The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-10-26
HAPPY AT LAST.

As she approached the cottage she
saw a gentleman sitting in the door
way, his head resting on his hand.
Approaching him., she greeted him
with Good evening, Mr.. Brown"
Good evening, Miss Harper" said
the young man, without looking at her
She did not know what to make Of
1t, and tossing her head with an indg-
nant air she ran UP the steps into the
cottage AS she entered the room she
noticed Mabel sitting in her usual place
at the piano.
Good evening, Mabel" said Lillian
Harper In clear tone.
Good evening, Lillian" returned
Mabel, leaving the piano. II am so
glad to see you. Whatever moved you
| to come up here alone?"
Lillian made no reply, but walked
uneasily to the window. As she looked
out over the river she saw the boats of
fishermen, their white sails cleaning
with the evening sun. For some mo-
ments she was lost in deep thought.
At length raising her large dark eyes
towards Mabel, she asked in soft,
low tone: us there anything the mat
ter with George?'
"Why?" inquired Mabel in surprise.
Because he always acts with indif-
ference when am around, and can't
understand it."
at is his way" whispered Mabel,
casting soft glance toward her. you
must not mind him, Lillian. You know
he loves you. Anyway, think he has
cause to treat you with indifference
since Fred Perry has come home
again."
AS she opened the door she saw that
George still sat in the same place and
in the same position as before. Lillian
touched him on the shoulder, but no
did not move.
George" she said softly, tender
look in her eyes.
"Well?" he said, removing his hands
Now that Lillian could see his face
she noticed it was pale and worn, his
lips tightly closed. y. !.--'Ss'''
George said Lillian earnestly,
what makes you so changed of late?"
And Is 1t l alone that am changed?"
asked George scornfully. "You can
never see yourself as others see you.
Where is the dear. sweet Lillian | had
once known? Where is the girl ! be-
lfeved mine? She now loves another,
who is not worthy Of her."
AS Lillian turned to speak, the young
man interrupted her.
Lillian, l do not care to see you or
speak to you again, now that you have
deceived me-
George" she exclaimed, her cheeks
glowing and her eyes flashing.
How lovely she looked. All his hopes
had fed. Another had won her heart.
AS he turned his head away she saw
tears In his eyes. She stopped down,
and laying her small white hand in
his, said with gentle voice:
Dear George you know I love you,
and though can never marry you, yet
you will always be my friend"
He looked at her and smiled scorn-
fully, and without a word arose and
walked away.
Slowly and sadly Lillian sauntered
toward her home. She was SO deep in
thought that she heard not a step be-
hind her, until voice broke the ST.
lence
"of what are you thinking of so
deeply, my dear?'
She looked up at the man who had
reached her side.
Fred Perry" said she, you are al
ways sure to be around when l don't
want you"
He laughed as he passed a remark
about the beautiful evening. AS they
walked up the lane that led to the
house she did not seem to listen to his
words. Her thoughts were directed to
the one who loved her, the one who
could not live without her.
81 am tired, Fred" she said at last,
land do not wish tn talk" With this |
she babe him good night.
AS she assembled the stairway leading
to her room, she opened the door and
entered. Everything seemed to re-
mind her Of the past two years in
which she had known George. 1t was
a sad night for Lillian Harper. She
did not attempt to undress, but sat ST.
lently looking out Of the window. This
wind. as 1t rusted the leaves of the
trees, spoke to her of George. She
could stand it no longer, and putting
a cloak over her shoulders she walked
out into the midnight air,
AS she walked toward the bank of
the river she noticed the figure Of a
young man approaching her When he
came near she recognized the one who
loved her beyond words.
Lillian" he murmured as he stood
before her.
Yes, dear George" and as her eyes
fell upon that troubled face, so dif-
ferent from the bright, happy George
she had once knowh, she covered her
face and wept. While they stood there
be told her that the hrst moment he be-
held her he knew bis fate. 1t was to
love deeply and in silence until death
should end his life.
As he spoke, she turned her face to
him and whispered: mo, dear George,
Just as you wish"
He came nearer to her, and taking
her hands in his he said: "You have
always known my Wish ever since we
met"
the words he SO longed to speak to
her came My darling, | have loved |
you the past two years. VIII you now
be- fnine?"
He had said what all men say when
they offer their hands and hearts, and
she had said yes"
AS he kissed her good-by he told her
10 meet him in tho afternoon in the