Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1895-07-13

much Tor lom. Embracing her ten
derly, he said: 81 love hut you. Ma
talia darling Oh, that | had met yor
first. My tondnes> for Alice was but
a fleeting thing and my love for yor
will last forever"
Pressing warm kisses on her lips
he held her close.
Leave me, Tom. 1t is right foi
you to keep your word, but you should
have told me Of your engagement be
fore. We had best part now. Good
by"
But can't ! come to see you. Ma
talia, as usual -
"Why, certainly not, Mr.. Douglas
1t would only be painful for we can
never, from this time forward, be any
thing but the most formal of friends.
Tom was touched by the simple dig
nifty of the young Russian girl, whose
quiet life had been spent by the sea.
shore under the shadow of the noun.
tains. far from the noise of city OF
town, so he bowed TO her will. Their
parting was heart breaking one to
both.
''Natalia, can't bear to leave you,
must have you, dearest
"rhere, go now This is only fool
ish."
"Well, then, let me kiss you for the
last time, darling" pleaded Tom.
Natalia put up her little, tear stain
ed face, and Tom silently kissed her
and went away.
That month passed only too quickly
for poor Tom, who looked with dread
toward the coming of the steamer. He
studiously avoided Natalia, denying
himself the regular afternoon walk to
the Indian River, which is the event
of the day to all the white people at
Sitka. He kept close to his rooms
when not on board ship, cursing the
mistake Of his life which was soon to
make an unwilling bridegroom of
him.
To Natalia, whose soft, brown eyes
were red with weeping, life seemed a
dreary blank now that the daily visits
of Tom had ceased. There appeared
in her mental horizon NOTHING for
which to live. She wondered how she
had existed before he came to Sitka.
But then she had been busy with
her lessons, and now, in the idea of
her old-fashioned father, her simple
education was complete and it was
time for her to marry one of the Rus
sian lads who sought her hand.
The next steamer day" Tom
Douglas was seen rushing madly to
Natalia's home. The neighbors, who,
of course, had noted his long absence,
were greatly surpassed.
"Natalia, Natalia," he cried, as soon
as she came into the quaint drawing
room to receive him. 1--WE come to
ask YOU to be my wife. Dearest, say
YES at once"
"Why, Tom, are you crazy? What
has become of Alice
"Well, by George, Natalia, she is
married, And | am the happiest
man on earth. a pardoned convict S
feelings OF relief are not to be COM
pared to mine. You see, soon after
she left Washington she met an old
sweetheart whom she had cast off to
marry Mr.. Deering, whose position
and prospects seemed better. In the
meantime this fellow had made for
tune, and as he was on his way to
Alaska for a pleasure trip they decid-
ed to make it also wedding trip and
break the news to me in person.
Rather awkward, you might think,
but congratulated them with all my
heart and thanked my stars for my
freedom. Come, little girl, put on
your hat and III take you down to
the steamer to see the bride and I'll
Introduce to her my iancee, because
you say yes, don't you, dear?'
II suppose 50, Tom, but its all 81
sudden. Shall | wear my leghorn
hat -