The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-12-05

but she conquered 1t brayely. Yet she was
but woman, with woman s weak, defense.
less heart, and sometimes 1t ached with a
keen. sharp pain when she saw Grace drive
away by Captain Revero's side, in tho low
easy.going carriage in which he passed hours
Of every day on the beach.
In one of these drives Captain Revere sur.
prised his companion by saying, with quiv'
er Of pain in his voice.
Grace, II were not the miserable cripple
that am, should ask you to love me but
l should not do It without telling you how
dear once held your cousin Ethel
Grace Darricott fairly trembled. She had
never dreamed Of this She had grown 50
intimate with him only for Ethel's sake, in
order that time might come when she could
honorably and delicately let him know the
state of her cousins heart. OF supplanting
that cousin she had never dreamed. And
yet-poor human nature-she was tempted
for Just one sorrowful moment. Howard Re-
we're had long seemed to her the embodiment
Of her noblest conception Of manhood. Then
resolutely she put from her the cup she had
no right to taste, and saved the sweet draught
for another. Her voice, when she spoke, was
as calm as il she had passed through no per.
ilous crisis of emotion.
you know women very slightly, Captain
Revere, IL you do not know that one who low
ed you would love you all the better. esteem
it all the more an honor to be your wife, be-
cause of what the whole country would rec-
ognize as badge of glory. But, pardon me,
think you ought not to use the past tense
about your love for Ethel. I can not believe
that It is dead, any more than is ltr love for
you.'
Ethel! Her love for me You do not
mean that she ever loved me?'
Ilcspokc with changed manner, Wild
glad eagerness, which would have augured
poorly for Grace's hopes of happiness with
him had she been mad enough to cherish any.
Grace smiled-most women can when heart
ache lies underneath.
Yes. lam sure. She would not like 1t per-
haps at present she would not forgive 1t. II
she dreamed that had let you know; but |
can not think two lives ought to be sacrificed
to the delicate seruples of maidcnly PRIDE
Ethel does love you. She loved you oil the
time
And yet,' he said with puzzled tone, as
ifit all seemed a mystery beyond his solving,
'she certainly refused me-
That was because OF some Quixotic mo-
tions of hers. She thought then that you
were an idler in the yineyard-a man living
witbouta purpose, and she hesitated to ally
her life with yours lest both might be fail
ure. Itwas only that she did not quite un-
derstand you then. When you went to the
war she began to see you in new light. 1t
you had asked her the came question that
day she would not have said no.
Captain Revere turned face over which
the dawn of u new day had broken to his
companion.
Il can not thank you fltly,' hosaid. You
knew me better than knew myself when
you told me my love for Ethel was not dead.
And vet thought I had conquered it. |
took her so fully to her word that night. II
she did not care for me then, thought she
never would-l have never cherished any
shadow of hope since
1t was not quite sunset when they reached
home. Ethel was in the yard, just returned
from walk.
Come with me and see the sunset, will
you not? Captain Revere asked in tone
which seemed to take her compliance for
granted. She was tempted to say NO out
of sheer pcrverseness but she reflected that
she should be furnishing herself as we'll as
him.
She stepped into the low carriage by his
side and they rolled edaway. Soon hegave her
the reins-ho was tired of driving, he said
Leaning back, as IL enjoying the luxurious
ease of his position, the swift motion, the
sunset goldenly glorious. he was silent for
time. After while he began talking to
her-talking as he had never talked before
lamentipg tho loss of his arm because OF the
idle, aimless life to which it would compel
him. He told her how alone in the world he
was-Fate had taken his arm, his power OF
usefulness. and given himno compensation
no wife, no child, no love true and tender
enough to conquer all tho ills OF life. 1t was
hard.
His words, his bitter, despairing mood, 50
unlike himself, touched her to the hearts
core. She turned her fearful eyes to his sad
face. She forgot the conviction she had be-
gun of late to entertain that he loved her
cousin-forgot pride and womanly scruples-
forgot herself, and thought only OF comfort.
ing him.
Would the heart you once asked for be
any compensation ? she whispered, in tones
50 low that he could scarcely hear them.
His face kindled.
"Ethel. why do you askf Itwould make
life rich beyond asking or hoping. 1t would
pay me oil lost ten thousand fold"
"Thsn will tell you, Howard; loved