The Republican journal., 1900-02-15

cousin Alice, - he repeated, vaguely,
''wel. she s-Cousn Alice
Excessively explanatory" / said,
laughing. SIS Cousin Alice yonng?"
my age.
us she pretty?''
One deep, reproachful look of those
large blue eyes told me all. Poor fellow,
there he lay manned, useless, passing his
days and evenings in the presence of
some beautiful creature whom he could
never hope to possess, but loving her
with all that concentrated intensity which
belongs to the passions of the deformed.
He seemed to know what was passing
in my mind: for without Il word from me,
he continued
''She is engaged to Ralph Farnwell,
who lives down yonder. She is very
fond of him, and he of her, 1t is they
who bring me down between them to this
place every fine day, and | sit here with
Bob while they go off and pick nuts, and
and" and here the picture was too
much for him, and the poor fellow burst
into tears
No wonder. TO have his misfortune
paraded through necessity before the
"oiHdi Ho ioNcd. Nv VIC odllie' eoo",
like piece OF furniture by her and his
rival. How often that poor heart must
have been smitten bitterly How often
those crippled limbs thrilled with agony!
| took his hand in mine. but did not
say word There are times when conso-
lation is cruel. 1t was better than all
words to let him feel by the pressure of
my band that he had found friend. We
sat this way for some time, until / was
aroused from paiuiui reYerle Int" winch
| had fallen by long, black shade" be
ing projected across the spot in which we
We're sitting. L looked ny and saw a tall,
handsome young man with bronzed cheeks
and curly chestnut hair, on whose arm
was hanging an exceedingly lovely young
girl, whose face was a perfect treasury Of
archness and innocence They looked
rather surprised .at seeing me, but l ex-
planned how il was that | came to be
there, and they seerned satisfied.
Harry, iSn't 1t time to come home?'
said the young girl. ''Ralph and | are
come for you"
''Thank you, Alice; but L d like to stay
an hour longer. The day is so bright and
sunny that it is shame to be in doors.
You don't want to 90 home yet" and he
looked at Ralph be said this, with
bitter expression Of countenance that
perhaps | alone observed, but which
seemed to say: l. viii give you an hour
more to wander together. OF course you
don't want To go home-
"Well, as you please, Harry. Ralph
and | will 90 off IT, the pond in the cedar
grove and come back in about an hour
But / say Harry, look here; isn't this
pretty?" and as She spoke she held ont a
little box for his inspection. He opened
it, and disclosed pretty little ring set
with garnets. While he looked at it,
Allie stopped over and with blush whis
pered something into his ear, which made
him. to my keener sight, culver in all
that part of him that was alive. 1t was
but momentary, however, for he restored
the box, saying, coldly-
"Well, | wish you both every happi-
ness. You will find me here when you
return"
AS they walked slowly away, he follow
ed them with his eyes, then turned to me.
'They are to be married next Sunday"
he said
felt all the meaning of his words. l
pitied him. Solitude is a need to him
at this moment. | will leave him. AS |
pulled out my watch and prepared for my
departure, he said to mel am exceed
ingly obliged to you, sir, for your COM
pany, but | want you to do me one more
favor before you leave. You are strong
and l am light. Please take me to the
giant chair. l love to sit on it and dip
my hand in the salt wash of the sea-
''But are you not afraid of slipping and
falling imp" | asked, for the giants chair
was Enthusiastically shaped rock few
hundred yards down the beach, around
whose rugged base the sea at high tide
washed DANGEROUSLY.
"Oh! no." he answered; "there is a
cleft in it where l sit quite safely. And
when Ralph and Alice come to look for
me, can easily shout to them from where
| am. Do take me, sir, if you please'