The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1895-08-01
FALLING STARS.

II n WA
childhood before going to bed OF going ont
on the lawn and terrace to intcrrogate the
| sky and speak with the distant stars. We
were about 10 years OF age at this time,
and commenced to experience q singular
delight In being alone with Annie by my
side in the evenings. 5$4 yygt
Sometimes the night wind, playing with
her golden hair, would blow It across my
face, and I always felt thrill of pleasure
run through me when felt their silken
! caress. @%& 34& ~ st5>t. H
Then ct length I had looked deep down
into my heart and had read there that
loved her. But was unable to tell her
that this was, tho case. was held back
| by strong, an instructive, sense Ut dell
cacy, by an involuntary respect. Her big
blue eyes revealed such naivete and such
innocence that 1t seemed to mo simply
sncrilogious to speak to this child of such
things, and I therefore kept silent ,<5 ~.
II But soon afterward with what seemed
to me strange suddcnness, the child
grew into IL you1e girl. and the Anpio Of
| old, with her long skirts her golden curls
| tied up in a knot upon her head and a
twinkle of mischief and coquctry in her
big blue eyes was now a young woman.
She possessed all the graccs, all the
charms and all the attractions of her sex,
and when in her company I felt like a
tinid, awkward schoolboy. .. .,-'
| When we were alone in the evening
upon the wide terrace, held my peace and
was afraid to speak for fear Of awakening
in the still night air that ripping. little,
scornful laugh of hers. and it was only to
| the shooting stars and meteorltes that !
dared to sigh my love. It was then decid-
cd that was to 60 to Paris to pursue my
law studies. 1t was my last evening at
Ormcs, and was going away on the fol-
lowing day. ~
AS usual, we were together upon the
lawn. She had never seemed SO beauti-
full to mo BEFORE SO seductive and also SO
affectionate, for, affected at the idea Of
our separation, she had said such nice
things to me that, although they were in
significant enough in themselves, yet,
coming from her, had engraved them
selves forever In my heart.
Fighting against the trembling of my
voice, said to her: Annie, in year,
when my holidays come round again, I
shall be at your side once more looking at
the stars. You will think of me from time
to timer"
For answer, she laughed her light, rip
in it, and looked up at me with saucy,
shining eyes.
Then meteor shot suddenly across the
sky above our heads, and I took Annie's
hand in niue and said in serious voice:
1T is said, Annie, that when one has
wish to make it should be made while q
meteor flashes along the sky. Ihave just
wished something, and-I hope that before
long it may be fulfilled!'
+ Did she understand?
Her little hand tremblcd ever so little
In mine, but there were no signs of emo
ton in her eyes or on her lips. 1t seemed
to me-perhaps was mistaken in the I'M
certain light-that 1 saw sphinxlike
smile on her mouth, and I said nothing
more to her that night ON tho subject SO
close to my heart.
went to Paris and devoted myself to
my studies with oil the energy of my ma
ture. My leisure time spent dreaming
in my little working room.
Had wanted other distractions there
were plenty of them, but I had made up
my mind to resist all the usual tempta-
lions of my age and Ishould have despised
myself had wasted my thoughts on any
thing or anybody else than Annie. 1never
ceased thinking about my little golden
haired girl and awaited with feverish i'm
patience the approaching summer, which
was fixed for my return to Ormes.
began to enjoy the pleasure Of return
In advance. I saw myself walking with
Annie again on the soft green terraces,
holding her hand in mine and saying to
her in the darkness which would conceal
my bushes: .,,
beneath these stars that you might one
day love me as l love you and have loved
you all my life. You will wait another
year for me, Annie, won't you? And then
we will never be separated again."
Closing my eyes, imagined saw my
sweet fancee drop her head upon my shout
der and allow me to print a chaste kiss
upon her white forehead This was my
only pleasure and the only dream that
INDUCED in during the long hours of my
work in Paris.
g.
At length this much longed for sum-
mer had come, and was going back to
Ormes.
Annie was there. more charming, more
ravishing than ever, and In her eyes saw
cleaning q gayety and happiness that
seemed to me sure sign that she was
pleased at my return and had given me
her love.
The night came, and in calm, uncon-
cerned voice asked her to come out and
look at the stars.
"Will you come and see if there are any
falling stars tonight" asked her.
She followed me out upon the terrace,
and when once again by her side expert
enced sort of giddiness. Ny heart be-
gan to beat as If it would break, and nev-
er before had I felt my love so strong, SO
violent, SO Irresistible.
She was everything to me-my little
friend of childhood, the sweetheart Of my
early manhood. All my aspirations were
toward her, and she was my whole being,
my very life. Iwould have knelt at her
feet In the night on the terrace and have
kissed with passionate tears the lace of her
long dress.
Iattempted to speak, but in vain. The
srorde f7ioi axyav ,1nOn NV Inns If was