North Park union., 1900-05-04

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The fair Isls Of Wight was looking
At its fairest on q glorious evening at
the end Of April. when the mail paek-
ct ffom Portsmouth steamed across the
Solsnt towards Ryde Pier.
Ths green vsrdure of budding sum
msr lay thiekiy on the far-stretching
landscape and the tall trees dotted
throusA the island town. rising % pic
tu1ooQoaly upva1d from the 80, and
capped by ths lofty spire OF the pArish
church.
Ths ioaG pronsaade pier was Gay
With holiday makers, and eastward.
The sspianads was bright with patches
of sDsing flowers: while the soft mel
o1y of brass baad noated ntfully out
ovsr the azure sea.
TAAfs were two travellers ON board
he steamer who regarded the fair
sesos before them with enraptured
syss. Tor they were bride and bride
groo0 on their wedding tour-Roddy
and Diana Gordon-and the veriest
desert must have seemed = paradise to
then In the all-satisfying happiness
which union had brought to both. But
the fashionable Ryde was not to be
their destination.
Their young love as yet demanded
the charm of solace Of solitude. and 1t
was southvard, towards the great blu6
white cliffs and the silver strands of
Shanklin the Island train was soon
swiftly bearing them. to the rose-cov-
cred cottage which was to hold for
thsm the hrst mystic name Of home.
Home! What . talisman lay in that
simple word! And as the young sol
der led his happy bride across the
threshold his heart swellsd with graft
tude to the God who had shielded him
through perils Of pain and bitter
bloodahed in far India. to bring him
10 this haven Of peace and perfect love
at last.
And presently. as they fingered over
dinner. reluctant to bring to an end
that drst delicious repast shared in
their Eden together. they spoke of Don
over whose welfare they yearned with
all he tender sympathy born Of their
own happiness and large-hearted love.
Roddy had brought round his des-
sert plate and sat dowa by Diana's
Ode. ostensibly to invite her to peel
bis walnuts. q task Of which Roddy
himself had no aptitude; but another
diversion occurred by the arrival Of the
post. the last mail for the night
One letter was from Don. which had
been posted to 0adie Ha' and now
forwarded BY Roddy's father. And as
Roddy tore It open and scanned Its
contents an exclamation Of pleasure
passsd his lips.
There. httle wife. didn't I predict
this!" hs said triumphantly. And
forthwith be read aloud Q few hasty
lines Don had penned to Roddy on the
night Of his bstrothal to Lille Der
went. previous to his departure for the
camp Of the Tirah force.
It was q wonderfully bright letter for
Don. full Of congratulation on Roddy's
forthcoming marriage and calm salts
faction in his own engagement: and 1t
ended with a postscript that stirred
both Di and Roddy to the heart.
Il begin to think. old fellow, per-
haps you are right. and life is worth
living after ALL"
Happy tears had sprung to Dianas
dark eyes. and, seeing them. Roddys
arm stole round her waist. and he drew
her head to his shoulder and lightly
touched its auburn locks with his lips.
You are satisfied now. little woman.
that Lille has met her real hero at
lsstf"
She looked up In his laughing eyes
with q tender smile, for she knew he
was thinking of a time when she be-
Iieved Lille to be his own only love,
and she answered with contrite sweet
ness:
"Ah. Roddy. how good God is. II we
would only trust Him to shape our
lives az He knows best!"
Tho silence Of a deep content fell
upon them. and by and by they strolled
out to where the great chalk cliffs
rose in dazzling whiteness up from the
sea into the blue sky. over which the
silvery stars Of night were coming out
one by one, twinkling like tiny globes
Of hre.
Behind them reared the rugged
stretch of underclifI. down the wooded
precipice of which the murmuring
stream meandered from village to
shore, and by whose side ran series
of gigantic steps-a mighty precipice
that savored almost of Alpine sub
Unity.
The lovers-for they were lovers
still-stood hand-in-hand and drank
In the beauty Of 1t all with that rapture
which only comes when viewing some
scene in the presence of one we love.
Even Gadie. lovely Gadie. with its
silvery. shining waters was forgotten.
They were here together. and 1t was
the paradise Of the world.
Yet ever and anon. a. they gazed out |,
on the deep ocean. the thoughts Of
each would turn to Don; and once
Diana spoke, with a wistful little break |
In her voice.
Surely. Roddy. you will forgive and
forget the past now. and Lille will
bring him back to US once more?"
"Ah, surely. for
NY ladye fair can rule my soul.
And every thought and deed control"
Roddy quoted gaily. Then. with tender
passion. he clasped the hand he held
gtiIl tighter and smoke more grayely |