Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1874-04-23

face, either, that with its many changes
of hate and jealous anger and furious de-
spair seemed, while the lovers talked, to
be playing dark and stormy accompa-
niment to the idyl of their love.
A sudden angry burst of wind at the
narrow window reused them unpleas-
antly to sense of night and the nearing
storm.
"Oh, the rainl" cried Hester, with a
pale face How thoughtless of US to
stay, and you have that long, desolate walk
over the cliffs in the dark"
Never mind" cried Robert, stoutiy
"There are such light and warmth with
in me that shall not heed passing
touch of wind and water. will see you
to your door first and then goodnight"
"My cousin Conrad promised to come
for me-" Hester answered. II wonder
what detains him. 1t is too bad for me
to take you all this long way out of your
route"
II like it better So" the young man
Conrad, and am not willing to trust you
on, earnestly, if my music but brings
me fame and fortune can then make you
all my own, and there will be no more
for u.s."
They passed down the stairs and out
into the street together, unconscious of
the shadow closing upon them, nearer
and blacker. At the door of Hester's
home they parted with a lingering good
by.
"My precious music" cried Robert
buttoning his coat closer about him. No
harm must come to that. 1t represents
fame and fortune and love and honor for
thee and me, my darling"
Hester lifted small wet tace to peer
into the gloom.
"I wish you could stay" she said
"And oh, Robert, be careful Of the cliffs
the path is so lonely and dangerous. /
shall come early to rehearsal tomorrow
for the sake of knowing that you are
safe"
"Dop' he answered. Il shall bring
you glad tidings. Success is too near for
me to miss il now. Good night, good
night,my sweetheart" and so speaking he
passed from her into the shadow of his
waiting doom.
After that night of storm the day
dawned clear and cool. At ST. Paui's the
choral society, just then in first flush of
enthusiasm over new oratorio, gath
cred early. One-Two-Threel the great
bells chimed the hours and the singers
waited impatient for their leader. Some
thing had detained him, most likely; he
would come soonl The hour struck Four
and he had not come, and Hester Heath.
ersleigh, with heart heavy as lead in her
bosom, fell on her knees IN an agony of
prayer. "Oh, my God!" she cried, reck-
less of who might hear her. He is dead.
Ny Robert is dead He has been lost in
the cruel storm"
Some one, plying, touched her arm. 1t
was her cousin, Conrad Charters; he was
looking down at her with a pale face--a
face paler far than that with which he
had spied upon her yesterday from behind
the gallery curtain. Her piteous cry had
touched even his stony heart.
"Hush" he whispered; here is news
from him-from Robert; come and hear
what II Is .
A note had been brought by swift
running messenger, and a shudder ran
round the waiting circle oflisteners when
its contents were made known. IL was
signed by leading physician of the city,
and stated that Robert Field had been
picked up that morning at the foot of the
cliffs and taken home for dead He was
insensible condition, and it was impossi-
BILE TO tell what the extent of his injuries
were, or if there were any hope of his Ill
innate recovery.
A horror. stricken silence followed the
reading of the note, broken at last by
low, sobbing cry from Hester Heather.
sleigh's white lips.
~ must go to him---oh, / must 90 to
himl Who will take mep You! you'll"
and she caught Conrad Charters by the
arm.
He shrank away from her with a ges-
ture much as if she had pierced him with
knife. His black eyes dilated ho1ri,
bly,.
81? / go with you to see him ?" he
cried "What are you thinking of?
What do you take me for?" Then noting
her astonished look he made fierce
struggle for composure; but his hands
shook like withered leaves
"Why do you wish to go to him ~ he
questioned, angrily. "He would not rec
ognize you--and IL is no place for you !
Let me take you home"
She snatched up her shawl and bound
it with trembling fingers about her shout
ders. 81 tell you | shall go TO him." she
answered 81 was to have been his wife
and, living or dead, my place Is now by
his side. You can come with me Ii you
| likep And she few down the steps.
It seemed an age TO her, that short time
she was on the road leading to the lonely
house of Robert Fields widowed mother;
and when at last, by dint Of her prayers
and tears, she was suffered to approach
his bedside, she looked down on very
different Robert Field from the one with
whom she parted in such high hope the
night before.
The bruises were chiefly about the head,
the physician said gravely, and even ifhe
recovered 1t was doubtful If his mind
would ever be sound again. Hester heard
him, and with great sob fell on her knees
by the bedside. Where now were the
brilliant aspirations, the tender hopes, the
gay courage and stouthearted faith ofone
short day gone byi LOST lostl Success
so near to him, and yet TO fail. Triumph
SO nearly won, and yet to pass by on the
other side.
Robert, oh, my Robert! Look upl
Speak to me, or |, too, shall diet"
Ali but love remained. Love un-
changed and unfaltering. This then was