The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-09-22

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NJ daughter of Bank +
Severne, given he r
white hand to him, and said: 81 love You.
Sweetest words ever spoken by the dearest
Inns in the world to him. Now they are pacing
slowly up and down the broad, graveled walk,
bordered by brilliant flowers, whose hues arc
sof.ened and etherealized by the santing
moonbeams that fall across their dropping
heads.
They are perfectly happy, these two. for
there is no obstacle in the way of speedy and
blissful consummation of their most ardent
hopes. Yet, strangely enough, their converse
ton turns upon sorrowful things.
LYLE" said Miss Seyerne, turning toward
him a pair of tender brown eyes, whose depths
held unboundcd happiness, what do you
think would be the greatest sorrow that could
fall upon one?"
He turned suddenly and frightened his clasp
on the hand he held ITO lose the one we
love best in all the world" he answered,
gravely But why talk SO gloomily when the
future is all bright before us?"
al do not know, she murmured, softly; but
the thought came TO me- have often thought
of il before now-and do you know, think
the saddest fate in all the world is to be for
gotten"
Forgotten !" he added. wonderingly.
ayes: to feel that we are nothing to one to
whom we had been all; that our presence or
absence is not felt by them; that they are as
indifferent to us as the veriest stranger. Oh,
If is awful to mel" and she drew closer still to
his side.
"Tberel Let us cast such forebodings to the
wind as easily as do this TOWER" and, stoop-
ing he gathered blush rose and scattered its
petals on the evening air.
"Sueh dark thoughts are not for you, my
beloved" he continued, tenderly. lyon are
sheltered from all the storms OF this rougn
world, and always shall be"
perhaps il is because you are going away"
Miss Severne remarked, as they turned to re-
trace their way down the long walk.
''Oh yes" and an impatient frown settled
on Iyle Dermotts brow THAT is too bad ;
but Richards would send no one but me-"
why not?"
"Well Won see his mind is set on making
some investments in real estate in western
Massachusetts, buying up farms, which he
thinks will eventually rise on his hands, and
make him richer than he is now. 1t is some
wild scheme of his to advertise these places
boom them SO TO speak, and thus raise their
value So he wants me to take trip through
these districts, and negotiate for all the land
esn buy cheap"
when do you start?" asked Mary.
Tomorrow"
Z" So soon ;" she murmured.
1.-THE sooner start the sooner ! will return,
love-" said he.
So they parted, as all fond lovers do, with
tender vows and promises.
All, how many of US have parted like that!
How many hands we have taken in ours;
how many trembling lips kissed, as we MUIR
INJURED only for little while" Well, per-
hans it NAV be for little while, bat often it is
for all time and until eternity should bring US
again face to face.
Lyle Dermott rose early the next morning
and with merry heart, set out on his journey.
1t was June weather, perfect, sunshiny, the air
laden with the scent of richest bloom from
garden and field. From the open car window
he could catch the perfume of roses, mingled
with the faint, sweet breath Of flowers that
bloomed in shady woodland haunts, through
which they passed. He was not a handsome
young man, this Lyle Dermott, in the sense in
which the word is usually accepted. But the
sunny gray eyes spoke OF a cheerful good ma
ture as well as well-balanced intellect. The
face was one to be trusted and loved, rather
than admired for its classic outlines, or artistic
coloring. In build he was good specimen OF
the athletic men turned out by the training of
our best colleges Of to-day.
Lyle Dermott was the only son Of the senior
partner of rich banking firm in Boston, when
il had been Dermott & Richards Now that
his father was dead and the firm name had
been changed TO Richards & Dermott, he was
the Junior partner. and, In fact, the active
partner, for Mr.. Richards was nearly past
work, and contented himself with starting
new enterprises for bis younger partner to
carry out. Now he had become wild over the
acres OF land going TO waste in some of the
small towns in western Massachusetts, These
deserted farms, he believed, could be bought,
and then by little judicious booming sold
again, at profit, thus benefting humanity
and his own pocket at the same time.
When the shades of night had wrapped the
landscape in that indistinguishable hue that
precedes the starlit darkness Of the night the
ears drew up at small station in an the
way town miles and miles from the busy city
of Boston.
With sigh of thankfulness that the journey
was ended Lyle Dermott arose from his seal
aud aiigbted from the cars.
The station was all dark save for the din
light 10 the waiting room. Away up the Ion;
line of the track the train disappeared with
hiss and a roar, and one by one the signal Ian
terms cleaned out against the fast-increasinl
darkness.
He YVES evidently the only passenger, and b.
at once started On an investigating tour.
Inside the dingy room he found the sta
ton agent stretched out for nap on a set
tee.
"Can you tell me where shall find hotel 2
asked Lyle.
"Eh," sleepily answered the agent, rubin
his eyes, hotel; none nearer than Beetowr
two miles away"
Us there any place where can put up?
asked Dermott.
mot around here. There amt any house
here. This is only a station. You must hay
got OF at the wrong place."
"Whewi" Dermont whistlcd q soft, lo'
whistle expressive Of disgust.
"Arcn't there any houses near heref"
"a few farmhouses mile and half Gway.
ANY conyeyancesf"
"ko."
The agent was evidently bored or sleepy.
Then / must walk" decided Lyle. consul
ing his watch. 1t wass o'clock. 81 can casil