The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-08-01

again look up his fashionable lie. On
the second evening of the show he spied
friends. Miss Renwood was there and
standing beside her chair was Fred
Cafherwood. Mr.. Bolton went over to
pay his respects. He was coolly re-
ceived by Mrs. Iverson, but Catherwood
and Miss Renwood welcomed him cor
daily.
Two days later he learned that Miss
Renwood had returned to her home In
Kentucky; and the day after he heard
the announcement of her engagement
TO C@sherwood. Now, he received these
tluingS not without emotion. He was
sure he no longer loved her. but some
how 1t pained him to know that she
was engaged And there crept into
mis- mind Just a suspicion that he had
been altogether too fastidious, perhaps
even bit of a fool
The wedding was in February Mr.
Bolton journeyed down to Kentucky to
be an usher. He performed his duty
handsomely and with a cheerful coun-
tenance. 1t was he who closed the door
or the carriage which bore away the
happy couple to the station AS he
watched the vehicle plow its way
through the thick mud his heart grew
heavy with the thought, Fred must
soon know 1t now"
He was anxious for several weeks.
EFed was violent impulsive fellow
q
man, or would he humlllate his wife?
As time passed there came no news of
rupture. Mr.. Bottoms mind grew
calmcr.
But quiet melancholy slowly settled
on MN. The elasticity passed from his
longer brought him peace and hope
anu JOY. Broadway was not less gar
ish by night nor It's throng of voluptua-
RES less needless of tomorrow, but
the power of these things to fascinate
the soul of young Anderson Bolton was
gone.
Mrs. Iverson had been manifestly
provoked with him. as was natural
But Mrs. 1verson couldn't be in a bad
humor with anybody for long. 1t was
early in the following June that Bolton
received letter from her, inviting him
to pay her IL visit in her seaside home.
II have no pretty girls with which to
lure YOU. but IL you can endure the mo-
notony of driving and sailing with an
old woman, this same old woman will
be more than pleased to welcome you.
hope that eccentric partner (Stone, do
You call him?) will not interrupt this
visit" So ran a portion of her letter.
On the evening of his arrival he and
piazza and talked of Mrs. Catherwood
"They are in Florence now, but will
soon be leaving for the north. Minicent
Is absurdly happy. And do you know,
think she has entirely reformed Fred.
She is an innocent girl. and 1 don't be-
lieve she ever guessed what scamp
Fred used to be. One of her letters
naively announced that Fred wanted
to play a little at Monte Carlo out of
curiosity. The child-like Fred! want
ed to play out of curiosity Isn't it
delicious? But she forbade him and he
mcekly obeyed. Yes, she has reformed
him. The world is growing quite stup-
idly righteous. For wicked old wom-
an like me there is nothing left but to
die. All. my dear Anderson, I wish you
could find Il wife like Millicent."
There Is none such Left" said Mr..
Bolton with a sigh Then he laughed,
trying TO conceal his sigh.
Yes, he was quite sure he had been
a fool.
He was sent to sleep in that same
northeast room. How his memory was
quickened! What food of bitter
sweet recollection poured into his thrs-
ty soul! But from beyond the partition
there Issued now no gentle voice and
| musical laugh. No. even the snoring
was silent.
His sorrow was too old to keep him
long awake. and the sleep that shortly
/ fell upon him lasted until morning
When he awOke he lay quiet. thinking
| OF the lost past
But what was that! He raised his
| head and listened. III was not magma
| tlpn, CIthtI. measured, SOnOrOQS, me
| same sound. When he had recovered
| his wits sufficiently to dress himself
he got out of bed. Again the air was chill
| ly just what II had been nearly n year
ago. He closed the window, and the
sound ceased. Was he dreaming? Or
| had all the pas. year been a horrid
dream, and was that priceless treasure
| stu to be had for the asking? Some
thing prompted him to open the window.
| me noise began again. He leaned far
out. 1t was more distinct H. was not
| in the house at all
| He dressed and went ont doorc On
the front piazza he heard nothing. hut
when he turned the corner of the house
b began again. Walking in the direction
of the sound he was led To ,he sea
rocks with every step 4 grew clearer
and gradually lost its resemblance n
snoring. lie met an old fisherman go
ing to his boat
Friend what is that noise?" asked
Mr.. Bolton.
That's the whistlin'- buoy. sir"
rocks"
Its n strange sound."
Yes, kinder lonesome"
How is IL that we don't hear II all
the time?" OH
Well it's a right smart way off. and
IL don't blow only when the sea Is
rough. It's made TO blow by the waves
arockin' of it. Then YOU only hear 3,
when you are to wind'ard of H. VIII T,
the winds off shore you can't hear II. -
so il does" SAID Nj. Bolton thought.
fully. But I never thought of liken.