The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1873-09-24

{
tonic leaned back in his chair, his
handsome face very white and stern.
Shortly after both gentlemen left the
room.
The next day when DR.. Antonio
entered the breakfast-room the girls
were discussing a croquet party; he
stationed himself beside Lydia and
they fell into conversation, while
Rosalind and her father watched
them very earnestly.
She had half fallen into the habit
of doing this lately; watching them
with sorrowful perplexity in her gray
ewes. DIR. Antonio did not talk much
to his young hostess but he would
watch her while she talked with 9th
ers. his eyes softening strangely and
then changing quickly as they met
her eyes. After he and Mr.. Arnold
left the house that morning Lydia
began abruptly, Il like that man and
yet | dread being near him. Poor
fellow. no woman would ever marry
him."
And yet-Lydia-" Rosalind's
voice sank into a whisper, ''I-think
he loves YOU"
Me, Goodness, | hope not. Dear
me, Rose, you do coniure up dread
ful things! Now if you have any
thing else of that stamp TO say just
let me know and I'll stop up my
ears" she returned, pettishly, but
Bosalind said nothing more.
That afternoon Rosalipd. Lydia
and DIR. Antonio stood on the piazza
after the rest had started down to
the lam.
Il must go. Are you not coming,
Doctor? OF course you can't play
but YOU had better come look on.
Rosalind will follow suit. she is
heather and despises croquet. Ia
reroir. if You won't come" and nod
ding goodbye she ran down the
steps.
DIR. Antonio WINGED at her heed
less words. then said abruptly
"Do not let me detain YOU. Your
cousin is right cannot play. but
that must not keep You"
! Il am going to stay here with you
/ if you will let me, she said. quietly
seating herself on the step below
him. adding, This is my reward for
my days work, little quiet before
al those people come up" she sighed
u little wearily, and his eyes that had
. followed hers now came back TO her
face pityingIy, as he said hurriedly:
! Reward! You are not weak
enough to expect reward on this
earth, ! trust. You may sacrifice
yourself TO tie bitter end and at
that end no che will recognize the
sacrifice. The only time | struggled
to do a duty that God placed before
me duty and sacrifice proved synon-
ymous and these my reward. Were
not they worth striving for. Miss
Rosalind ," He looked mockingly
at his crutches; the girls face was
white as his own a. he went Oh Bit
terly: And vet they tell us that
God Is merciful. He has been SO to
me, and II suppose ain thankful
that He made me an eye-sore-a
thing, not man, without one single
! hope. one single thing to live for"
When the mocking voice ceased
Rosalind rose pale and trembling. a
great fear coming into her face. He
raised his eyes to her, saying quietly ;
Il am not mad. Miss Rosalind. but
there comes a time in every ones life
when he cannot be silent. he must
speak. And | have ended now; it
only remains to say that to the num-
Der of my sins | have added that OF
loving With a sudden groan he
/ bowed his head upon his hands, NUT
tering: God! my burden is greater
than can bear
Rosalind, standing there with the
sunlight streaming over her and the
CAV voices from the lawn mingled
with the buzz of locuSts sounding on
the still air. forgot herself and her
own sharp sorrow in tender pity
for this mans suffering. With a
steady voice she began:
You have not told her; perhaps
Lydia"
Lydia! You do not know-you
have not guessed whom | love? Not
Lydia, but yourself. ] have dared
to love you. Are you not proud cf
your conquest?"