The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1900-03-22


leisulely and Indifferent manner and pro-
! ceeded to call upon that obnoxious Nellie
Kellis, whom Resale regarded SO super
ciIiously.
Mr.. Dalton meanwhile found his affairs
In somewhat perplexing state. Flirta-
ton had been since his eleventh year the
element in which he delighted to exist.
Matrimony, with its cares and RESPONSE
bilities, was to him the most distant Of
prospects and must offer .ra induce
mcnts to make him forsake his freedom.
Now, however, he began to feel himself
very seriously interested in person who
had not one claim to fashion, family or
fortune, n little village girl who wore
dresses Of her own fitting and made all
the pies and cakes that appeared on her
table Whether she really cared for him
or regarded him as a friend or simply as
an admircr was impossible to say.
Other people were not as slow In draw
Ing their conclusions, and before three
weeks were oyer the village authorities
In such cases declared that it would be a
match.
Harry could not in his heart deny the
reasonablcness of their predictions. lie
had the grief of believing that his wishes,
hopes and affections were nothing to Ro-
sale. Yet had he anything but his own
harshness to blame for the change? He
was miserable but his own act had
caused the misery.
Mr., Dalton had mother living, q
stately lady of some forty odd years, well
preserved and leader OF society. CLAIR
cnce was her only boy and the object Of
great many ambitious dreams. The mar
rage which looked to him so misty and
far away was to her very near reality
She had selected Il girl of his rank for a
wife, when, 10, there came rumor that
struck her to the heart! Could it be that
Clarence was about to make a fool of
himself? She wrote n letter to her son
in which she expressed perfect confidence
in his discretion and her assurance that
he would do nothing foolish or impru-
dent
Mr.. Clnrence's brow as he read the ma
tcrnal cffusion was clouded with thought.
Where, in the name Of common sense.
could there be any danger in marriage
with such charming girl as Resale
Amcs? As for the danger of her heart,
he wished he were little surer Of il. He
felt at that moment that his own was in
much more perilous position than hers.
AS Harry walked that afternoon along
the broad road leading from his home he
was attracted by almost inarticuate
groans, and, looking a few yards into the
distance, he saw IL scnsecss form lying in
his path, while a mad horse dashed fu-
~ ,fIr Il hy, A In ,I,n,t a.
or he thoroughly recognized the dark,
tasteful riding suit which he had seen
Dalton wear so often before. And. pass
ing from the clothing, his eyes rested up
on the face, pale US death. Of the uncon-
sciOus man.
Good and bad angels tugged at Harry's
soul for one moment in Il mortal conflict.
What call had he to interfere in his be-
half? The snceriug fop who had biighted
all his hopes Let him stay there and
die. But i'll the next moment, forgetting
all but the welfare Of his fellow being,
he SnatchCI off his Oyercoat and raised
Dalton's head and rested it upon il. Then
with frantic haste lie summoned aid, and
all that skill and care could do was en-
ploycd for the sufferers restoration.
Harry hung over him, pale and agonized,
the accusing voice ever ringing in his
ears. "God forgive me-" he said, that
wicked delay"
AT last signs Of returning life We're Nisi.
bic, and ere long the physicians assured
the watchers around that all was hope
full Rest and good nursing alone were
needed.
AT this Harry quietly stole away and
resumed his walk, Wandering thus, quite
forgetful of the outer world. he cncoun-
tered a well known forn-Rosale stood
in his path, with her cheeks pallid. her
eyes swollen with weeping She did not
seek to avoid him as she had often done
of late, but seemed awaiting him to
speak, lie took her hand. She did not
withdraw it. He felt that she knew all.
"Don't hate me-" he said. 81 deserve
no credit. almost turned to leave him,
for hatred and Jealousy had possession Of
me, and if lie had died should have
been his murderer. But it was for you,
Resale. loved you so. For have
saved him only to render certain the de-
structon Of my own happiness"
Rosalc looked up at him with brim-
ming eyes. II don't see why" she said
to make you unhappy
Now, ! cannot say whether this state |
ment appears to yon particularly lucid, !
but Harry was clever enough to under
stand it instantly. All the troubles, trials
and misgivings of the last few weeks dis
pcrsed like miss before the sun, and con-
tent took the place Of wretchcdncss in
those two reunited hearts.