The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-02-17

"And you have not married."
why should tie myself TO wom- |
an?"
''Is she free?"
Entirely; young, beautiful, educat- |
ed, accomplished and might make bet
ter fellow good wife, but could new
er endure the CALLING chains of matri-
mony, Hal, and / sincerely hope you
will find the happiness SO few inherit. F"
"We are treading on dangerous
ground" he said, rising quickly and
throwing his cigar away, "and, as it is
nearly morning, I'll say Good night
and retire. -
"All right, old chap. I'll see you at
breakfast.
Though Ferris had spoken confidently
Of his love affair to Ernest Dangerfeld,
he was far from feeling sure that the
course Of his true love was running
through the smooth and flowery path.
For months after he had gained the
promise from Lillian Dalton TO be his
wife all had been propitious. No lover
could have wished more happy court
ship The day for their wedding was
| set in the month of June, though Hal
preferred May, but Lillian, like all
women, was no doubt superstitious aud
would not listen to his reasons that he
would have more time to devote to her
during the honeymoon if the ceremony
| took place a month earlier. But June
was at last fully decided upon.
Then Hal kissed her goodby and
started forth on his journey. At first
their correspondence was regular, their
letters lengthy and full Of their love and
hopes, but gradually the length of Lii
lians letters grew less and the tone cold
err, and Hal, reading between the lines,
saw heartache and sorrow-some un-
pleasantness in her home life, he feared,
or perhaps she regretted her promise to
him and fretted to be free.
Time passed. But try as he would TO
possess his soul with patience Hal could
not content himself until he learned
from Lillian the cause of her sadness,
and, il she were dissatisfied, release her
from her vows.
It was with O sinking heart that he
one day alighted from the railway at
the little village where he had gained
his education and Ernest Dangerfielt
and himself had passed the happies
DAYS of their lives-he, at least, for ]
was here he had met the dainty, dbl
like beauty who had so completely VOL
his heart, and whom lie could remembe
as beautiful child playing at he
, nurses feet when he was ID boy.
, AS he hurried on toward her widowe'
: mothers cottage he glanced with loo
of reverence toward the tall, massiv
pile of architecture where he had spen
Q his college days
1 He more than hoped to meet Lillia
Q in the old fashioned garden of her HON
D the sweetest spot OH earth to him
\ but she was not there. The blinds wei
drawn and the verdure of early sprin
+ was already growing rampant and
s disarray. 1t looked to Hal like the rul
i of happy home, and his own heart fe
n the impress Of it's desolation.
Y In answer to his knock at the door
v strange servant opened it to him al
% ushered him into the dainty parlor, q
"a darkened aud silent. 1t seemed an hot
before any one came to him, and thu
d it was it was not Lillian, but her mothe
l. Hal noticed that she was great
II changed-aged and worn.
" "Where is Lillian" he asked as
h pressed her cold hand in his own.
Gillian is ILL.,"
ID "Not dangerously"
{. "No, only indisposed. She will Il
IN see you." Then, with a sudden burst
10 tears, "Oh, l have pleaded with her
she cried. "But she will not listen
" me. She is so changed-so changed
ne Hal face hardened.
"Tell her that will not go til
" have seen her. l have come to end Il
il. right now. y :,
j. Another long wait followed the del
rs ery of this message, and at last Lilli
ey entered the room.
IN Yes. she was changed. She did
w meet his eyes frankly, and her head v
" bowed on her breast, while the recedl
Nv flush that had mounted to her che
ok when she first entered his presence sic
TO " faded away, leaving her pale and n
low eyed.
sy One look into her face was to Hal
Dir reading Of loves death warrant.
nd Had he felt that one ray OF hope g.
lived to warm his heart, 1t perish
10 when he thus saw her face.
,is "Lillianr' he said, his voice chok
nd with the surging feelings that wo
,at not down. LILLIAN, when l left 20
N. few months ago I placed all the Ia
I'd. and devotion of pure heart upon y
truth and honor. One look into y
ed face tells me its own story. You 81
te. betrayed me. f"
NO "Oh, Halr' Her head fell forwa
and she covered her face with her han
"Nor is it only that you have betr
md ed me by loving another-that co
Sc. forgive-but, Lillian, there is guilt
,pu your eyes, and before God would "a
an. er see you dead. / need no further pr
pb- of this than your own conduct.
in have broken the golden letters I
bound us. only hope that the maj
whom you have given yourself Is hol
avs able and loves you.
- A..i