New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-07-23

VIII you listen 10 me, ana tcdcu me once
| again-teach me what to do I"
She paused for few moments. Walter
leaning against the table, looked down upon
her in establishment
''Scot, if / have learned that | have made
a great, great mistake in thinking that
loved your brother more than-any one
else. isn't it best and kindest to tell him Sc
now, before it is too late p
Scot did not answer her, and she repeated
the question, her beautiful eyes childlike in
their pleading.
| would it be right to tell him so Scot,
or to go on in the falsehood ~
Right to tell him So" answered Scot. in
tones low and quiet.
"Then, Walter" she said, raising her face
| to him as it flushed and paled rapidly, Il
will tell you of my mistake now, before
| your brother and my own. There were
once two gifts of love within my reach;
and the one which my eager, ignorant hand
grasped, because it seemed most bright
and winning to my dazzled eye, was not the
one which could satisfy my heart. / did
not understand either then; l was as power
less to feel the deep selffOrgetfulness OF the
one as the shallow selfishness of the other;
but now that | know my own heart, Wal
ter, l can not hide it's disappointment.
Some day myself shall be old and suffer
ing, oerhaps-fanciful, too, dare say; those
who give much love, to win but little in re-
turn, often are-and | should not like to
feel that when summoned you to my dying
bed you would not heed the summons. /
should not like all through my life to pour
out wealth of love on one who could
laugh at me for the exacting intensity of
the gilt. And so | am very very grateful
that have read this in my heart before it
was too late"
This is nonsense, Pennie," interrupted
Walter. with forced smile. Come and let
me explain to YOU"
81 You have done So Penne said, still
with her hand on Scots chair and still with
her eyes clear and undrooping. You have
explained it all to me during the last few
weeks. Now it is my turn and | am trying
70 do so; only it seems as if | could not say
much even now of what is in my own heart.
Your mother had faithful, careful nurse.
Walter. in all her illness, and by him no
duty was neglected, no pleasure sought
Charlie, did Scot seek his own pleasure; did
he fail in any one of his duties through all
the time that Walter was securing his own
pleasure ceaselessly and failing in his one
chief duty! ;"
Not one" she repeated, the little hand
tight on his chair, but her face never turned
to Scot. Not one. Did any remembrance
of this pain weaken his hand or chill his
heart Did it, Charlie!''
Never | said again, looking for a mo-
ment into Walters vexed and moody face
Never" she repeated. Did any one
thought of himself make him shrink from
his duty to you, Charlie, because | made it
better TO him or from his duty to his
mother, because she blamed him ALWAYS
that her own idolized son had left her to die
alone r.
Not one"
walter, the love of such a heart is
prize to be grateful for through all years;
and through all years will be grateful that
once this prize was mine. Scot, dear Scot,
You have taught me all the little that l
know; teach me what to do now that nv
heart is hungering YEARLY for such a love
as that from which | turned away not long
ago"
Not word did Scot answer, while his
face was hidden in his hands
Il am waiting for your answer, Scot
The hand that had been on his chair
lOOsened its hold; the little standing figure
slipped down, and kneeled upon the floor
beside him; and both hands were laid upon
the tremulous white fingers, pressed so
tightly in his hair.
Look Scot how / am waiting for your
answer" she breathed. II have never been
obedient to you before, much as YOU have
taught me; but | am waiting TO obey you
now
w nat d lace IL was IHdU l6T 16DUle IOucl
uncovered. | could hardly bear to look
upon it in its wondering bewildered ioy.
for it told so plainly of the anguish that had
been lived through. Pennies low cry burst
lnvoluntarily from her shaking lips when
she saw it.
80, Scot, forgive me for it all ~
With the angry scarlet burning in his face
Walter left the room. have not seen him
since. He writes TO me Occasionally-short, !
gay, selfish letters; but month after month |
ne delays his coming home, and the house !
a I Easter Hill remains without its master
For some time Scot lived there alone, set
ling Walters affairs for him; and still COM
ng to me for our old morning studies: but |
Scot has won his home now. YESTERDAY |
ne was chosen headmaster of the Easter |
wood Grammar School; and it is the young !
,st headmaster which had been elected for a |
century they say. Tonight we are expect |
ng him back from Cambridge, and Pennie
s standing at the window W atching for him, |
he evening sunshine lingering on her bright |
lead, and another resttul, happy sunshine
Il her eyes. Earnestly do l know that the
estive little pupil who used to give me so
much pain has given him deeper and more
love than mine