The Banner-Democrat., 1901-02-23
turned, with her formal "good-by''
and left him.


careless of the wound she had made,
Indifferent to his fate. q
But Mabel Leigh was paying dearly t
for Her words. On her knees, IN the 1
room where she had so cruelty dis q
missed him, she wrung her hands and I
went bitter tears. The flush OF anger I
was gone. and In its stead sense or |
the wrong she had done, and the sor-
row she must endure. For MaDei
knew that Ronald Norton loved her. |
and that she loved him. And now ali
was at IN end.
Her pride would not suffer her TO
recall him; his would not allow MIN
to ask 1t. They had suddenly drifted
apart-would the wave of time ever
bring them together againS
Mabel bore her burden for few
days until 1t began to tell upon her
health and spirits. Her pale cheeks
and heavy eyes revealed that some
thing was wrong.
0What Is the matter with you,
Mabel 2" asked Eta Styles, dropping IN
one day. "You are but the ghost OF
your former SELF"
"Oh, ] don't know" answered Mabel,
as carelessly as she could, Il only |
need a change, / suppose"
"Change? Well, suppose you go with
US to Europe"
"EuropeY' A sudden Joy shot
through Mabel's heart She had been
longing and planning to get away, as
far away as possible, from the spot
which had grown uncomfortable to her.
0How soon are you goingT' she ask
ed.
"In next Saturdays steamer"
T will CO."
"Oh. that is too goodv' cried Eta,
Swinging ND and embracing her. Il
coaxed mother all could to go with
us but she is too timid. Father
has crossed the ocean so many times,
he will make a splendid escort, and
YOU will be such delightful company
for me-"
Mabel smiled derisively. Sorry COM
pany she would prove for Eta Syies'
and painful thoughts crowded upon
her as the needless girl ratified on.
The day on which they sailed was
!. cloudy and gloomy-in fit keeping
= with Mabel's spirits. She had hoped
: to the last that Ronald Norton would
come to her and say, "Stay!' but she
had never seen nor heard from him
q since that fatal night-maybe she
!. never would again. and scalding tears
3 dropped from her eyes at the thought
.. She had borne up wonderfully since
n deciding to go abroad, for the relier o.
n getting out of sight Of all eyes, ant
giving way to her grief, was what Sh'
W lived for.
* Their party had come early on board
,e and retired at once to their state
ne rooms so that Mabel was alone.
Is Alone she felt, separated from ne
home and friends, every moment bear
II, ing her further and further away froI
d. her country and-Ronald!
nd She lay listening to the creaking an
ng aroaning Of the ship, the hustle an
q strange noises which never cease upo
Dr. a voyage, and never thought OF thel
at all. Her heart and brain were nile
with but one image, and she at la
e. fell asleep with tears for him wet upe
a her cheeks.
ng Among the last of the passenge
'es who came aboard the vessel was
as gentleman with a grave. handson
face and reserved air, which gave
ore sort of fascinating melancholy to hll
lor and although perfectly courteous,
nts kept aloof from all, seeming to pref
leu company. Hour after hour he spe
ner gazing upon the foaming billows, I
le- matchless sunsets, the lovely moo
lights Of ocean.
~ . Poor Mabel and Eta were both &
prived of these enjoyments. Eta |
nd ing dreadfully seasick, and Mabel
80 worn and miserable to leave her roc
~. They had been out nearly a We
when Mr.. Styles insisted on Mab'
90. going on deck, declaring 1t a sha
80 that she should lose the pleasures
th. the trip, which was so nearly over
So Mabel summoned all
nno strength and went with him.
- It was a magnificent night. The
tho moon, glittering on the water, ana
limo flected back by each wave, tin
,,os, everything with silver.
Mabel was entranced. She took
Syles's arm and walked up and d!
.,,,.S once or twice, but her step was
1rro guild, and she grew weary.
80 Mr.. Styles proposed that she sh(
,ah sit awhile, so he prepared a seat
maid ner' anu "rappeu S,a
around her, but she shivered.
tend "Why, you haven't half enc
,.,n.. around you! It's always cool up ht
Hero he declared.
= :. And off went the kind soul for
, the other shawl.
,ors e Mabel waited alone, watching
make groups around.
,odv A gentleman, smoking cigar,
that been sitting some distance OH.
, sba threw 1t away, and arose as II I
And below.
r,ro- AS he passed Mabel he stopped
denly.
,+ She turned her face inquirin
,,sra- and Ronald Norton sprang toward
: FOR "Mabel! was all he said; bu
love-light which flashed over his
:. The and the thrill tnat shol ln,ousn
heart, In their passionate hand-'
Y had told the truth.
with Mabel could not utter que VIZ.
,nald. lay painting with tne glorious iiie
hiking had suddenly openeu lor nei'
chat, No weary hours now-no langu
watch. difference-but two nopie nearts'
!" she inr from each other, had been t
back to love and happiness
hange Mabel stayed abroad long enou
ed, he nrocure her bridal trousseau, but