The Worthington advance., 1876-06-01

LES co. MlNNEso1A, ? !, rH
fact, no love, only slow, sluggish ;af.
fectlon. You almost thought I was
right, and that we could not be happy.
I am naturally proud, y she went on:
"but a woman with less pride than I
have could not have acted differently.
Only, one course was LETT me--to beI
eVf; sWell, it's all .; overhoaw," azna he re.
joined; we shall never, never. meet
:You won't take my friendship.
then 90 ~: ! S..sl7s. ~ -, - =.
''No, thank you; you are very gene
rous, but do not want this Gifts
He threw himself wearily into il
chair, and for some time there was 4
complete silence. Hope is SO subtle,
so entangible, that aF are often, only
aware Of its existence when it has
ceased to be. Arthur Seton looked
upon himself as q man quite without
hope. It seemed to him that his life
could hardly he more gray and desc.
late than it was, yet who shall say
what feeling, of which he was not di.
rectly conscious, may have sustained
him through the last three years. Now
everything seemed gone-there was
nothing but death left.
Presently carriage.wheels came down
the road carriage-lamps flashed thro'
the dusk, and grew stationary opposite
the window. Mr.. Hunter bustled in,
and announced, in tone of triumph,
the carriage had come for the young
lady, and done the distance wonderful.
ly quick. Then the door shut, and
they were alone together again.
! Very softly and distinctly Seton
heard her say his name 'sArthur," but
he did not move. 1t seemed to him
that he would keep back all his love,
clinch fast his heart till she were gone,
and then die swiftly of the pain.
''Arthur, I am waiting, dear. Won't
you come are you not going to for:
give me e.
Now he rose and CROPPED his way
toward her like blind man. She
stretched out her hands and drew him
to her. Then he bent down. She
raised her face, and the lips and the
hearts so long disunited. came together
in a long passionate kiss. He knealt
down by her, her head sank upon his
shoulder, and for several minutes they
remained thus, lost in loves profound
peace and mystery. And the ale-corks
continued to pop, and wagoners on
their way to London tramped in and
out of the bar, and warm gOod-nights
were exchanged between customer
and landlord. and as Arthur folded
Alico's mantle around her, she said,
half shyly. ''You are coming back
with me to see mamma, are you not 2
"May I p he answered, great Joy
evident in face and voice.
So the bedroom which Mrs. Hunter
had been preparing all the. afternoon,
and of which she was not little proud,
remained unoccul,ied, but the payment
was lavish, and the day s= labor was
not regretted.
Oh that never.to-be-for ride
to Chiselhurst through the wild, windy
evening. Between it and the last
three years lay all the pains of hell,
And the rain ceased, and strange
voices were abroad in the wind, sing.
ing jubilantly over love re-risen and
redeeming. And the clouds drifted
away, and the pure, sweet windy
moonlight quivered over wet fields
and trees, and seemed loves benedic.
tion.
! leave you to imagine the arrival
home. Arthur had always been favor.
ite with Mrs. Clarefield, and in the old
days of quarrels she used always t0
take his part. When dinner had at
last been disposed of, Mrs. Clarefield
pleaded household duties and went t0
her bedroom. There she sat down
before the bright fire and wept pro
fusely, dear soul, over the happiness OF
her children and down stairs these
two were very quiet. To them love
was a solemn thing, and they were
solemn lovers. And the wonderful
priceless moments went silently and
swiftly by.
Presently, however, Alice said
| looking up into Arthur's face, ant
, pressing his hand very tightly, ''Yo,
. won't continue your walk to Hastings
, this week p
And he answered, with a brigh
!, smile, ''But | have pledged my wore
of honor to do so.''
II command you to break it.;
t Yes, and he did break it; bu
? none of his friends brought it as an &C
) cushion against him that for once il
! his life he had broken his Word o
: Honor :!