The record-union., 1897-01-03


Await alike the inevitable hour,
The paths of glory lead but to the grave. =
Il think, madam that you had bet
ter go. It's getting so late. and the
others have gone hours ago She
started and stared about in a helpless
| way as some one touched her respect
fully on the shoulder. Where am l,
and what has happened?" Then as her
| eyes wandered to the altar where a
while ago he had knelt beside the
white-robed bride she remembered.
| 1T was a grand affair, madam,
the Copeland -Denvent wedding. Some
one said you had come to write it up,
SO l thought you were busy and prob
ably did not know how late it had
grown
mo, L did not know" she answered
in an absent listless way as she watch
ed the beautiful lights from the tall.
stained panes falling in fantastic fig
ures over the altar.
1t was a grand affair, madam-a
grand affair."" he repeated as he ush-
cred her out into the street.
| A cold, drizzling rain was falling and
the pavements We're wet and slippery
The short November day was nearly
dead and the streets almost deserted
as she staggered into the office. The
paper had gone to press two hours
ago.
| '.Ah, Mr. Munro" she gasped as he
rose to receive her, ''after all your cen.
| fidence in me l have failed. Something
| happened. +" She sank into a
chair and sobbed Historically.
Don't try to talk, Miss Gerard. You
are Ill, and as for failing, why, it's all
right. Moore went and wrote it up,
| too. He did not understand that you
We're to go, so we had an account of
! it anyway. I dare say you could have
done better than he, but it's all right.
| l am sorry you are i'll; think you need
| a rest
L think if you can spare me 1 will
go down to Hillsdale for a week" He
looked up i'm surprise 'tWhat-after an
unbroken absence of six years." Then,
as he noted her distressed look: per
haps it would be better, but don't let
THAT old sweetheart q don't remember
lis name spoil your career, Miss
Gerard"
Your fears are groundiess, she re-
piled with more bitterness than was
necessary.
Just you get back in time for Daisy
RelPs' next story" said Mr. Munro
laughingly as he bade her good-by.
She did not laugh. I'm spite of her
sensational turn, Mr.. Muro, Daisy
Bell is wiser in some things than II
What has come over the grip" the
City Editor said to himself as he en-
tered the office
Rat-a-tat, rata tat-tat"
Miss Gerard opened her eyes lazily
and gazed about in bewilderment She
was in her old home at Hillsdale. Down
n, the summer kitchen could be heard
Aunt Nellie's footsteps and the clat-
ter Of tins. What was she doing in the
summer kitchen to-day? A window
was open and high UP among the cherry
blossoms, in a tree near by, a red
breasted unnet was singing shrilly
Miss Gerards bewilderment increased
Perhaps Daisy Bell" was right after
all.
"Rat-a-tat, rata tat-tat"
Come in," called Miss Gerard. She
gladly welcomed the interruption. The
door opened and in walked-Jack.
why, 1 thought you were in Eu-
rope" she gasped
We'll, l suppose you thought I was
somewhere, for when I raped a little
while ago you called me Rob and talked
about having your white, f1uttering
hands clasped, and-really, Louie, does
insanity run in your family? You have
anything but a sane look in your eyes.
Well, hope it is only temporary, else
you will never win fame, and blythe
way, Louie, if you have decided you
might let me know whether you intend
to accept Mr.. Munros offer or not.
Here's a letter from him now
"Ah, Jack, tear it up. I hate fame,
and / love you. l have had such a
dream. 1t was a dream, wasn't it?
All, il 1t should be truei' She shud-
dered.
Jack, how old am II"
Louie Gerard, what is the matter
with you? I shall call Aunt Nell.' He
looked at her pityingly. Only 10 and
iDsane-violently so. She sprang up
eagerly.
Don't, Jack. It was a dream, I
know, and nearly six years long, but
after all / am glad I dreamed it or I
might have decided differently. But
now l know 1 love you"
Then l, too, am glad you dreamed
it" he replied with infinite tenderness
as he claSped her in his arms