Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-12-08

WILL AND /.

1
cupation of doing nothing. In spite Of
my trouble, what wonder then that l
drifted of into reverie, and my thoughts
reverted to sadly pleasant retrospect
Once more il was winter--the Mnny
New Orleans winter--and Will and |
we're together. recalled the hours
passed reading and writing and music
the drives and walks aud theatres. The
most minute and trivial incidents re-
CURED 10 my mind, and I found 'nyself
smiling at the recollection of a certain
long, narrow, phenomeually dark pas
sage or alleyway on Royal street, up
which we glanced one night, and which
viii, with bis bright and quick sense Of
humor, Immediately christened Jack
the Ripper's court"
This is not o sensational story that
ain about to tell warn my readers in
advance that there is nothing startling
or wildly romantic 10 it. From start to
finish it is simple "o'ertrue tale"
And yet it was romantic too There
was tinge Of romance, after all, when
Will asked me to become his wife, to
marry him 10 secret We had been be-
trothed for year, aud be was far from
strong His health was undermined,
and horrible fear oppressed him that
he would be taken away Ia the prime
of his manhood, with life and hope and
happiness all bis, it was an awful
thought.
Constance he said one night as
we stood on the moonlit gallery, with its
luxuriant rose vinesand the great yell
low roses clambering up to shake down
their showers of fragrance in our faces,
tiny darling be my wife now Why
should we wait, dear one ? There is
nothing between our lives and happi-
ness but the bugbear Of poverty, aud |
shall have n fortune when | am 30. |
shall be 30 next September, Constance,
if-if l. live"
Something in the sweet. tender voice
made me glance up swiftly into the
brave, dark eyes. Beautiful, tender
eyes, where are you now? Where are you
to-day, o Will? Hidden away forever
from the sight of my eyes, from beyond
the clasp of my arm-gone, gone-l
feel il, believe il, believe ito that
Beautiful, yelled, bright world,
Where the glad ghosts meet.
Something in his voice made my heart
ache.
"Why do you speak 40 sadlyr |
| a 90 ind ha
Will. care nothing for that, IL you
are only spared to me-"
II know it. dear, tender little heart, p"
he answered softly. "You are the only
true woman in the world, Constance.
But wanted to tell you & am super
stitious, admit it) it was prophesied
that | shall.die before am 3d."
"Nonsense !" | cried sturdily, THAT
is sheer superstition. aud il is very
wrong 10 believe 10 it, dear No one
knows the future. would never think
Of that again if we're you"
I tried TO smile as | spoke--to shake
of the strange feeling that would Cypress
me, try as ! might-but all 10 vain.
Die before 30! My true hearted, noble
Will, with bis sunny smile and tender
dark eyes would not believe it. II
was absurd 80 | laughed at his fears
as foolishness and tried 10 make him for
get. But he was far from strong. and
that one glimpse Of what might be 10 store
for us-the awful parting that might
come---made me decide. So promised
that night TO become his wife at once
and "in secret and silence as the old
song says.
Everything was made ready, and on
the following night--tbe night before
bis departuro--we we're quietly married
in q quaint little old church ia one o.
the retired streets Of New Orleans. And
Will and belonged to each other FOL
time and eternity.
The sad parting came next dsy--ind
be went back 10 bis northern home,
while returned to my work. frightened
only by the hope Of meeting 10 the sun
mer at quiet Long Beach.
am not superstitious woman.
had laughed at Will for his own drea'
Of the supernatural and bis belief 10
. prophecy. but we had not been parte'
a whole month when something YER,
curious happened. Will had written u
me every day, such dear, sweet letter
that they did my heart good--kept !
alive. in fact.
!. But for these letters I would hav
, y;vau nm nv hold nm hone and woul