The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-03-22
In THE DIN PAST.

1t was pretty place, the farmhouse
where they met. II was exactly the spot
for romance, and they realized it. With
white clouds dappling a blue sky and or
chards abloom with peach as setting,
two well bred young persons must re
alize what their part Is. He was pretty
busy, of course, for the surveying he was
doing for the company that proposed to
establish a railrond across the country oc-
cupied good many hours each day. But
the long evenings, while the afterglow
fingered in the west and the chilly twi-
light settled over tho two hills, were all
given up to the enjoyment of Marian
Smiths society.
One evening they had been playing
checkers under tho watchful eye Of Mrs.
Dutton, who frequently stated that she re-
gnrded Miss Smith as daughter, when
Gray remarked:
"Do you know, Miss Marian, there is
something about you which reminds me
of some one whom / have known, but |
can t make up my mind whom. 1t is too
elusive and subtle suggestion to some
former friendship. think, on the whole,
that l believe with the theosophists. l met
you In the past existence.
"perhaps,n answered Marian, carefully
studying the board. "Yor forgot to jump
l shall take you up,
"All right, (" said Gray. "You may beat
me as numerically rs you please, provid-
ed only that you'll say you think we knew
each other in a previous life."
"Crown my man, please. Yes, doubt
less we did know each other cons ago. In
fact, it's beginning 10 seem as though we
had known each other decade or two on
this sphere Lets see. It's three weeks
since You came, isn't it?"
81 have forgotten to look at my calen-
dar since have known you, p" gallantly re-
piled the young engineer.
"You cannot move. l have you corner
ed, i" announced Miss Smith in reference
to the game. mo. don't care to play
another game. Don't you know, IN here
to rest, and you'd have me excite myself
with Checkersl A fine way that would be
to get over the effects of seven years over
work. No, / must be all well by June.
So no more maddening dissipation tonight
I'm going to play hymn now on that
miserable old piano. You may listen to
that II you like. u
He followed her into the stuffy little par
lor and smiled at the look OF ecstatie hap
piness on Mrs. Dutton s face as her guest
opened the piano. The old lady said she
would like to hear hBeulah Land,n and
Maran's sweet, low voice began. Gray
watched her. He felt strangely thrilled
| by her presence In the gaunt room. by her
sweetness to the old woman, whose own
| Sons and daughters had gone away, and
by the vague feeling Of familiarity he had
with her. He felt a sudden rush Of ten
derness. He could almost have given up
everything and lived there in the bleak,
barren farmhouse forever. provided the
shining haired, sweet voiced woman lived
there with him.
"Sing that first verse again." pleaded
Mrs. Dutton, and Marian's voice rang out:
i've reached tho land Of corn and wine,
And all the rlchos freely mine"
Gray had a sudden longing to break in
upon the hymn, to ask her-he knew not
what, He left the room and went TO the
piazza, where he called himself names. A
white moon was travelling across the cloud
less sky. The blossomng orchards slept
| in the moonlight, Across the hills one
warm, ruddy light shone from distant
farmhouse home light
Marians voice was silent. By and by
the door opened, and she stood in the min
gled lightsof the house and the night. He
went toward her.
MARIAN he said.
She did not seem surprised at his man.
ner or at the name. She turned her face
| inquringly toward him. And there with
the pnle moonlight and the yellow glow
from the house about her, he told her that
he loved her. He was rather inGoherent,
but so ardent that he felt an undercurrent
Of surprise at himself
"Oh, you may SMILE" he burst out
when he saw CLEAN of amusement on
her face. ~ know met you only three
weeks ago and altogether by chance. But
I tell you 1t was predestined. Three weeksS
| tell you, since the beginning of time this
| has been planned. have known you al
ways; have waited for you always. Mari
an, we have always known each other.'
He came near, but Marian slipped bnck.
There was strange look on her face that
staid him.
mot always, VIII, ;" she said, and his
heart beat quickly to hear his name from
her. "Not always, but for quite time,
F, l acknowledge. Ten years ago last sum-
mer 1t was. 1t was at the shore, then
my first summer out, and you were just
| through the institute. Don't you rsmem-
| Der, now that | have given your memory
jog9 OF course my unfortunate name
was against you recalling 1t, but | assure
| you it was an awful blow to my vanity to
discover in you not the dimmest recollec-
tion of that little youthful romance.
suppose a woman does remember much
longer, and then you were my first, which
means quite lot. Let you be my lAst'
Alas. poor boy, can't. I'm to be mar
ried in June. Good night. You were right,
you see. We knew each other in a past ex-
istence. "--ExChange