Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-11-26

pipe Tor the gfay-hareu nSncIHlah, IFS
tened to his long yarns with keen in
terest. while ever and anon a new gown
CT handsome shawl would find its way
10 Mother Eunlce's stores. So the
worldly couple came 20 greet the hand
some face with honest welcome, listen
to his voice with genuine liking, yet
failed to see the bushes play al hide
and-seek on the girls fair cheek. or
watch the stolen Chances which passed
from the mans eyes 80 hers
\ new page in life's history seemed
opening before her wondering gaze.
BATTERIES delicstely yelled, thoughts
subtly spoken, led her daily into re-
gions strange and unknown. That
nigh, upon the beach, when she had
watched with pityiug gaze u strong man
Wrestle with his agony, seemed passing
from her memoir while new, deli
cious feeling filled all her heart and life.
Yet q strange paug shoots through her
rs now and then she sees Allan Fame
cCme and 90. She misses his kindly
smile, his welcoming words. until she
for~cts both iu The gladuess which fills
her heart AT Ernest Hammond's COM
ing
The summer has been passing
sweet" he aays 10 her one day, "but |
must have done with idlencss and 50
back to my working life. Willyou miss
me Miruou?"
"\Nill miss you? lean scarce tell till
know what absence means
"Ah. need no absence ID assure me Of
the void my soul viii know. You have
given the summer all its brightness,
Ellie. When | first saw your face, fair
beauty. / wondered what strange wind
could have brown YOU to this rough
shore. but learned 10 bless that favor
ing breeze, as having waited TO my side
the fairest thing on which my eyes had
ever rested. Some day Ellie, You shall
leave this place and make your home
with me- Ny wife will take good care
Of YOU"
Your wife? Nou are married, then"
broke from the girls white lips, while
az in a vision came memories OF his
looks, his acts, his words-all, AL
breathing love, and that love for her
"No. not married exactly" came the
reply. as though he were speaking afar
of. although so soon 10 he that | can
play truant no longer. l shall often
think OF You, Ellie. often picture your
fair beauty. and ! fear. married or
otherwise, / shall envy with mad envy
the man who culis you for his own"
Then envy l not the woman whom
YOU call wife. Go back 10 your gay
world and the girl who awaits your
coming; greet both with fair words;
press her young lips to yours, but re-
member one woman lives who would
feel her ears poisoned by your wills
pered caresscs, her lips sullicd 10y the
touch OF yours. | thank YOU that you
have robbed your goingof all its sting"
Elsie, Elsie" exclaimed the man,
who had listened, with a great amaze
ment growing in bis eyes. listen ere
YOU so rcprOach me. / loved YOU ere !
knew it. l meant not 10 drift into dis
honor nor vet to tell you Of my love,
since the telling made il such. Listen,
Elsie Return shat which has burst all
bounds to-day. Let me see You smile
upon me as Of old and will break every
bond that holds me, so that only can
hold you to my heart and call you
mine."
Think you that l would accept your
love at such "A price, above and beyond
all tainted with dishonor? ! am but a
simple girl, Ernest Hammond, but the
way of truth and honesty is at least
open 10 me. You have proved 10 me
how false thing may be, let the out
side be fair as il may, doubt not shall
be the better for the lesson"
The summer waned, the harvest fruits
were gathered. The winter came with
its garb Of purity, but Ellie seemed 70
take no heed OF time Tho old people
listened vainly for the ripple Of song
they hopSl 30 we'll 70 hear, and wondered
what had como over the child. But
ther- vas an hour close at hand when
ell idle Surpnisee were swallowed up in
one common throb Of anxious fear
Two fishing boats had gone out from
their nidst. Allan Fame commanding
them, but only one bad come back in
safety. A terrific storm had o~ertaken
them, and those who escaped gave little
hepes OF the Others rescue. Ellie lis
tened to the story with wide, staring
eyes. then turned away with q Sres,
sob and stsle down to the beach Day
after day found her straininS her eye.
seward. until at last the words which
tortured her broke bounds.
Il tod you. Allan, you would and
your mistake, and that one day you
woun iove another. nttIe dreamed
10 Wa who made tho mistake, who
loved you even when I spurncd your
0est, honest heart. know Il tho day
he left me, Allan, md Il gsvo me
strsnxth 10 say the words which told
him all my scorn, for side by ode with
k1a ptiful weakness I seemed TO -
your fsne shining forth It's love for mo;
- hear your voice with the misery n
II you could not hide. All, Sea, yea who
spared my LIE, could you not ha~s
8ved hisY"