The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-06-29

ralnbow-colored stream, and smote
upon the dark oaken carving of the op-
posite stalls with a gold and crimson
luster; smote, too, upon the brow of a
woman standing by the lectern-a tall,
1alr-halred woman, in white gown,
too, and with sadder look in her eyes
than any pictured Magdalen. The am
Der glory fell upon her head and on the
pearl-like outline of her cheek. All the
rest OF her was in shadow dim, white
inquire, with bunch of yellow roses in
her hand, against dim background of
gliding and color and costly marbles,
mellowed into harmony by the OBJ
security. Then all of sudden she
moved, turned her head round, and saw
Mallam standing looking at her.
He had been there five minutes at
least, so he had had time to get over
his surprise, yet his face was as pale as
marble. She had not moment to col
lect herself and hers was just as usual,
calm and grave-even the sadness in
her eyes exchanged for their old look
OF resolute, defiant pride; but Hugh had
purpose in his mind, and was not to
be baffied by that.
Miss Langton," he said, coming up
to her, II did not mean to intrude on
you; but, since have done so by acct
dent, will you let me speak to you? |
am leaving England this month, and [
will not keep you five minutes at most"
Cecil looked at him. Perhaps the
kind of depressed desperation in his
voice showed her he would have his say
whether she said yea or nay. Anyhow,
she just bowed her head in cold ac-
quiescence, and stood still, one hand
resting on the silver lectern, the other
grasping her roses. He came q little
nearer, and said, very quietly:
am going to India because can
not forget you here. l don't know if |
shall ever return, and | don't care; but
before 60 | want to ask you one favor:
L want you to forgive me, Miss Lang
TOM
He could not see her face; she had
turned it little from him; but he saw
her start, and one yellow rose fall with
a little rustic on the marble pavement,
snapped off in the unconscious clench-
ing OF her fingers. He went on quickly:
"Reasc do not mistake me. | only
meanwhat | say. Iwronged you shame
fully and unjustly seven years ago, and
l make no excuses for it. You were
right to listen to none for me; right in
every word you said. No man who
ever really loved you could have done
as did. | thought loved you, but |
was wrong in that, too, and deserve
your scorn for my mistake All the
same, | ask you to forgive me to-day
and don't think you will refuse me
not because love you now, little as l
may have done so before, but because
you are a good, generous-hearted wom-
an, and | do not believe you would re-
fuse your pardon to anyone, even your
worst enemy, if he were dying, and
asked 1t of you as | do now. When |
leave here shall be dead-to you. Will
you give it to me before | go?'
He was standing by her side, trying
to read an answer in her downcast face;
but she did not turn to speak, and after
minute he said, with little culver in
his strong voice:
Am | wrong to expect it? If am,
won't plague you any more; but-you
will shake hands with me, at least,
won't youp'
He put out his hand and touched hers.
For moment she did not move. Then
she lifted her head so suddenly that the
soft, golden hair brushed his cheek.
Their faces were quite close together,
and her eyes were full of tears-tears
which rolled down her cheeks as she
put up her lips to his, and said his
name. Only that! and before it was
uttered he had put his arms around
her, and was holding her to him, his
face pressed upon hers. don't think
the forgiveness was even spoken after
all-neither was it needed-but before
they left the chapel she said to him:
eff you must 60, you will take me
with you. | have loved you so long, |
cannot lose you now. Promise me,
Hugh" And he answered:
81 will never leave you again as long
as live. Heaven bless you, my love.''
They were married three weeks later,
and was best man, and went down to
Southampton to see them sail; but how
it all came about even | did not know
till long afterward. All the same,
Hugh never writes to me but he says:
81 am the happiest man in the world,
and | owe it all to you"
And, upon my word, l fancy he is
right!--AH the Year Round.