Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 April 1889 — FOUR LIVES BRIGHTENED [ARTICLE]

FOUR LIVES BRIGHTENED

I was in love with Alice Tracy, and it was said that she had been engaged to Hugh Morton for nrn hs. 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 flush dyed her cheek. “Did you ever see a lovelier view thaa yonder pasture?” said the soft voice of Nora Tracy, Agnes’ younger sister at my side. "It is indeed, lovely,”! 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 Agnes 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 tn on my disturbed thoughts. “Agnes told me that she had never been so happy in her life as when out the other night in that awful storm with you. But then Agnes is so brave and loves things which frghten and appall me.” “My heart gave a great bonnd of joy Did Agnes love me? The sun sank, like a great ball of fire, below the western sky, 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! Agnes! ” I began. But her soft voice interrupted me: “Nay, let me tell you first that you are unjust and unkind 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? I\ow ’’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 noth ing to me but a friend.” Was I dreaming? I took her in my arms and pressed a passionate kiss upon her lips. “Agnes, my darling, I can scarcely believe my own hanpiness! And you really love me and will be my wife?’’ The smiling ‘ ‘yes” had scarcely left hst lips when Hugh Morton stood before us. “Allow me to present to you my affianced wife/’ I said as coolly as I could speak. His face was ghastly in the moonlight, and a bitter smile curved his lips. Then he turned and walked away. This was two years ago. Agnes hits been my wife for eighteen months, and little Nora is now Hugh 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.