Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1859-06-09


was this She lored Arthur Stone f.! loved
him better than life itself. A cry Of pain
went from her lips. ss the knowledge
slowly settled down upon her heart. But
what proof had she given him Of this -
What proof that she was any other than .
vain, selfish, unwomanly thing, None,
alas, none! Like any woman who is
conscious Of her power, she gloried in
hers over Arthur Stone. But how was he
to know that it was anything but the glory
Of 6ckle, heartless colsette, rather than
that of . strong, loving, true-hearted
woman, who makes her power golden
chain about the heart of the man she loves,
by which she draws him tenderly and
gently towards her? How, 0 how, was be
to know this !? The thought was agonizing
to he.
She resolved at last to 20 to him in the
morning and confess her fault, humbling
as it WAS. He should know, at least, that
she held his feelings too sacred to wound
them wsntonly. But in the morning she
was sick and leverish. scarcely able to lift
her head from the pillow. She could not
see Arthur that day. and 40 she must con.
tentedIy wait for the next. Against her
wishes DR.. Barker was summoned, who
croaked obviously Of fever which Was
hanging abou, her. She must be careful.
be very quiet, aud follow his directions.
he said, and he would come again in the
afternoon to learn how she was getting
along. He came in the afternoon. but at
an unlucky hour. Anna sat leaning back
in the rocking. chair, by the window. look.
ing eagerly up the street. But while he
prated learnedly at her side, he saw q
rapid red stain through the whiteness OF
her cheek. and an eager light break out
from the clear blue of her eyes. Arthur
Stone was passing by the house, and view.
ed with scornful curl Of the lip the
handsome equipage Of DR.. Barker. He
did not look beyond it, to the pale face
bent so earnestly towards him. but turned
his eyes coldly away, and walked haugh
tily down the street, while Anna sank back
into the softly cushioned chair.
The next morning she refused to remain
away from school another day. Arthur
Stone would say that she was cowardly,
that she feared q ferulipg, that she ab
sented herself purposely, because Of the
misunderstanding of Tuesday afternoon.
which she was too guilty to face again
She would 60 to school though she dropped
fainting on her way. She could not res,
until her weary mind was unburd dened Of
this heavy load. So she went. pale and
trembling, at an early hour, to the school
house.
slow he scorns me-how he hates me-"
she thought, as Mr.. Stone quietly raised
his eyes to her face, and bowed . silent
good morning as she entered the rovm.-
How could she ever face that stern, cold
gaze, and make her excuses for not keep
ing her appointment of the previous
morning?
II was too i'll to come out Yesterday
morning she said, in trembling voice,
"or l should not have broken my promise.
Will this morning do as well ?"
Mr.. Stone glanced keenly into her face.
The blanched cheeks, and white, quiver.
ing lips testified to the truth of what she
said.
"Are you able to be here now ?" be said
in tone of voice that had more of tender.
ness than aught else running through it,
Hardly. You can fer-ferule me, and
l will 60 home,' she said, while her cheeks
crimsoned with shame.
Mr.. Stone bit his lips to keep back
reply which rose involuntarily to them
Again was that tender white hand before
him, waiting meekly for the punishment,
now weak and trembling from illness. Did
she think him brute7 Quite evidently,
from her action.
"I-I-regret that / wounded your
feelings on Tuesday" she said, raising her
eyes to bis face. 81 am thoughtless, l
hope not heartless. viii you pardon me2'
The question was asked in low, quiver.
ing voice, half choked with tears.
Pardon you'll! Mr.. Stone repeated the
words slowly, in = clear emphatic tone.
us il too much to ask You will no,
refuse me--you would not refuse me il
you knew -
"Whst ?"
allow utterly miserable am. ! cannot
stay here-here's my hand-let me 70
home p
With quick, rapid movement, the
teacher grasped the little ieverish hand
that was outstretched to him, and covered
it over and over again with fervent, pas.
siouAte kisses.
Forgive you" he said, while bis fine
eyes grew deep and tender in their expires
sion, ''forgiye you, yes, Thousand times,
and then not be able to show you
millionth part Of the love which l bear Cor
you. Forgive-but I'll dare ask opre
than you dare hope, perhaps more than you
care to hope-that you will love me thu,
you will place yourself and this sinned
against, abused little hand in my keeping.