Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-11

some reputation, jealous and persevering in
whatsoever be undertook. He took long walks
with Miss Stuart, rambling through the beauti-
| ful woods around Bearhaven, and often the two
made sketches together, comparing their re-
spective styles and giving each other hints and
suggestions. Had Frank been a jealous lover
he would have seen a dangerous intimacy
springing up between his fiance and her artist
| friend. But he saw nothing, and only worked
drearily on. brooding over his hard lot and
trying to conceal his trouble from others. One
day in the early part of July Mary came to him
very nervous and greatly agitated. Frank, "
she faltered, Il have something must tell you.
Don't please don't be uIkind, or think harshly
of me- Frank" great hope surged through
his being, which he crushed.
Go on, Mary" he said, quietly, II will help
you if 1 can in any way, and rely on me never
to be unjust"
Dear Frank" she continued, 'T-I-Mr.
Delaney has-has asked me to marry him
think hardly Of me, have always been fond Of
you, but"
MARY" he interrupted very gently yet very
earnestly, II release you from the engagement
which has been but a burden to us both. Let
us come to an understanding with each other
now and put an end to this miserable farce
which has been acted between US. / have not
loved you as a lover ought, but could not tell
you so. Mr.. Delaney is congenial to you and
will make you q much more loving and truer
i,
as for me, why will tell you a secret" And
then he told her all about his love for Mabel
Venisse. And when they parted-she in her
new-found happiness and he in the restoration
both felt that at last they had been guided
safely from the reef which had nearly wrecked
their lives
It was the morning of the Sd Of August, Just
four years later than the date of the memo
rable concert in Wiledor. The sun beamed
hrlpl ,lorr <ha Ms
was redolent with the scent of wild flowers and
the shady old street by the post Office afforded
cool refreshment to the pedestrian. Along
the beach road solitary wanderer pursued his
way: He was young man, handsome and
stylishly dressed, and he walked with light
quick step, bespeaklng buoyant spirits He
assembled the steps of the Venisse mansion and
was soon ushered into the handsome parlor.
Frank, for it was he, looked remarkably well
that morning. His face wore look of hope
which had been a stranger to it for a
long time. As Mabel entered he rose to greet
her with something of his old happy manner.
How nice it is to see you again, Mr.. Balm
bridge" she said cordially. "Do you know it
is just four years ago tonight since you saved
me from that dreadful fire?'
"les, l remember very WELL" replied Frank.
ut was terrible affair, but then the people
were so stupid
And so they talked and chatted until Frank
"NIiss Mabel" he then said-and here he
grew little pale-"do you recollect last winter
that You asked me to call upon you after the
tea at Mrs. McDonald's and that 1 came very,
very often. and that / found it hard, so hard
to go away2 May tell you why2 May 60
on?' he asked eagerly. But she only blushed q
little and smiled assent out of her brown eyes,
We'll, it was because loved you. l could not
tell you then, because Of an unhappy engage
ment which forbade me, but now am free. I
tell you that love you with all my heart
more and more dearly every day. Will you be
my wife, darling? Will you try and love me
just ittle?''
Yes" she answered gently. as he folded her
to his breast, II think have loved you all the
time, dear Frank"