The Marble times and Crystal silver lance., 1900-11-16

~ \MN,NttEUMLA Ndu At dShSds AL
NNW%%N1ytJh return.
N\%WSSAMTMNp "Dearly-oh, most
NNNWHS%. dearlyl' she de-
clared. Better than all the world.
except yourself"
"Ah, Nellie! you had almost forgot
ten your old uncle. You call me fas-
tidious, but 1 wished to try you both,
and ascertain whether Arthur's long
sojourn in Europe had not lessened
your attachment for each other"
Now for homily on the fraility of
fallen humanity! But what a poor
the name of Love, could dear Arthur
and l so readily have forgotten our
VOWS of cons tancyw
"Constancy is a myth. my child,
which the poet tells us lives in realms
above and rarely visits this change
more rial His love has apparently
outlived absence. Will it be proof
against evil report--shame"
Shame uncle! said you" and Mel
lies cheeks crimsoned as she clenched
her hands. "Shame! said you? Who
nameW
Listen. Nellie, to a story Of my
younger days, when l. like you, be-
lieved in the truth of woman and the
honor of man."
Nellie seated herself on low otto
o+
upon him to listen to his words:
Il was quiet, studious youth, de-
voted to books and to various expert
ments l was making in chemistry.
which. in those days, had the same
fascination for me it still possesses"
1.-THE back arty' whispered Nellie.
"Hush! my spoiled darling! Well,
even the mysteries of alchemy did not
shield me from falling deeply in love
with a young lady endowed with bril-
liant chal ms and accomplishments,
who captivated my impressionable
imagination.
But the dazzling beauty and the
quiet student were unsuited to each
other ] sometimes left her presence
mentally resolving never to return,
after beholding her smiles bestowed
on some more favored rival, and yet,
a word, or even tone, would win me
back, and l was once more held In
thraldom powerless to break the
chains that bound me.
II should tell you that Mr.. Fortes-
cue, Irene's father, had an estate sew
eral miles from the town where l re-
sided, and one day received letter
from her written in terms of unusual
affection-and In the faith that is now
swept away with my wrecked youth
l replied. promising to visit her on
the following day."
Mr. Warneford paused Some one
had entered the adjoining room, the
footsteps hardly sounding on the rich,
soft carpet. He signed to the intruder
to rema' there, half hidden by the
folds of heavy curtains that fell be-
tween the two apartments.
"Well, uncle" said Nellie, impa
tiently. She had not turned her head
supposing 1t was merely one Of the
servants entering to close the windows
for the night "And did you visit
Irene, as you promised"
"NO, my child-and had 1 done so
what a different destiny might have
been mine, and that Of one far dearer
was detained in town on some unex
pected business until too late. but the
next day 4 set forth.
Just as the train by which I was
travelling was starting a young an(
pretty woman, with little child II
her arms. and also carrying severa
packages. entered he car where
was seated, and took place beside
me. The beauty of the child attracted
my observation, and the young moth
er. who appeared g. stranger to tina
locality, questioned Inc concernin,
he route, the several stations ant
the time we should arrive at al
she Informed me, she had to meet 1
J Western traiA by which to travel to
. distant State.
II would gladly have enscor my
self In the corner. revolving in m!
own mind the meeting With Irene. ant
reaearsing an apologetic address t.
dispel the ominous frown 1 imagined
gathered upon her brow, but this wa
impossible, for either the mother O
the child continually engaged my at
: tention.
''At length we neared The junction
The passengers. as usual, scrambled
out. each for himself, and the younj
mother, with her baby. was about th,
last to leave. very few persons conrin
uing the journey.
"'I will jnst place my parcels in th,
walting-room. SIR said she. on de
ScendIng, and run back for the baby