Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-12-11
VOL. 74.-3765. NO. 9.

Alstyne did not stay long. When he
went away he carried face which had
look oil defeat in it. lie had strven TO win
the woman he loved, and failed. From the
bottom OF his heart Robert pitied him. He
had not liked the man very well before, but
when he drove down to the station with
him and saw how deeply he felt the loss of
what he had hoped to win, feeling of kind
ness came over him. Must they not both
bear henceforth a sorrow which came of
loving one which neither might possess
"Braith, you are sorry for me-you pity
me, he said. al 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 lost wish you all the
happiness had hoped for myself"
~ don't understand you," Robert
said, with strange thrill at his heart. al
nave won nothing which you would have
priced"
ado you call Helen Hunts love nothing2"
Alstyne cried. 81 would give the world for
it, if had it to give"
You are mistaken" Robert answered.
q" But Alstyne interrupted him.
I" am not blind" he said. "She loves
you, and you will find it out when the dav
comes for you to tell her what you must
some day."
She loved him There was a world of
rapture in the thought. But-and the
haunting spectre 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 lowlv
life, And he could not lift himself to hers.
And yet she loved him He could not for
one moment forget that. And to know it
was so sweet, so unutterably sad
The days after that went by more like a
dream than ever. He tried TO keep away
from her, but his heart would not let him.
lie tried to school himself to the thought
that, since he might not have her for his
own, he ought not to think of her as a man
thinks of the woman he hopes to win. But
he could not do that. He could only love
her, and tell himself that his love was but a
vain one
But it could not always go on in that way
30 late took the matter in her own hands.
Robert was at work in the meadow one
afternoon. The loaded wagon was driven
away to the barn, and he sat down TO rest
until its return. As he sat there, Helen
came down the lane. She saw him, and
came across the meadow aud sat beside him,
under the old apple tree.
What they talked about he never could
tell He remembered, in a vague way, that
they saw darkening sky, but that was all,
until the sudden fury of the summer shower
broke upon them. A flash of binding
brightness, cry from her, a crash as if
heaven and earth were being rent in twain,
and he was by her side, with her head upon
ms knee, and he was crying out to her in
wild, incoherent way, telling her that he
loved her.
"Oh, my darling ?" he cried out in wild
outburst OF long-pent up passion. al love
you love you and you are dead l'
Are you cure about that, Robert ?" she
said, struggling up into a sitting posture
with the color coming back into her cheek.
" was stunned a trifie for a moment-noth-
ing more"
81 thought you must be dead, you were
so pale" he said. "If had known"
"Well, what ?" she said, shyly, when he
paused.
81 would not have said what did," he
answered slowly. " Forgive me, Helen. In
such times we say things we would not say
IN sober moments"
Robert" she cried, suddenly, ." you say
you love me. If it is true why should you
not tell me so ? What keeps us apart %
His face was pale with pain at his heart.
hc tiiue udu COult WHtu he IuuSU speak.
"Ill tell you what keeps us apart" he
answered. 4" You belong to sphere of life
so much above mine that love cannot bridge
over the distance between us"
Robert" she cried, her whole face aglow,
a" is that the reason why you have kept 81
lent ? Because have lived in a world you
know but little about, you imagine it would
be wrong for you to ask me to follow my
heart Poor, foolish Robert Love to me
is more than all the world beside, and your
life is the happiest one | ever knew. |
should make no sacrifice in taking it in
place of the old one. /" but she stopped
in sudden, sweet confusion.
My darling" he cried, and caught her
to his breast. q Are you sure you care
enough for Inc to give up all you would have
to willingly? Think of the change, Helen"
al have thought" she answered. "I
give it up gladly. l tired of it long ago.
want you"
There was a sudden breaking of the
clouds, and the sun came forth in new ra-
dance The world was transfgured with
rare and wonderful glory, Robert thought,
as he bent and kissed the face uplifted to
his, full of love and trust and peace. And
she laid her head upon his shoulder and
whispered softly, Z" Robert, my king"