The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-04-12

sojourn there was far from pleasant.
| But perhaps l was preiudiced. Its one
| long street grew monotonous; and
| what relief could the emerald green
pastures afford to a troubled heart?
Next day We abandoned this coun-
| try, town of Fermanagh, and took
boat on Loeb Erne. Here was beauty
! enough, l confess, and my spirits rose
| within me. Perhaps my rising happi-
ness owed somewhat to hope, for was
! not drawing nearer to Bundoran?
| Leaving the vessel at Castle Caldwell
| on we went to Ballyshannon, my eyes
ever alert there were intermediate
stations. on again, this time afoot,
to the center of my hopes-Bundoran-
| that charming little resort that lies in
one Of the graceful curves OF Donegal
| Bay. We arrived at in the evening.
| Here began our search for lodgings.
We had passed nearly the whole
| length of the village, and were still un-
| suited, when, looking across the way,
| | say that which made my heart beat
| tattoo against my ribs. 1t was Gray
| Eyes. She was seated at the window
reading. The house was quiet and
| respectable looking, and displayed the
familiar plain white envelope that de-
notes apartments.
| \ sudden ineXplcable hestancy
| seized me, born perhaps of shyness,
! but l realized that it was now or never
| and arguing that | could not afford to
| be timid just then, l pulled Austins
| sleeve and led him like a lamb across
| the way.
Said the good lady of the house, in
answer TO my inquiries:
And it's lodging yen want? Ye
can have bedroom, but ye will take
| the meals with the rest of us. And it's
sorry am that We cannot have a room
| for sitting"
And it was sorry I was not. but con-
| siderably the other way. awaited
| the next meal, which was at o'clock,
with rather more eagerness than the
| best OF appetites could justify. The
| three hours intervening seemed inter-
minable, but the longest lane has irs
| turning, and at last the hour arrived.
! With 1t supper. Our hostess went to
| the foot of the stairs.
Miss Farren," she called.
Then heard that dear voice reply:
Just one minute, Mrs. Tremorne. I
| will be down directly"
And almost Immediately I heard
| gentle footstep on the stair. The door
| opened, and there, impaneled in the
blackness of the doorway, her glorious
hair, pensive face, and graceful figure
| lit up by the golden light of the lamp.
| her gray eyes full of wonder. stood the
| sweetest girl in all the world
If she had looked lovely when enve-
| loped in that gray cloak, how much
| more lovely did she seem to me now,
| blessed the good fortune that placed
| me next to her at the table. The meal
| was merry one, albeit Gray Eyes
was more subdued than the two young
| ladies from Dublin. Beyond the pale
| of Median laws of etiquette, we formed
Chatty and jolly company, leaving
stiffness at home with our linen, and
adopting the more comfortable atti-
| tude of the hannels we wore.
This, the happiest meal Of my life,
over, ] proposed a short walk. and the
Dublin girls jumped at it, Miss Far
ren, to my great disappointment, de-
clined. Maybe my discomfort was ex-
pressed in my face, for she leaned
toward me and said in an undertOne:
Are YOU very sorry" Then with a
smile: There are the two Misses
Ward, you know; you will not be
| lonely"
Miss Farren," l said. Il shall be
more lonely than Robinson Crusoe un-
less you accompany us"
But l am rather sleepy" she OBJ
jected.
THE fresh air will awaken you"
IL submit she said, resignedly, with
a fash of her eyes under the lashes.
We wandered forth, Austin with a
Miss Ward on either side: Miss Far
rem and myself following more leis-
urely behind. And what a walk We
had, too! And how perfect We're our
surroundings, A bright moon rode
high overhead, and the rough waves
of the Atlantic tumbled and broke
upon the rocky fOreshore. below us,
while the mutiled roar of their inn
pact filed the cool night air. and
formed a rhythmical accompaniment
to the melody of my fair companions
voice.
Was l not dellriously happy? No!
Throughout all she said to me rang
that dominant note of sadness. How
could ! be happy, how could l rest
until the cankoTwOrm that was gnaw-
ing at her heart strings was de-
stroyed? We had reached a quiet nook
overlooking the silVery sweep of wa.-
ers, when / asked her:
Tell me-" | said, what is II that
makes you so sad, so far away from
the happiness around you. Try To
forget that l have known YOU for so
little. / feel as if | have known YOU
for years. can You tell me now. Miss
Farren? Don't think | am merely
curious, | want to help YOU if I Can,
and would move heaven and earth To
make you really happy"
she looked UP at me, and by the
light of the moon / could see the grati-
tude of a warm, true nature in hc-
eyes
II thank you, Mr.. Hermitage" she
said. II fell that your motive is kind
iy ana l am grateful to you, deepIy
grateful, but 1 cannot-I dare NOS
tell you" Her tone was ineffably
tender, and If l mistake not, a tear
started from each of those glorious
orbs and hung trembling in the bal
ance."
AS / closed the easement, and turned
INTO bed later, my mind was a perfect
chaos Life past, life present, life
future-all merged into a vast over
Whelning tomorrow. Tomorrow
what would it bring forth? What a
world full of possibilities swan before
me IN the silent watches of the night.
wardlng off sleep as with a poniard
point. | would help her. But how?
knlght errantry was not dead. | would
De her knight errant. 1 pictured my
seit helping her in a thousand ways;