Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-06-04
WHOLE NO. 1862

| listened.
oh, Nep! she sobbed. 1T can't
be true, can it? The blue eyes shut,
and the fair hair all wet and dank at
the bottom of the sea? The voice
dumb, and the great heart still? It's
a dream, Nep! He'll come back yet
1t is a wicked lie, Nep!'
The dog gave a sort of low moan.
/ listed still; 'Oh no!' I heard her
say. Its follyto hope. You are
happier than I, Nep. He loved you
and he cared nothing for me. He pat
ted you on the head when you parted.
He left me with q sneer. He didn't
know | loved him as we'll as you, Nep,
though not as humbly. Oh, Paul
Paul can you be dead? You, my
life, my love, my darling!'
She sprang to her feet, wringing
her hands. Ipushed l the door wider.
The creaking of the hinges startled
her; she turned and screamed
'Oh, Paul I! PAUL.
Then the red blood rushed to her
face, and her voice rang out.
You? l thought it a ghost. So
you are not drowned! Reserved for
another fate which shall be nameless.
| hope you are content, now you have
nearly frightened mamma to death. Go
and report yourself at once, Sir!'
Go! Nay, no place for me but at
her feet. / knelt there humbly.
caught her hand, I kissed it. Her
dark face grew proud and cold.
you shall not pretend to hate me
any longer | said. it is useless
Mira; I've been beside the door too
long.'
and heard a little play acted for
your benefit, she answered. 4 heard
you coming, and Yes Sir, / did
don't insult me by doubling that
She broke down and burst into
ears. She struggled passionately,
out 1 held her tight Humbled by
ler humiliation, l told her all. My
owe, my longing, my pain at her cold
less. The anguish the belief that she
Jared nothing for me had given so long,
AHA az IasC the struggle ceaseu, the
lead dropped low upon my shoulder,
md I held Mira to my heart and kiss
ID her fondly, for she was mine and l
lers until death parted lis.
Then she lett me to break the news
If my safe return to the old people.
Those who had been saved had
old the fate ofthe other boat, and there
vas no need of my telling the truth
o Ben's mother, l had only to tell her
where his. body lay. Those were sad
lays for me despite my own happiness.
But they passed and were halfforgotten
Is other woes may be so quickly,
,efore. Her bridesmaid duties being
,ver, Nina came to us from the city.
She saw Mira and myself walking
land in hand and smiled. An hour
fter, when the girls had been shut
lp together in their room, she came
o me.
I'm so glad, Paul ! she said
Thank you, darling
1T is most for Mira's sake, l knew
he loved you, Paul
Did she tell you so?
No: she tell saw it.
'And never spoke to me?'
Paul, one woman's secret should be
oily to another, and / never guessed
on loved her.
And so that girl of sixteen had read
he heart of the other girl Alright while
was blank to me; and the two
ad kept the secret that was my very
fe from me, not guessing mine.
And seeing each other daily we had
ct only looked upon masked faces,
nd taking love for hate and pride
d. scorn, had worked ourselves much
!, and grieved when we might have
oyed for all these days, and months,
nd years.
thought of that when next took
Iira's hand in mine. l thought oft
,hen stood with her at the altar.
think of it often now, though l have
allied her wife so many years that,
ooking out upon the lawn, see a
ounger Mira walking with her lover
4 the twllight-a Mira who calls my
fra mother.