The Coconino weekly sun. [volume] (Flagstaff, Ariz.) 1891-1896, 1896-11-26

4
lives.
"You both leave tomorrow for good
and ALL" said Del that last evening
clasping her little hands in mock de.
SPAR. "Whatever will do without
you! How dull Seaview will be when
you are gone! Poor mel No more sail.
ingl No more fishing! No more moody,
silent, irrational, cross companions to
make time pass pleasantly, and to
break the deathly monotony of these
great oppressive woods!"
Fred looked at me and at him.
We were grouped under spreading
oak, down by the waters edge, where
a small table and chairs had been
placed, for Del delighted to serve us tea
when twilight set in, close to the
murmuring tide, as the wavelets broke
gently on the white sands of the beach.
Fred and l understood each other.
Slowly he rose, lit cigar with a
slightly unsteady hand and strolled OIL
down the straight shell road.
Del's eyes followed his tall figure
ms it stood out distinct in the paling
light, and unconscious Of my steady
gaze, her great brown eyes took on a
tender, wistful look, which pierced my
heat like poisoned dagger.
"Will the solitude seem dull when
we are gone, Del?' asked.
"Deathly dull" said Del, with a
slight culver of her tender mouth.
Aunt Martha shall bring you to
town, you poor little Gagged bird!"
| said. taking her hand in mine.
Mamma will never leave Seaview,
nor let me 60 away even for a day
without her." said Del, moving up
closer to me, as If for protection against
those long, solitary days of approach.
ing winter.
Then we must take you away by
force, little one," I said, with decision,
putting my arm protectingly around
her shoulder. Del leaned her head,
crowned with its ripping FURNISHED
gold, on my shoulder, not knowing of
the throbbing heartbeats so close to
hers, or of the rising storm Of emotions
she was creating.
"Oh, Cousin Allen, If you could only
get mamma to leave this dreary, dreary
place." she said, pleadingly-''get her
to consent to my living like other girls,
would love you, oh, SO dearly, all my
life!"
do you promise that, Del? Is it q
bargain?" l asked, while dull pain
seized hold of my heartstrings. "Do
you truly love your elderly cousin?"
"Of course do" answered Del, nest
ling close to my side, while the soft
evening breezes waited me the scent
Of her perfumer hair.
II love you dearly" she added.
But her frank, unembarrassed words
only added to the growing pain in my
heart, to the tumultuous emotions
which were invading me.
"And Fred?" l asked, softly, hold
ing her gently to my side.
"Cousin Allen!" she murmured in
an imploring tone, turning TO hide on
my shoulder her lovely face, over which
had swept wave of color.
"All right, little one" whispered,
reassuringly, while the tempest of baf-
fed hopes, ruined anticipations and
murdered joys swept in a burst of fury
over my soul and senses, overwhelming
me with their bitter waters.
"All right, Del, little cousin mine!
You shall not spend the glorious years
of your youth in these sad soIitudes.
Your happiness is dearer to me than
e. n
only in the hope of having soon the
right to order your sweet young life
on lines of light and happiness. ! will
see Aunt Martha" added, rising slow.
ly. land will send Fred to you"
cousin Allen!" she again said. cling
ing breathlessly to me.
"Let me 60. dearie," said, lightly,
while the fury of bitter regret and
hurricane of wild emotion shook my
soul and senses and threatened to SUBJ
merge my loyal determination to let
Fred gain the sunshine of life, hence
forth lost forever to me.
"Look here" I added, jestingly, II
must call Fred back before the storm
bursts-before furious tornado comes
along to interfere with our bright plans
for the future!"
"Why, Cousin Allen!" said Del, lift
ing her head in astonishment from its
confiding rest on my breast, and lift
ing to mine in wide-eyed wonder her
beautiful soft eyes. What in the
world are you taking about? There's
no storm brewing! Why, the night is
calm and beautiful! Just look how
quiet the water is; how serenely the
stars shine outi"
but / laughed aloud, knowing the
tempest which was raging in my heart,
the wrecked blossoms of hope and Joy
which lay bruised and scattered over
the advancing years, and l called to
Fred who was slowly approachinr: