A TRIP TO THE ISLE OF MAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2534, 6 October 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

A TRIP TO THE ISLE OF MAN.

CHAPTER IV. (continued.)

WV. went to our room and sat there, he still talking, and, I believe, criticising th» sermon, though I was too much occupied with my own thoughts to remember now what he said about it. At ten o'clock we went 011 to the landing to wish the girls good night, in doing which (much, I think, to Sarah's astonishment), I put my arm round her sister's neck, and kissed her. I don't know that there is now much more to tell. Tho days passed on; we went out rowing aud fishing, and upon some occasions took our bath in a small bay of deep water, undressing in the boat, which we anchored the while. We went one day to Castletown, but I remember very little about the place, though I think the reading of "Peverilof the Peek " a short time before gave the place some interest for me at the time. X passed as much time as I could (without incurring the suspicion of the old folks) in the shop, talking and looking at Bella. We were compelled to leave on Friday, as there was 110 boat on Saturday, and so, on Thursday evening, at ten o'clock, came the real parting, for I knew that the next morning, though I might see Bella, I should not be able to do more than press her hand when I said good-bye. I drew her iuto the sitting room, leaving Walter and Sarah on the landing, and she gave me, what I had begged her to give—a lock of her golden hair. In return, I gave her a ring that I had bought, a trumpery affair, but as good as the finances would allow of. I renewed niy promise to coiuo buck next Bummer, and then camo the parting kiss. There Wore tears in her eyes, and my own were not dry. I could both hear and .feel her sobs, as I held her in my arms. How different the feeling produced now, by the coutact'of our lips, to what it had been a few days before, when they met for the first time; then tho sensation had been one of pure delight; and now my oup of misery seemed full. It appeared so cruel of fate to force me to part from one I had learned to love so well. Tiiat night, Walter refrained from jokes and chaff. I think he was a little sorry at the thought of going himself. We soon went to bed, though sleep for me was out of the question. I lay tossing from side to side, shedding bitter tears, and wishing that the next year could be blotted from my existence. Then I would fancy that the time had gone by, and I pictured to myself the delight I should feel at seeiug her again, aud promised myself that 1 would tell the father and mother that I had loved their daughter for a whole year, and enter into a more formal compact with them, as well as with Bella ; then, too, I should have to tell my own parents; and so I lay, wide awake, but dreaming, whilst ever and anon the thought of the preseut aud

the hour of parting brought back my misery and tears. I fell asleep as daylight peeped into the room, ami for an hour or two was oblivious to everything. Walter woke ine at last and I got up feeling rather refreshed and as though I should never muster sufficient courage to f;.ce the final farewell ; but time waits for no one, ami the minutes sped on heedless of the pain they brought. I m.ule a faint; show of eating breakfast, hun'idly bundled my things into my carpet hag, whilst Walter settled with our landlady, and then I followed him downstairs, to look for the last time into the eyes of the girl, who had, at onee, made me so happy and so miserable. I said good-bye as bravely as I could to the mother and Sarah, and then stretched out my hand to BelJa. Slie took it, and for a brief moment our hands were .clasped together, and the touch caused, I believe, mingled feelings of pleasure and of pain. I could see that she hail' been weeping ; and then the tears that I vainly tried to keep back rose to my own eyes, and made her face indistinct. I said good-bye, aud tried to add that I should come back next summer, but a choaking sensation in the throat prevented the utterance of words, and so I passed from her presence never to look upon her face again. I wrote to her, as I had promised, almost immediately after iny return home, and received a short note in reply. The letter was written in a very school girl hand, not very correctly spelt, and the composition but indifferent, but still I prized it, as it assured me that I was not forgotten. I wrote again, aud after a longer interval received a reply I think I got four letters altogether, and then I wrote, and waited in vain for an answer. Had the mother seen any of my letters, and put a stop to the correspondence ? 1 could not tell, lmt I heard from her no more; and, as Walter had predicted, my grief grew less, and the golden-haired vision became gradually fainter and fainter ; though never wholly forgotten. Some eight or nine months afterwards I sent the following lines to her correct address, but never received any acknowledgment that they had been received : — I have not fnrgotten then dearest, believe inc, .S till, still must I think, though it be but to mouin, A lid memory recalls those bright days, but to grieve mo li cc.iusc they arc past, never more to return. J£ ve.i now, though far distant, my fancy a'l glmvinir L infers o'er a bright vision of happiness past, 1. eavinir alas ! but the sorrow of knowing All O'.lr drejirs Hoot away, and like mine fly, too last. My next trip was to Paris. C. Casky. Titk End.