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The Gatepost

The Gatepost image
Parent Issue
Day
25
Month
June
Year
1875
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Whether it was fato or tbftt gate.post which wan responsible Boyal France was never ablo to dooide. It had nut been demonstrated to a certaiuty that tho young gentleman was unable to stand upright at that stage of his exvtenoe, but this madb is stare, that he veryseldom did ifcwhen uuy object which affórded leaniug room was at hand. Grcgory and Morton liad just gono by with th'eir fishiug-rods, calling for hiin to join thom, but the gatopost was shftded over by a drooping elm, and Mr. France hadbraced ono shoulderagainst it while he loungcd there in complete idleuoss, looking away with a rather tired expression aoross the sunlit landscape. The ti-outbrook nut through tho shadeless meatlows, and was a good half-mile distant, either of which reasons alone would have been sumciont to account for his refusal. Do not understand that the tired expression was the result of any great task in jwogress or achieved. It was only an imíieation of the state of boredom which had long been hir normal oondition. It is not the best of sigus wlien a man is supremely indolont at four-andtwentjr, and this Iloyal France was. That he preferred to saunter mther than to walk, to lean rather thim to stand uuicpendently, to lounge rather than oecupy liimsclf in any deflnite way, all leut him a sybaritic exterior which gave little hint to the capability for a steadfast purpose hidden uiiderneath, but tho capability vraa there nevertheless. Af ter aU, it must have been the post, lor it was mat, anu umi aioue, which chained him to the spot. The straw hate and white liucn of liis friends liad disappeared iïom view, tho sound of the piano and Miss Lowrie's voice floating out through the window assured liim - "I aui waiting, love, for thoo - " when the flutter of a woman's summery garmonts appeared in the path, and oame sweeping down it ciose boside him. Mr. France put out a hand and swung the gate wido open without as much as a glance at tho shape - womcn had ceased to be an object of curiosity to him - but this one halted abruptiy as she carne abreast of him. Tbere was a reason for it, very trivial, but wc all know that a trifle beforo this lias been the pivot on which many a man's destiny has turned. The silk fringe of her sash had caught upon his button. "I beg pardon," she said, and a little dimpled hand was put out to dctach it. Very ordinary words, but the clear, vibrant timbre of the voice struck him. He looked at her then, and the picture, as he saw her flrst in the golden afternoon light, was one that remained with him through all his after life. He saw a shape - tall, supple, youthful- a olear, dusk face, a ehildlike rosy mouth, two big, dark, velvety eyes - wonderful eyes, into whose gold-brown depths he looked for one instant, and all-unconsciously lost his heart on the spot to the owner. Sho jiassed on, and suddenly the gatepost lost its charm. Miss Lowrie had lef t tho piano and was standing by the ncarest window as be turued and sauntered in. " ïako care that you arcn't worse ensnaredhereafter," alie warnedhim "Who is sho - one of the angels we intertain uuawares?" " An angel - all but the wings." There was a dry infloction to Miss Lowrio's tone. ' ' Shc is Miss Dunbar- Meta Dunbar. She only came to-day." " And she is to stay ?" " She is to stiiy. Apropos of thflt, did I hear Morton say this morniug you think of leaving us?" "An incorrect statement if yon did," answered Franco, oareleaajy. "I mentioned to him that Únele Phil had written for me, but it will probably be ome time yet before I exclaim with Teil in relation to my nativo State - ' ïe crags and peaks, I am with you once again!' I am not prepared to give up the delights of the vale yet." "You are Bure it is the vale and not Miss Dnabirl" asked Miss Lowrii, a trillo audaciously. If the audacity covarecl a pang, he did not guess it, for, to bis credit bo it said, egotism was not one of Fraooe'a faults. 11! replied lightly, nd sauntered away thinking - "Site doesn't liko Miss Ennbar, but hen what woman ever does like another irettier Uian herself?" He was earlv in the parlor that na]t ind engaged in a conversation with one of those married hulies vhose._ rango of acquaintance and accommodating spirit aoth are nnlimited, vrhüe he watched for ;he young lady who liad suddenly becorne j m object of interest to liini. Tho buaz whicli announoed her when sho camc I seeraod to indícate tlmt she was an objoct of universal interest. "Do you kiiow her?" aaked Mrn. BïftdiBOn. " Ijdvc'Iv, i kIic nut?" "I have nt the pksasmre, and yet I tliought I knew evcry onc horc or expected." " O, but thia is easily accounted for - she was nnt of the elêct. I mean Rhe is never expeoted aaywhere." Boyal Looketl puzzled and hia friend hastened to explaui. "Ska lias an old curmudgeon of a father wlio is as ehfti7 of her ftad keep Lor as close as ever beauty waa kept immnredin hor nwüo. Tli differenoe is that IIota is wide awake and rebels sometimes. It is duo to that faot slio is bese uow, but you may be sure she will iiot bo left very long unguarded. " "You are nght, she is lovely," said Franco as ho gazed. " Will you present me?" "Whfttl uuder the enemy's fire? BHked Mvs. Madison, laughingly. "Pon't you hco how jenlously Miss Lowrie iswatching? There, my deur boy, don't poso for injured innoceneo ; I acquit you vhcro she is concorned, however she herself may bo üiclined to view the matter. She had a gnulgo against rny favorito bef ore this too." " Meaning Miss Dunbar ?" " Exactly, and it was all on account of Morton vonder. Miss Lowrie tkought she IruI secured him, but Metix oame apon the tapis and spoiled the game for her. I admit I was rejoioed, though it was a little hard on Morton ; he was thoroughly in earnest for tho only time in his life I supposo." "And he failed to conquer? Something ncw in his experienco that." Mr. Franco glancod acrosg at tho good-looking iellow who was well known as a masoulmoflirt. " He failod, of oonrse, as cvery ouo munt. That is an onderstood thing. If you are sure you aro to bc trusted - " "As I surcly am if my presontation dependa apon it." He had a bow and a smile and half a ! dozen words from Miss Duubar alter ! that. Bhe wore gold-colored tulle with ■ a foam of lace, from midst of whieh her white ghoulders gleamed, a lino of milky pearls about her throat, another tongled in the bronze huir massed high upoii her heiul. Her rarely perfect face, with clioeks Hliglitly ftushed and oyes shining like black diamondfl in that blaze of light, was bofore him yot af ter hor palpable presenee wasromovod. Hor face min gled in bis dreams that night, and was in the tirst recollectiou which came to him with hia morning's awaking. And it was the first sight which met him when ho went below. She wan standing upon the piazza as he appeared in the doorway, a pink wrapper with sweeping watteaw folds surrounding her liko a rosy cloud, great fragrant waterhlics mingled with soine green foliage filling hor arnis. " Good morning, Miss Dunbar," poko Mr. Franco as her glance was lifted to him. " Yon will put n.s all out of couutenanco if snch early rising is your usual prsotioe." " It stirely shall be whilo I am loft to ! enjoy my liberty in my own way. Pos! sibly yon may not know what a novolty ! that is to me! I had another incentive i this morning in my beauties here. My iirnt aet af tor arriving was to hirc a youth of the, rising generation to scour tho i country aften these darlings for me. How exquisit-e thoy are !" Her face went down over the odorous maas, and Mr. Franoe, with appreciated j gaze drinking in tho whole fair picture, mnrmnred : "13xqui?ite, indeed! I hopo yon ! haven't negotiatcd vith that youth for 1 the soason, Miss Dunbar. Permit me the pleusure of supT)lying auch a daily offering horeaftor." " You will find it a trouble, I fear. If 1 have a weakness for anything, it is for water-lilies. I am never strong enough to resist thcm." Miss Dunbar's room was not without tlie creamy blossoms after that while tlioy lasted, and tliis beginnipg was followed apace by sucli a growing friendsliip, tlmt others lookiug on grew conoernéd for tlie rcsult. Mrs. Madison, with a real interest in the girl, and a real wish for her welfare, interposed first. " If it wero only anordinary flirtation, Meta, I shouldn't thiuk of interfering," slie said, with a very disturbed spirit. "I like lioyal Franoe, and I think I know him as well as any one does. He ia not like the men you have thrown over befoie this ; if ho is not already heart and soul in earnost, he will be soon, and a disappointment then oould uot help blighting all his life. You aren't suoh a wretcli as to do that for him 1" "Well," said Miss Dunbar, vcry coolly, " have you anythíng moro to Hay? I prefer having all sides of the question." There was a certain sort of repressed deiiance in her face which sent a misgiving like a shock into the other's mand. "What do you mean by it, Meta? Your father wöuld nevcr consent, and thcro is Ellerby whom he has chosen - you ncver would dare to dcl'y him I" "Wouldn't I?" asked Miss Dunbar, dreamily. "You know you wouldn't, and, be sides- O, dear me ! Don't hold me reBponsible if you get into tronble througl this, Meta. I can't oonntenajwfi what I am sure your father will disapprove. " Morton also, who was France's friend undertook to caution him. "It won't do, old fellow, take my word for it. Meta horself is all any mal could vish for ; l've got over my one ime weakness in that quartor, so don t ,hink I speak through any personal obeot. I know Dunbar poro if yon don't, nul I teil you a haughtier or harder old ïint ncver existcd. He's made liis dioico, and if she died for lack of it he'd aevcr forgive her once she di.soboycd liim. Besides, there's your own prospecta, Royal. Tliat turóle whose hcirixpectant you are isn't the most iellftble Kiistomcr on tlio faco of the carth. You've miffed him ilready by giving n lieod to his nnmetous summonses, ;unl Ikí's íih like to turn on you au not. It isn't past Misa Lowrie to put him up to it, and I observed slic toqk good caro to post herself in your Uïairs bofore she lcft hore." " I shouldn't like to credit any woman with Buoh a mischievous intent, Morton. " "I hopo yon won't be obliged to, that's all! But don't Imild upon any meanness being beyood a jealous and malignant woman. Yor the rest, my dear boy, there'B tto onc wishes you more good in the world than I do." "Thank yon Morton, hcartily; 1 im Bure of that." "France made light of one part of lus -wiiminK, thnt regarding Miss ñé, dismissed it with scarcely a second ihought. She had left tho place a week before, as tho rosult proved, on vengeful thoughts intent. A few more days passed íluring wliicli thosc two recognized now as lovers by dl in tho house tasted the sweete fotutd in thnt fleetíng time, and tben c:inic end. '.riuy met one evening juut aH the silvery snmmer dusk waa cloeirig dowu. Each wore a gravo and troubled look; ■i little oou.straint which had not been there beíoro was iu their mmmer. " Will yoti come with me tot a row upon the river, Meta?" he asked. " It may be our líift oue. I have bad newg toteS yon." "An'dlyou. Parhaps í shotild ao) cali it bad' news, but papa M coming tomorrow. It will be the last. " " Unless"- asid Royal, and miO no more imtil the rivor had beu roiu-hed, and thcy were afloat in the littlo ckiff wliich thej fouiulnt tho landing. In that '"dim, religious light," iu the quiet of that hour, tho angel of pcaoe seemed ie baa dlóppad hor mautle over tha earth. The stiL'ness was unbroken save by tho voico of insecto, the ripple of the mirrent, the soft clip of tho oars. Stars hegan to twinklo faintly in the eveniug sky, and tho shore-line grew iiidistínot in the distanee. Thon lloyal drew in bis oais and let tho boat drift with the tido. "I havo had a lottor froni Unole Phil,"he sbM, veiy qiii(!tly. " Ho has married Miss Lowrio, and I am disinheritod." " For me - Oh, Boyal ! and that is her revengo!" , Tho exclamation broko from her unthinkingly, then all over her face spread a (juick, bwrning ilush. lf for her his own words had nover yet told her so, but now reserve or conccalment wero things of the past. " If it were for you, Meta! Oh, my darhng ! I Iofb you so ! You knew it, you must havo known it, but aftor that oame I neyer thought to teil you so in words. Forgive me if I pain you by doing it uow whon what uiight llave been never can be. Had it been diflerent, could I offer yon fortune, as I once hoped " - his voiee broke, and he cut short his words suddenly. She only looked at him, snch a wistfnl look, i't almost shook his reeoluipn. H(i know if ho had only Kaid th! word " Como," she would go with him, ingly, gladly, then, but the ntubborn j pnde inherent in him roso. lie eoulcl havo died as ciisily as tempt her to the í lot of poverty and' hardship lio alono had to offer then. "loan only sav God bless you, and good-by, now, Meta. I shall pray liciivcn' for your happiuess always." " My liappinesn- oli, Koyal!" ttUIUë would uot hear either tho reproaeh or tlio appeal in that cry. He unshippcd lii.s oai-H agaiu ; but in changing Lia position befere lic fcflok a single stroke, lie gavo a sudden start. It was followed by tlio gurgling Homid of water welling up into the boat. He turned lus face toward her; the ealmness of intense excitement was in his voice. " There was a rotten plank - my foot went throngh, as fchough it had been so muoh paper. Try nit to be frightened. Thore ia no possibility of keeping tho skiff afloat, but 1 eau swim ashore witTi yon, I think. Fw heaven's sake, don't lose yonr presence of mind now, Meta." He was pulling oil' coat aud lioota as he spoke. In moments of extreme danI ger, tho right thing to be doue will of ten i flash through the mind instantanoouflly; o now he haddivestod himself of snper il nous clothing and wrenched one oar loose from the row-lock in less time than it takes to teil. The otlier reBtsted his eflbrt, and there was not one second to lose. The shore was a fnll quarter mile or more away - alone, he could reajh it; with hor- " You caunot, Koyal," slio said, stilly. "Don't mind me; go, you eau s&vo yourself." "Meta!" "Thenwewill die together. I love you, Koyal; death is less cruel thanyou 'would have been, it will not part UB.' A light-like inspiratiou was in her face, she put her arma about his nee!. ben tho water closed ovor tlio suiKuig wilt and only liis strength aud tlmt littlo asnlflcient Spar sepafated thom from ca tb. How it was dono Koyal Franco never ould have told, ha could never thiuk of ,he ago of agony embraoed in tliat time ifterward without a slmddor. Swimming, supporting her, saringliisstrcngth all lio miglit, tho control she kept over ïftrsclf aña tho implicit obedience sho avo to liis directions aidiug him, the shoro wiwt reached at last. Aftcr tliat thorc could bo 110 quostimi f parting bfetweèh them. "Papii wil] never consent," said Mefa), " but I owo him no duty. If you will take me, Boyal, gladly and happify I will je your wife." Long afterward Eoyal was wont to say - ' ' Heaven blesa the gato-post ! But for it and tho erïötratiter I should hare gone in answer to Uncle Pliil'8 summon and so have MÉséeÖ my wife."

Article

Subjects
Old News
Michigan Argus