Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 March 1889 — FOUR LIVES BRIGHTENED [ARTICLE]

FOUR LIVES BRIGHTENED

I was in love with Alice Tracy, and it was said that she bad been engaged to Hugh Morton for months. At this moment Hugh was bending over her, speaking in an earnest, impassioned manner that caused my heart to throb with jealous fury. She averted her face from his gaze, and as she did so her eyes caught mine. A vivid Hush dyed her cheek. “Did you ever see a lovelier view than yonder pasture?” said the soft voice of Nora Tracy, Agnes’ younger sister at my side. “It is indeed, lovely,” I responded, “and one which would arouse the soul of an artist to enthusiasm. ” A low laugh behind startled me,and the next moment the clear voice of Agnes spoke: “How refreshingly artistic you are, Mr. Hunter." 1 colored and bit my lips, and Hugh Morton, who had followed Aenes to where we stood, looking annoyed, also. “There are moments in life,” I replied, “when everything combines to stir in a man's soul a depth of feeling which he had never suspected that he possessed. ” Agnes made no reply, and Hugh Morton led her to the other end of the boat. Again Nora s little bird-like voice broke In on ray disturbed thoughts. “Agnes told me that she had neve* been so happv in her life as when out the other night in that awful storm with { r ou. But then Agnes is so brave and oves things which frighten and appall me.” “My heart gave a great bound of joy. Did Agnes love me? The sun sank, like a great ball of fire, below the western skv, and the bright stars peeped out, one by one, and were reflected in the shining water beneath, in throbbing, quivering brightness. The rest of the party were on the other end of the boat, enjoying the full beauty of the moonlight, and I was standing, leaning over the railing, in the shadow of the pilot house, when a soft, hesitating step caused me to turn. The dark eyes of Agnes Tracy met mine, and in the surprise and delight of the unexpected meeting I caught her and held her in close embrace. “Miss Tracy! Agnesi ” I began. But her soft voice interrupted me: “Nay, let me tell you first that you are unjust and unkina to accuse me of coquetry. I never knew until to-night that you loved me. How could I show or confess my love to you until you ha/ offered yours to me? Now ” and her sweet voice faltered a little—“l am not ashamed to tell you that I have always loved you, and that Hugh Morton is nothing to me but a friend. ” Was I dreaming? I took her inmyarfus and pressed a passionate kiss upon her lips. “Agnes, my darling, I can scarcely believe my own haopiness! And you really love me and will be my wife?” The smiling “yes” bad scarcely left het Ups when Hugh Morton stood before ust “Allow me to present to you my affianced wife,” I said as coolly as I could •peak. His face was ghastly in the moonlight, and a bitter smile curved his lips. Then he turned and walked av^y. This was two years ago. Agnes has been my wife for eighteen months, and little Nora is now 1! ugh Morton’s promised bride. He seems very happy of her confiding love, and lam very sure that she knows nothing of the mistake which changed four lives so completely, and drowned me with a happiness that must last as long as life.