Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-06-24
Misetllaaenus.
THE PITY OF IT.

Au, wv "io'up'J VI VIM uCilClOuS
evening, how it all comes up before me
now flow many changes few short
hours can work in ones life, for it
seemed to me as if | must have loved
Jack Merriam all my life
Don't let us 60 back to the ball
room," he pleaded, as we stood in the
moonlight in the hallway; "it is so
lovely here, and then may not have a
chance of seeing you again. leave to-
morrow for the other side"
Shall you be long awayY" | asked
with fainting heart
"About three years." he said. IL
have accepted professorship abroad. |
am glad, Miss Thorne, that have had
the opportunity of meeting you to tell
you how much have admired you, even
when did not know you Now know
what | have lost"
Was he trihing with me or in earn
est Z felt all my self-possession leave
me. rose to my feet. care you i'll
Cecil I Look at me; hear mo-" His
dark, handsome face was close to mine
felt myself'wavering then | grew firm
again. If he was tri6ing with me
would teach him lesson.
"Mr Merriam" said, coldly. "what
right have you to talk to me like this
after few hours acquaintance p
Then looked at him stealthily to note
the effect of my words that came so hard
from my lips. Was it fancy or did his
eyes glitter with strange emotion aud
passionate longing All! the secret of
that heart | was not to learn for many
years to come, for on the morrow | was
called away to the deathbed Of my aunt
-Four years passed away and was no
longer Cecil ThorDc. When Herbert
Ellis offered me his hand and fortune
only hcsitated long enough 10 convince
myself that lifc with him would be
preferable TO one of toll and labor by
myself. lie gave me everything that
wealth could buy, and gave him-sim-
ply myself.
Only one letter came from Mr.. Mer.
riam after my marriage. He congratu-
lated me in cold and polite terms, OK
pressing hope that would be happy
That was all From that day | re-
solved to think no more Of him and 10
devote myself to my husband as never
before.
Had | misjudgcd him aud thought
him cold, when il was only bis regard
for me that kept him from showing his
affection had often noticed his sad,
distracted manner when | came upon
him suddenly, and how difficult it was
for him to regain bis usual placid. dis
Interested one.
The doctor ordered me abroad for
tho winter and Herbert decided 10 spend
it in Italy. We had boon in Florence
about six weeks, when he came upon
INC one morning, feeling depressed aud
utterly lonely.
Il saw friend Of yours to-day,
Cecil" he said. do you remember
Jack Merriam 7"
Did | remember him? The room
whirled round before me and it was
with difficulty | answered him
IL remember him perfectly, Herbert
Is be the same p
"A good-looklDg chap STILL though bo
says he is i'll. Will be in Florence n
few days longer. You had better have
dinner and ask hin. lie seems the
fashion"
"ButEill he come il so i'll? p | asked.
"Y9 lcan let him decide that for
himself my dear" answered my hus-
band as he left the room.
John Merriam accepts, with pleas
ure," etc 80 read his note, in the same
handsome hand he had written years
before.
was very particular as to my gown
for that evening. For tho first time
since my marriage was pleased with
myself, and think tho yellow crepe never
appeared to better advantage.
eyes. Cecil you are charming, my
dear" said Herbert, when the alI-im-
portant day arrived "your gown is very
chic, but your jewels Where are they
Most Of the guests only como to sec
them p
I'll hate my jewels" answered, sud
denly angry; II don't wear them to-
night" And | turned away to look over
some late magazines.
Mr.. Merriam was at last announced
and with my heart my own no longer !
turned aud looked into the face that was
all the world 10 me.
"Mrs. Ellis" ho murmurod. rs hi,
fingers closed over mine, for that one
brief moment, "this is the greatest pleas.
ure OF my life TO see you again"
For an instant be looked into ny
eyes aud seemed TO read all that wal
written there.