The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1903-10-29

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moon shining u light r. cast lights
and shadows over everything, and
make the world glorious would Is an
ideal dream IL Val was there.
Val and himself, wandering through
tho old Italian towns. q going to tho
opera In Paris. or crosstng the ocean,
or even strolling out to ut on thesrocks
OF the breakwater and watch the play
OF the moonbeams on the water!
wal and himself! It would b
Hsaven!" Harold thought.
Then an immense wearihsss seised
him ct the recollection of the writer
Of that letter who. was waiting for
him II Paris, and whose elaborate
troussean would soon 7be completed.
The plan sketched out, he remem-
bored. was brilliant wedding in the
fashionable Protestant church In PARIS.
then winter In New York, then-she
declared she would map ont their lives;
he need not undertake the tas. Ne
Harold again smiled Erimly, ana
wondered how It had happened, by
what awful catastrophe had; he ever
believed himself In love With Frances
Cameron!
Cold as an iceberg, and some thought.
beautiful, obstinate, and Harold felt
very sure also vindictive and cruel,
How was 1t he had let himself tall into
the tolls?
It occurred to him, and . flush
mounted to his face ut the thought.
that she had skillfully led him on.
What now? She was waiting for.
him, the wedding was to take place
shortly. and-her trousseau was nearly
ready.
Harold threw aside his cigarette and
sat moodily looking out ut the sea,
and . determination grew mn within
him which made his pulses beat.
As q plain matter Of honesty he
would tell her the truth. Far moro
honest not to marry q woman while
every thought and heartbeat is for
another than to hold to an engagement
because the day for the marriage Is
set and the brides trousseau made. y
He would not write, but he would
take the next steamer and run over
and tell her. She would release him. ID.
Then later Val would listen to him
Val. who was the embodiment Of all
that was lovely and perfect on earth!
II kept you waiting an. abominally
long time;~do excuse me. I had . let
ter to write. But we have time enough
for last stroll on the beach," Val
said, coming up to him, while twisting
some flimsy lace around her throat and
over her magnificent hair.
Red? It was the most beautiful hair
Harold had ever seen.
ITO whom were you writing?" he
asked gayly. ''It must have been q
volume. I've been waiting for you two
hours at least"
Harold fingered while helping her to
bring the folds Of the fimsy sweet
scented gauze closer around throat
and shoulders Of rarest perfection.
''Who?" Val said, with slight pause
and embarrassed laugh. ..Why, to
James Anterior, Of course. You know
or perhaps you don't know-that I
am engaged to him. He's coming down
shortly, and I am to leave aunt this
fall. What . pity you are going
abroad! would love to have you stay.
Jim would like you 50 much, I know.
But Of course Miss Cameron Is dying
to see you.
Come. Let US have one more pleas
ant chat and stroll by the, sad sea
waves before you go. What an ex-
quisite night! And how quickly the
summer has flown! Do you know,
Harold, you have made It very, very
delightful for me- -
: Val turned, and looking ct Harold
little wistfully out Of her big honest
gray eyes, placed her hand in his.
Slowly Harold raised 1t to his lips.
The last days of summer sometimes
hold shattered hopes and broken hearts
as we'll as scattered and dying rose
leaves.-N. Q. Times Democrat. CIV