled him with delight. A II
moon sloAe down upon land luxiiriatiug
In the giIrhtnre Of summer. A gem
breeze famed his cheeks and brought to
him tho odor OF flowers and aromatic
shrubs.
sob, Harry, have yon come at last?"
cried Rhoda, as he entered the parlor.
Throwing her arms, bare to the elbow,
around his neck, she whispered; was SO
tired waiting for your
What had happened to the night? OF q
sudden the moonlight seemed less brilliant,
the perfume OF the flowers was gone, his
spirit, moment back attunod to the har-
monies around him, rcyoted against
what? He hardly knew Perhaps his con-
science might have told him.
Hand in hand they sat by the open win
dow, silent for time. At length she muir
INJURED.
TELL me what troubles you cheri?
do you not guess?" he asked moro
coldly than he knew. / can not see you
again for months"
A smile played across her pale face, but
In her eyes was the CLEAN of tears as she
looked up to him.
"Why not2 shall be here all summer
New York is not 80 very far away. You
can come to me now and then
He did not answer. A gentle, girlish face
was before him and his heart told him that
he loved not the woman at his side Why
should he not tell her SO? 1t would be
cruel blow, but In the end would 1t not be
best? A blush of shame suffused his
cheeks. He had been deceiving her for
months; he had been selfish unmanly,
cruel But would 1t not be even worse to
leave her now In the belief that she still
possessed his heart.
The intuitions of a woman--e especially Of
a woman in love-are quick and searching
Rhoda had withdrawn her hand and now
stood erect before him, cold and self-con-
tanned, though the trembling Of her lips
betokened the agitation OF her soul
You do not answer" she said in low,
vibrant voice. You have grown weary OF
me; you love me not"
He sprang up in dismay. How was IL
that she had read his thoughts? He stood
dumb before her; his face CHASTITY palo.
speak" she implored. "Oh, Harry, do
not break my hearth There was the echo
OF sob In her voice.
Harlan, plying the woman, hating him.
self, threw an arm about her neck and
drew her face to his. Kissing her he
whispered: Rhoda, You deceive yourself.
You know -" He hesitated an instant.
The lie he was about to utter stuck in his
throat.
STOP" she cried, placing an ice-cold
hand on his lips. Be careful what you
say. There are women who like to be de-
ceived. / am not one OF them Sit down
again. See, / am as calm as the moon IT.
self. Now, Harry. search your heart ard
tell me what you find. Is there not there
ghost--the shadow of a love now dea'
Is there not there another face than mine?
Tell me the truth. | love you too well,
Harry, to stand between you and happl-
ness"
The unselhshness of this woman added
to the young mans misery. What should
he say to her? Could he tell her that her
jealous soul had read his secret, that his
tickle nature was weary OF the ties th't
bound him to herr She had given up so
much for him She had sacrificed overy-
thing that woman holds dear to her lows,
to the first real passion of her ur-
happy life. He knew that ono word from
him would destroy forever her dreamo Of
toy-and he was silent.
She sat quiet for awhile, rs though
turned to stone. The room had grow 4
dark, for heavy clouds had extl1gu;she
the white light OF the nioon Suddenly
she arose again.
You do not answer" she moaned, "Oh,
leave me, leave me. / wish 10 be alone"
Sinking upon sofa, she buried her face
In the pillow, while her frame shook con-
vulsively.
Harlan Otis gazed at her in silence for
moment, then, muttering TO himself :" 1t is
better SO" hurried from the house,
The night had undergone a vast change.
Black clouds had obseured the moon, while
the rumble of thunder Ibrated along the
western hills. A flash of lightning nov
and then CLEANED across the sky. A cold
wind whistled through the tree-tops. All
nature seemed TO welcome the coming
storm.
The young man FASTENED onward, hard
ly conscious whero he was. The rebellion
OF the elements seemed In accord with thu
agitation of his soul What had he
done? He scarcely knew. In his ears
rung the sob OF a woman he once had loved
and into his face her eyes gazed reproa, b.
fully. IL was more than he could bear.
Leaning against a tree and raising his
arms toward the threatening sky he cried
out In despair:
"oh. God, / wish that were deadl"
(7o be continued nert sUeek)