Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-08-27


ly revolving; but Webster Hamllton's
gallantry equaled his nonchalance, for
he even pressed my hand cordially as
he assisted me into the vehicle, and his
massive brow was placid as the un-
troubled lake beneath the summer
moon. / even enjoyed the ride more
than l would have confessed to Fred.
II he had really suffered the pangs Of
martyrdom at Fred's cruel dispense
ton, he was attentive, assiduous and
pleasing.
Whenever he called afterward Fred
would manage to call Esther away to
leave me the task Of entertaining him.
Sometimes his eyes would follow her as
she went away, but nothing else indi-
Gated his displeasure. began to feel
the magnetic power of his dark, eX-
pressive eyes, and feared for myself.
There was often dull, painful pres
sure about my heart, absolutely dis
tressing, and one night when we had
been to ride on horseback as he lifted
me down his arm fingered about my
waist, and he asked me If would grant
him private interview in the morn
ing; he was going away and he had
something to tell me that I must hear.
was terribly frightened and STAN
mered something which he took for as
sent. AS soon as he was gone sought
Fred and told him my fearful dilemma.
Il cannot see him, Fred. It's no
more than right, since you proposed
this shameful scheme, that you should
help me out Of it, and l want you to
see him in the morning and tell him
the whole. I cannot"
Fred showed all the consistent SYM
pathy Of his sex, and replied coolly:
"'Pon my honor, now. I don't see
what have got to do with 1t. It would
be confoundedly awkward for me to
interfere. Web and were always
good friends, but what do you care for
dirty mcdaniel"
Alone in the silence of the night,
with an agony Of bitter tears, my proud
heart bowed to the scepter of love.
Pride and vanity and worldliness were
swept away by the mighty food Of
passion that rushed over my soul
Wealth and friends and social position
were the merest baubles to the price
less treasure of his love, and as one by
one, l laid these on the altar of my new
idol, a dark, cold shadow chilled back
my dawnlng bliss. Esther! My friend
my sister-she too loved him.
1t was an hour when all good i'm.
pulses governed my hayward heart
and I turned from my happiness will
REARED HIGH IN THE AIR.
iron determination. For Esther's SAKE
he should never know that l had loved
him.
Pale and cold as polished marble,
sat by the window to wait his coming
and for the first time he seemed deal
to me, dearer than life itself-but my
sacred honor was dearer still.
Fred and Esther had gone out t
shoot at target at the further end o
the garden; Mrs. Thornby was in tn,
kitchen, and l was alone. Present.!
, he rode into the avenue upon his met
tlesome steed-a finer figure neve
rode-and my heart leaped into a will,
/, tumult of pride, pleasure and pain.
He saw me and raised his hat witt
, a beaming smile. At that instant
pistol report frightened the fiery ami
., NAL, and he reared high in the air
|, turned and dashed homeward riderless
I never knew how reached him, bu
I remember still form lying on tn
grass, and was clasping the dear hea
, in may arms, laying my cheek agains
! his brow, entreating him in the wild
est terms Of despair and endearmen
, to look up and say he was not dead.
called to Fred and Esther, but befor
they could reach us the dark eyes I'm
:. closed and strong arms encircled MT