Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-03-21
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she had ever shed
1T Is all over--Miss Viner has refused
him. This was the general verdict
NG-r, "a hours ater. Jerome fl.elweli
llaie his friends adieG, and withdrew a.
own ON plea of sudden business.
"The news soon reached Dorothy's ear.
II have not refused him, she said aloud;
"not even that satisfaction is mine, " she
said to herself-~nor ever will bel IL
WAS only the might have been.'"
lie was not man, she knew full we'll,
10 plunge desperately into flirtation. or
associate his name at once with another
womans, or To retire later or rise earlier
or in any way disturb the even tenor Of
his way. The difference b,tween them
was only this--his heart WIS healing,
perhaps already healed, but he would
bear its scar TO the grave; hers was a
fostering sore. vhich hurt the more
that she had let the physician who
might work its cure pass her 10y.
The summer wanes to close Au-
tumn had touched the mountain aud
hillside into a glorious beauty of brown
and red. Then came winters tagging
quisite white shroud OF snow 10 cover
up all signs of devastation aud dtcay.
The season in the gay world was at
its height Occasionally murmurs among
the debutantes for its honors aross at
the fact that, though Miss Vmer's fifth
winter, her former success Ialed la its
most effugent light She aud Lieuten-
ant Fleetwrll constantly met. she al-
most wished he might avoid her. but at
their first chance encounter he had app
preached with outstretched hand.
~How charningly you are looking.
Miss Viner," lie had said. And all in
vain she had watched for lremor in
his tone, or shadow OF embarrassment
in his manner
Only week between him and ship
wreck" she thought Utterly. "Oh. he
has sailed SO far from tile fatal rock that
doubtless he would now laugh at it's
supposed danger-and III WAS weak
enough to think he stood upon the preci-
pice's brnkr
The hew year had come, and one even
ing Dorothy stood alone in her fathers
drawing room, locking out at the fast
gathering darkness, when through its
somber shade SHE SAW figure pass aud
mount the steps 4 visit.r,p she ut
tered wearily; then waited the inevit-
able announcement she knew must fol-
low. But, spite of her every effort. she
started when the servant. throwing
open the door, called out Lieutenant
Fleetwelli" Oh, how glad she was that
the rooms were not yet lighted as she
went forward to receive himl
MAY ! welcome you in darkness 2"
she questioned.
CAS- you viii" he answered. II have
but few moments to stay. / am come
TO bid you good 10y and TO ask you to
wish me bon voyage"
Bon voyagel You are going abroadi'
"Yes / sail OH Thursday. l besi-
tated about calling, but my desire to see
you led me to believe you would pardon
my audacity in supposing my going q
question Of enough moment to make it
worthy a special call"
my friends are always welcome.
did not suppose il necessary you should
hear that repeated now"
''Nor is it. 1t was only a morbid
fancy on my part which induced me 10
question it shall come back, trust,
with my mind clearer. At least shall
be some years older. When l return
presume | shall look for Miss Dorothy
Viner in vain, until find in her some
matron, equally charming. can not
imagine her quite staid aud portly."
SO he could speak thus lightly Of her
becoming the wife of another man7
And he was going away she mightnever
again hear his voice nor see his face. IL
was too crueil He and fate were too
strong for her. The tears gathered in
the black eyes, but the darkness hid
them.
He ratified on-she had no need to
speak. Then lie rose TO go.
Good by, Miss Viner!-he took her
hands in both his-"Good by! God bless
you'll"
Was it her fancy that just at the last
his voice trembled?
He crossed the room; lie had gained
the door. Another instant he would be
gone; another instant it might be too
late.
Jeromel" she said softly.
Two strides, it seemed, brought him
back to her side.
"You called me, for whatS To make
my going harderI'
"Oh, is it hardI Ia mercy tell me, for
my own heart is breakinsi'
Your heart is Lreakingl Dorothy.
Dorotlyl what does tiIis mean 2" But
the sound Of her tobs was his only am
sweF.
Dorothy" lie continued, @can it be
that have judged you wrongly Look
up, MY darling! Is it your wish that
snould stay p
Then she found her voice. II thought
you did not love me enough. she nur-
INJURED But stay, or If you must go
take me with you.
Il will. he answered her simply, as
he folded her In his arms.
A month later a great steamer moved
slowly out 10 sea, and as they stood on
the deck, hand clasped in hand. with
the salt breeze blowing keenly in their
faces, it bore them away into the placid
beauty Of the coming night, toward the
Old World aud the new life. Walter
/ Rlakey