Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-11-08

come back ever since l went away.
hope this summer will be rs pleasant
rs that one was"
q hope it will for your sake" he
said, and his face had grave, panied
look III it which her keen eyes detected
at once.
What is the matter with you, Rob
ert Z" she said, putting her hand on his
arm. "Iou look Us if something trub-
led you. My coming has nothing to DO
with ii, has it?
How could il have ?" he said with
little forced laugh. ~ haven't felt
quite we'll for few days, that's all.
But Ill come round right by-and-hy
Don't say anything to mother about it
she doesn't know, and there's no use
! i'll her Worrying about me She
couldn't help me if she knew
g Is is serious, Roberto" Her eyes
were grave now, rs they rested cues
tioningly on his face
"Don't ask me to tell you anything
about it, he said, turning abruptly
away. "Men have lived through it be-
fore now, and SHALL lie added, with
another laugh. "Do not bother your
self about me, Helen, but enjoy your
self as best you cam
1t was II pleasant ride home, IN spite
of the thoughts that would keep COM
ing into Robert Braith's mind. She
was by his side and he loved her.
The old summer seemed to come
back again, with its eight which never
was on land or sea-" to Robert. The
dream of his heart was Just rs sweet MS
it had been i'll the vanished days. She
had not changed at all since then, but
was the same winning woman who had
won his heart away, and would keep it
forever.
The days passed like charmed ones,
with rows on the river, and long, de-
lightful walks mt sunset time; with
songs in the brief, delicious evenings,
and quiet talks about books and the
men and women, who wrote them.
Robert was not her inferior in the cul-
ture which comes from reading good
books; because he was farmer was no
reason why he should DC ignorant and
uncultivated. lie had studied, and
formed wide acquaintance With ear
nest, thoughtful men-through the
books they had wrtten-and iii this
way he had educated himselfto n much
higher level than most Of the young
men Helen Hunt met in her own cir
Gle of society ut home. But, because
he lacked their self-esteem and con
ceit, Robert always thought Of himself
rs lacking something in mind and
manners, which those she come in con
tact with in her own sphere of life
ought to have, and did have, for all he
knew to the contrary. Perhaps he was
right in thinking that thel told him
that they did not always.
One day Jerome Alstyne came out
from the city. Robert had heard he
was lover of Helen's, and he was sure
Of it when he saw the mans face at
their meeting But Helen's showed no
such sudden gladness as ought to ex-
press itself i'll the face Of woman
when she meets the man she loves,
and Robert felt satisfied that she did
not care for Alstyne as he did for her,
and the thought brought a sense Of ex-
ultation to him.
Aistyne did not stay long. When he
went away he carried face which had
look Of defeat in it. He had striven to
win the woman he loved, and failed.
From the bottom Of his heart Robert
pitied him. He had not liked the man
very we'll before, but when he drove
down to the station with him, and saw
how deeply he felt the loss of what he
hoped to win, feeling of kindness
came over him. Must they both bear,
| henceforth, II sorrow which came Of low
ing one neither might possess :
"Braith, you are sorry for me-you
pity me-" he said. Il thank you for it.
You understand what there is to pity
me for. You can well afford to pity me,
since you have won what i lost. wish
you all the happiness ! had hoped for
myself"
IL don't understand vou," Robert
said, with strange thrill at bis heart.
81 have won nothing that you would
have priced.
"Do you call Helen Hunts love moth
ing?' he cried. u would give the world
for it if | had it to give"
"Gou are mistaken Robert answer
ed. Il
But Alstyne interrupted him.
81 am not blind, hesaid. "she loves
you, and you will find it SO when the
day comes for you to tell her what you
must, some day
She loved him There was world Of
rapture in the thought. But the haunt
ing specter which comes to sit by your
hearth and mine came into his heart
then--their ways in life were So wide
apart that they could not be bridged
over. lie could never ask this woman
to stoop to his lowly life. And he could
not lift himself TO hers. And yet she
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