The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1874-07-02

NO. 81.
1 am a fool, but felt I must speak
once to you again. J,
There was = moments silence, and
then he said, gravely, 'at was yourself
that bade me forget, Miss Filmer. You
wrote to me, so that had no alterna.
tive. I do not quite understand what
it is that you would have of me now.
lt'"as none Of my doing, God knows r
He spoke with calm courtesy, With no
trace of emotion.
Clasping her hands together, she
spoke. cab, how hard you are 80
young, left there in such hands ?
Were they my own words, do you
think, that I wrote? Do you suppose
it was my doing? Look at all these
years, how I haye waited. Should
/ be here now .s I am i-if- Does
one do never deed that ono repents ?
DO you not think 1 have wept and
~ept over what did,-what they
made me do p
care you not engaged to Frank, to
my cousin I What can you expect me
to say to you?"
"Who has been telling evil things
OF me? Who has said that to you !?
All! I koow whose doing it is," she
exclaimed, bitterly.
els it not true 2" Colonel Fraser
asked, in bis ordinary quiet tone.
'rHe 1t any rate seems to believe bis
dream.''
Georgia put her hand to her throat.
and drew . long, sobbiug breath. ri
will tell you the truth" she cried. III
~as 50 tempted,-to show you that 1
was at least not unsought,-I was In
despair almost, seeing you, seeing the
one love I craved withheld. Can you
not understand? Do you think 1
cared for him: do you think I could
listen to his voice while 1 heard yours ?
Did you think it was mere caprice that
made me bid him open that door 2"
She stopped again for breath.
He shook his head. ri do not not
know how to answer you. Perhaps I
am grown hard and cold. think not :;
but cannot dig up again what bur-
led 80 deep underground. You we're
wrong to do it," he said: II would
have been true and tender to you,
George. But it is all over now; no
need for reproaohes and bitter
words.'
| "fou arc nard,-hard," she repeat
ed. at is just and right; I must sub.
NIT. But tell me you say you for.
give me; that is what thev say when it
is oil over; it is heaping turf on the
grave. What am I to do with my life
now7 It is thrown back on me. You
could always lead me With a thread. ."
She passed her hand timidly within bis
arm, and he let it lie there.
! allow fast you walk" she said
Care you anxious to get away, while !
feel as if it we're my last moment,-as
if I could not let it slip?"
| He replied hastily, "No, no; you
must not think want to get away.
wish I knew what to say to you. I do
not wish to forgive you; it is all so en-.
tirely past and gone. I would have
you forget it and be at peace. I have
no wish but for your happiness,-for
your entire happiness and good. You
have so much in your hand" He
hesitated little. "You have a life
to make or mar. If it were indeed
that I could lead you, would bid you
think we'll what is before you. I would
} ask you"-ae stopped and::they stood
opposite each other, she with clasped
hands and her eyes on the ground.
"Why not let this be the turning in
your life Z" he said. "Taere is grea|
good before you, if you have the vii
for it."
As he looked at her he could not bu
be moved with her exceeding beauty
! the wistful tenderness ia her larg'
l eyes, 30 dark and soft with unshei
tears.
''1'kuow you will" he said, and tool
her hands in his, and held them.
Il George looked up in his face.
81 know you can never love me,
she said, very low; ''but give me on
;, kiss,-it 10 the last time."
Something in her look, in her tone
moved HIN strangely. Had he beel
e hard indeed too hard? She stoo'
resting moment, and then, IS tn
flush that her own words had called t
q her face faded into paleness, he stoop
. ed and kissed her.
y Towards afternoon the day cloude
over. A gray mist hung over the hills
and gradually descended on the VALLEY
The birds were silent the aowe,
closed their petals, As if it were nigh
fall; yellow leaves futtered to th
ground in the Limewalk; a sudde
y chill and silence filed the air; aud th
distant rush of the river sounde
- strangely near aud dull.
About four o'clock the whole part
= came home. The gentlemen could NJ
" shoot in the mist. All were quie
anmsvhAk nrnna and oo16 Nohod