The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-11-09
Betrothed by the Dawn.

of dawn icl on the flowers of his bed
room curtains.
lie opcLed the window aud looked
out on the dim landscape still asleep.
The trees and fields of n dull green
color melted away into the far and
misty horizon without exhibiting a
sign of life or motion.
In the east gimmsred a faint indi-
cation of pink light.
Mr.. D'llcrblc remembered his love
and his morning appointment. In five
minute, lc had dressed and descended
the stairs into the garden, where his
big greyhound greeted him with
bark of delight, accompanied by fran
tic leaps of joy and pleasure.
''Bc quiet, Tigcr!'
Then. in vain trying 10 rcprcss the
animal, 10 added,
Come along. then"
The greyhound started off quick as
an arrow through half open door,
and his master sinlled as he watched
him. lie saw him bounding along
over the vineyards by path Of which
he knew every inch. II was a path
they took together every day and it
led to tho last cottage of the little
hamlet, to the house of Mr.. and Mrs.
Simons, wealthy New Workers, and
their daughter, Miss Ethel.
al wonder if she is awake yet,"
thought Mr.. D'llerblc. elias she
not made bet with me? Can it really
DO true that we are going together to
watch the sun rise from the top of the
tower of Alasprci?
For the past three months lie had
been flirting with Miss Ethel!
IL began at Paris and had been con-
tinued here in the country, where he
had been clever enough to induce the
Simonscs to come aud spend the sum
mer.
lie hoped that he would have fewer
rivals here.
For he already fe!t the paugs of
jealousy, was madly in love with the
young American, and with all his
heart he wished to make her his wife.
lie had no fear that he would be a
pleasing son-in-law to tho old people.
He was rich, of good family, and pos
sesscd many fine qualities.
The question was, will she consent
There was so much coquetry in her
playful ways; so much reserve, too,
in her sudden moods of cold silence
that hc hardly knew what TO think.
Sometimes with her musical laugh
Ter, her arch and soft glances, she
Made him conscious of feeling Of
nearness aud familiarity that was
as suddenly dispclled by frigid
goodby that instantly brought him
back again to l,Is position utterly dis
concerted.
Only yesterday, pointing to The
tower of Alaspret which from lofty
cliff commancs view over the whole
country of CauX for 10 miles round
she had said to him:
'Ts il true, us the legend says, thai
the girls of the village follow The Gus.
tom of climbing alone with the men
to whom they are engaged to soc the
sun rise from that towcr?"
And he had answered.:
alt is indeed a superstition that be-
longs TO this part. A betrothed couple
never fail to observe it. They bolievC
that if the sun rises behind clouds ant
Is invisible the marriage will be al
unhappy one; but if it rises brigh
and uncloudcd 1t is sign that theil
future is to be bright and happy"
Aud with laughter in her voice she
had said:
"Oh! but then the sun must have
spoiled many u marriage by not show,
ing himselfl"
'Such thing has boen known" he
answered, " though very rarely. Ii
nine cases out of ten the love of tn
betrothed proceeds unchanged as be
fore. If the omen is unfavorable the,
arc increduious aud set 1t at defiance
aud they only accept 1t IL favorable Il
their .,ve."
Thon Miss Ethel had said: ~