The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-06-26
MAE'S SACRIFICE.

Al my ehauoW VI unnhpplnesS OF JeAl
ousy spoiled the brightness of Mae Lisbon
life, not one of the gay group of which sh,
was member seemed to know 1t, for sh,
was not girl to "wear her heart upor
her sleeve"
And yet, among all that merry party
just setting out for prolonged horseback
ride among the surrounding steep, noun
tainouslike hills, on that beautiful autumn
afternoon, there was not another heart SC
crushed and hopeless and despairing rs
that which beat under pretty Mae Lisbon &
dark blue riding habit.
But she laughed brightly as she refined
her prancing horse to one side to make
room for Paul Beresford to pass with Miss
Elise Turley, whom he had just assisted
to her saddle with an air of tender emo
tion that wrung Macs very heartstrings.
I'm expecting every day to hear their
engagement announced" said Joe st.
Giles, Macs escort, with significant
glance and smile toward tho handsome
pair ITS clear case of mutual fascina-
ton Don't you think SO, Miss Lisbon?''
1T does look that way" she returned
quietly.
So they rode on, talking, laughing, Jest
ing, sometimes the whole party keeping
together for awhile, the scattering in oou-
pies to explore the picturesque scenery of
the valleys or the winding roads that went
twisting boldly, and sometimes danger
ously, around the rugged hillside slopes.
Gay as Mae Lisbon's bright face and
sweet, ringing Tighter declared her to be,
her heart was heavy with its weight of
woe, and she stole away from the others
for time that she might lay aside the
mask OF happiness which, while In their
presence, pride compelled her to wear.
After riding along for awhile she came
to sort of gulch or dry creek bed, deep
and narrow, which she unhesitatngly
made her horse Temp over, for Mae was a
fine and fearless equestrienne.
Going some distance farther, she dis
mounted, and throwing the reins over her
arm, went on to explore deserted mining
cabin which nestled picturesquely among
some rocks little way beyond.
Here she sat down, and before she knew
it, was lost in the labyrinth of her own
intensely painful thoughts
She knew that st. Giles words were
true, though they had been spoken half in
jest, and that it could not be long ere an
engagement between Paul Beresford and
Elise Iurley would be formally announced.
And how she, Mae, loved himl
But, thank heaven, he had never guessed
1t, and now he never would.
She would cheerfnlly have given years
of her life to be loved by him. But he had
passed both her love and her loyeliness
by with unseeipg eyes to lay his hearU at
the feet of that fair, dazzling blond beauty
who would soon be his bride
What grim old sphinx fate is!r she
cried out at last, half sob in her break
ing voice II would die for his love. Yet
all can do Is to hide the truth from him,
to keep 1t from speaking in my eyes and
sobbing In my voice when l come near
MIN, while another woman holds that
precious love OF his in the hollow of her
dainty hand without an effort, and will
doubtless pass her whole life at his side
without even knowing or half appreciat-
Ing the priceless blessing that it is. Oh,
If somo"-
She stopped abruptly, shocked horri.
led, by terrific crash of thunder which
seemed to rend the very rocks apart.
Heavens, how foolish have been not
20 notice this befOre!" she exclaimed, her
pretty uplifted face paling with consterna-
ion. But such lovely day as it was
when we started. Who could have dreamed
If such change as tbis2 What will they
hink has become Of nc, wonderS Oh,
must hurry OF l shall miss them all, and
iaVe to find my way alone through this
storm. wonder if St. Giles is
Harmed about me'-a little smile despite
he grave situation, Pickering around he1
harnting lips-"no, l think not, us he |
'nows what reckless rider often am"
All this time she was leading her horse
own the uneven slope to the road below,
where sho mounted and went flying, as |
Witty as the storm would allow, in tho
Erection whence she had come.
Teaching tho narrow gulch, however,
'hich such short time before she had
rossed so easily, Mae found it now a rush
ng torrent, from which her horse drew
ack with quiyering nostrlls and unwill-
ng feet.
Good gracious! What am going to
OF" she thought impatiently. "Oh, here
my bugle, Perhaps l can at least let
ome OF them know my whereabouts
And lifting the little silver bugle, which
he carried to her lips, she blew one long,
brill, clear blast, then paused, listening
ltently for some response.
1t came sooner than she expected.
There was an answering call, and a mo-
rent later Paul Berestord came into view
'ound q little promontory hundred
ards away.
Mae drew back as he approached, too
nazed to utter sound.
why, Miss Lisbon!" he cried coming
? to her. GOOD heavens, are YOU lost
oH II somehow got separated from
ISIS Hurley after crossing this creek to
I'd some particular specimens of autumn
'wers for her, and now it seems out of
@ question to recross it. l never saw
lything like this BEFORE he added
oomily, his handsome face clouded with
o most perxplexed anxiety
'Oh, we must recross 1t! We must get
ok to our party, Mr.. Baresford!" ex-
ilmed Mac as sudden realization of
cir position flashed upon her. Surely
can find some point where orr horses
n make the leap. Come, let us hastcnl
'cry moment makes it worse!"
Paul shook his head with hopeless
lilc. Still he obcyed her, and almost
Intically thew rode I'm and down tho