The record-union., 1895-08-28
ROOM Is.

! Written for the RECoRD-UNIoN by Beselena.
| had been travelling all day in rlckety,
lum bering stage coach, drawn by couple
! of meek, sadeyed horses who toiled up
the steep hills at funereal pace. The day
had been insufferably hot, and the roads
correspondingly dusty. The driver, with
whom / sat, was dull and prosaic to the
last degree. He had travelled over this
particular bit of raod. he told me, while
he meditatively hecled fly from the ear
of the off horse with his whip, tor nigh
onto twenty years, and had never had
even as much as a hold-up in all that
time. He spoke of the fact with an air OF
pride, so l somewhat unwillingly, it must
be confessed, gave up my idea of a
romantic tale, at last resigned myself to
| the inevitable and solaced myself by q
silent contemp plation of the surrounding
scenery.
This did not prove very satisfactory,
| however, as the view was obscured by a
dense smoke which hung like pail over
the landscape, while the sun shone from
the heavens live a great fiery eye. 1t was
no wonder then that | hailed with posi-
tive Joy the sight of little hosiery
nestled at the foot of steep hill in the
midst of green and fertile valley. Max
| ing u hasty toilet, l sought the dining
room, where did full justice to hearty
dinner, my rough ride giving me an
unusual appetite.
| After the meal 1 strolled out on the
piazza and, selecting the coolest spot and
| nri oh 10 hoi
thoroughly enjoy myself by elevatIng
my feet upon the piazza railing and light
| ing my after-dinner cigar. AS L leaned
back in my chair and pulled away at my
fragrant Havana, sending forth curling
wreaths Of smoke, my thoughts travelled
once more to the past, and ere long L
found myself comparing this hot, sultry
summer night with another night just
such as this. l shut my eyes, and again
the scene came Vividly before me.
l was sitting on moOnllt piazza as
sat now, but l was not alone. Beside me
was the dearest woman in all the world
to me. She wore a thin, white dress,
with loose, flowing sleeves which showed
the rounded contour of her plump. white
arm. 1t was cut low at the neck, reveal
ing throat of dazzling purity and
whiteness l watched this vision ST.
lently for some moments, while quick,
passionate thoughts surged through me,
turning my blood into liquid fire.
loved this woman with all the ardor
and passion of my nature. True, we had
only known each other since the begin
ming of the summer, but l loved her at
| first sight and dared not tell her so.
did not wish to see her start and shrink
away and the look OF fear come into those
soft, velvety eyes, SO l bided my time
patiently, cautiously, devoting myself to
her with all lovers fond attention,
which, to my unutterable JOY, were re-
ceived by my divinity. AT least, l was
not rebuffed, and while l could not con-
sciously say that she encouraged me, yet
she did not reproach me.
On this moonlit night | asked this girl
TO be mine. l poured out all my love, my
hope, my devotion, my despair should
she refuse, and then waited breathlessly
for her answer. 1t came at last, borne 10
my keenly sharpened ear like the moan
OF the signing wind over the death OF
nature. 1t came and chilled me to the
very marrow; it thrust a dagger into my
swiftly beating heart and held it there.
She could never be mine she told me;
she was promised to another. For years
she had waited for him, constant and
true, while he toiled away in a wild,
newly settled country, building up for
tune and home for her.
She mentioned no names and | ask ed
none. l was numb and cold all over.
Though the night was warm an icy chill
crept over me. 1t was as though the hand
OF death had laid itself heavily upon me.
How | left her 1 do not know. | have
only a dim recollection of staggering
through the quiet. deserted streets like a
drunken man in my agony OF soul, occa-
sionally giving vent to a wild, demonical,
unearthly laugh. which was picked up by
the night wind and carried far over the
hills and valleys. to be lost in infinite
space.
Just as day was breaking over the east
ern horizon / reeled into my lodgings
and fell heavily upon the bed. Here
was found few hours later raving in de-
: lirium by my landlady.
For weeks and months after that my
life was despaired OF. In my lucid mo-
ments l prayed for death to come and re-
lieve me from my sutferings, while In
my deirium I called incessantly upon
her name. At last, tired nature asserted
herself and l grew better, but l was only
a wreck of my former self, the ghost ol
the man who had sat upon that piazza SC
full OF hope and confidence.
My one thought was TO get away; to
leave far behind me the city which had
now grown hateful in my eyes. L had
ample means at my disposal and could
well afford to crafty the insatate thirst
for change which now seemed consum-
ing me.
| travelled wherever fancy dictated, and
led wild, rowing, bohemian lie. Some
times in the midst Of civilization, again
on the wild, desolate plains, with not a
soul near, and only the tall waving
meadow grass and tho breeZes to comtorl
me.
Just now l had grown sick and weary
Of people. and, obeying one OF my sud
den wild impulses, | had como TO this
place where l could rest and be at peace,
and after firing of the dull monotony
should again seek the more populated
haunts of man.
By this time my cigar was out and
throwing away the stump l arose and
entered the house. AS | did so l could
not help but notice an unwonted stir
about the place and, cornering the land
lord, who was hustling by, asked the
cause. He told me that 4 wedding was
to be celebra ted that night. The bride,
who was said to be very beautiful, was
coming from a distant city to meet
her future husband whom she had not
seen for several years. The man, l was
told, was one Of the leading representa-
tives of the new town. AS l heard this
l could not help but groan inwardly and
offer up silent prayer for the poor
young victim whoever she might be. 1or
it was a well known fact in and around
the country that to be accounted the lead.
ing citizen OF this place was only another
name for gamb bier, drunkard and roue.
The landlord Hospitality invited me to
be present. but l refused. somewhat
: brusquely. Weddings had depressing