Griggs courier., 1898-08-25
cred upon her gifts Of such value thst

She had given herself for this time up !
to study. that he might feel Justi6-
able pride in her, but as on the eve of
her twentieth birthday, in the lus-
trous silk trailing behind her its costly
folds. jewels cleaning in her hair and
On the marble purity of her neck and
arms, she reads in his glance his proud
content, as standing by his side she re-
ceives the guests he has summoned in
her honor.
The weeks which follow establish
her claim to belledon. The daughter
of Col. Smithers (for such is her new
found fathers nancy at any time
would attract attention, but with her
beauty and grace all bow beneath the
scepter she wields as though she had
held it all her life. But to the many
suitors who sue for her fair hand she
gives to one and all gentle, firm re-
fusal. Always when alone there comes
before her mental vision the picture OF
a gallant ship with sails unfurled rid
ing the crest-topped waves. it's brave,
young commander looking with
straining eyes toward the land, where
lie all his dearest hopes, and words OF
love from other men fall deaf on ears
which have listened to those uttered
by his lips. Her father, too happy to
keep the child he has so long lost al!
she does not care to leave him, but day
by day strives to show by some new
proof of love his imneasurable con-
tent.
So the year slips by, and the month
Belle is to spend with her foster pa
rents has returned: All, SO gladly her
eve fails on the familiar landscape she
once spurned. and the cottage which
then seemed the narrow scope to her
horizon now rises before her with such
beauty that it brings tears to her eyes
and glad rush of JOY to her heart.
Outward1y, 1t is no longer Belle who
has come home to them. who lies
clasped TO their hearts. The graceful
young form is clad i'll garments which
we'll suit their wearer; skill and art
have given the picture setting more
worthy it's beauty, but the heart with
in is all unchanged. This they realize
as. mingling her tears with theirs, she
questions of this and that. and in her
.ssld way peers here and there, while
taeir eyes follow every movement as if
some princess had stepped across their
threshold. But the question nearest
her heart she utters not. "Has his
ship come home?" This trembles on
her lips. but she dares not speak it. He
will come to welcome her, if he is here.
But the glad news she learns at last
without seeking. The ship in port has
ridden we'll, and her young captain
earned fresh laurels on his voyage.
On the morrow she will see him. With
this sweet thought she seeks at last
the bed whercon have rested so often
her childish limbs, and closes her eyes
to dream of him. With his image still
uppermost in her mind she wakcns in
the morning. Will he think me
changed? she wonders as he makes her
fresh toilette, wearing the color he
has so often told her he liked best. but
the sun which has risen in such glory
sets again. the ribbons she has so
carefully selected are again folded and
put away. but he for whom they were
worn has not come.
So passes away heavy week, and
the old captain and his wife look with
anxiety on the pale cheek they at first
thought so blooming, and hold anxious
consultations as to whether city dis
sipation has agreed with their sweet
wild rose. It is no longer with pleas
ure she walks slowly down to the
sands and stands with busy thought
of him who has proved SO faithlcss,
when, as though conjured up, he
stands before her. The bright color
dyes her cheek. spite of her effort at
outward calmness as he speaks.
''This is an unexpected surprise.
Miss Smithers. hardly hoped to find
you here"
Elise you would not have come.
Your presence requires no apology.
l only regret have not acquired your
facility to forget old friends
Forget! Would to God could for
get he interrupted her.
"a year ago 1 left a bright, lovely
girl who promised on my return to be
my wife. For II long months no word
reached me, but 1 came home with
heart full Of hope to find her not dead.
it is true. but dead to unchanged
even in name. Had some magician
waved his hand, no greater transfor-
nation could have been wrought. Do
not mock me. Miss Smithers have
already suffered enough" and raising
his hat he turned to go, but stopped,
arrested by her voice. 1t was very
low, but every word fell clear and dis
tinct upon his ear.
"Your promised wife is waiting
STILL" she said. "Is it for her to tell
you that she has grown weary. for her
to sue that her probation may end? !?
Bert, you have laid low my pride when
can thus address you. but because
my name is no longer the same. be-
cause have found father, must I
lose husband?''
But her last word was left unfin-
ished as he snatched her to his arms,
his face radiant, his brain reeling with
his wonderful JOY.
Darling" he murmured at last, "the