The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-08-28

concerning IN hef appearance that rec
ognized rather by the heart than by the
mind.
On inquiring who she was, learned
that she had lately returned from the
West with her father who had expert
enced severe reverses of fortune some
years before, but had recently regained
his property. Her name, they told me,
was Miss Lee.
had never known any one ofthe name,
yet certainly knew her. While Twas
puzzling myself for a solution of the
mystery one Of the heavy braids which
covered her forehead fell aside, and saw
a small red scar upon her temple. Then
l knew her, it was my would-be robber,
Miss Lee or Julia Windsor; l could not
be mistaken in her identity.
As may be readily imagined, was not
long in seeking an introduction to her. If,
on her part, she recognized me, she main
tanned her composure admirably. A
small red spot, rising in her cheek and
fading instantly, was the only sign Of
anxiety that could detect.
i'll had thought her beautiful in her
ugly male attire two years before, found
her doubly 30 now. The expression Of
care and grief had passed out Of her face,
but it had left its traces in her soft eye
and in the tremulcus outlines other mouth.
An air of quiet thoughtfulness--the repose
of soul heavily chastened with sorrow-
had supreme charm for me.
had not been sitting near her ten
minutes before it became painfully appar.
ent to me that my solitary life was a very
cold and selfish one. This beautiful Cir
had lived and loved and suffered for an.
other. If her experience had been a sad
one, 1t had likewise been noble. Some
how, my adventure that memorable night
seemed to give me right to her regard
Perhaps it was because l had never for.
gotten her, and that the simple memory
of her had kept her close to me.
Be that as it may, when left her thai
night it was in livery unhappy frame o.
mind. Emotions had been aroused in me
that would not be put to sleep again
For the first time IN my life l knew wha,
love meant-loye for large-hearted
noble woman.
had hoped that l had secured thu
means of familiar intercourse with Mis-.
Lee. by which l might be enabled to en-
large my acquaintance with her. But
soon found that l was mistaken. Con
verse with her might, but never freely
Enter her house when and as often a.
l chose, but her sympathy not at all. Sh,
seemed to hold me firmly at a distance
With all my efforts, l could not even es
tablish cool friendship between us.
Did she remember me, then, and hat,
me for my knowledge of that one aarl
event in her past history? 1t seemed so
indeed. Yet was she blind? Could sh,
not see that loved her? Or was it be
cause, while sacrificing herself for he
fathers sake, l had inflicted the wounC
whose scar she would carry to the grave
Either way. was supremely unhappy.
Six months elapsed before summoned
up the courage to put her feelings towart
me to the test. One afternoon | entered
her presence firmly resolved to declare m,
love for her and abide the result. coult
not be more wretched than was, and m,
love might at least teach her to respect
me.
She was alone when | entered. Some
thing in my face must have alarmed
her, for she arose hastily, and would
have LETT the room had not called hel
back.
Julia Windsor" said calmly, Evil
you hear me?"
THAT is not my NAME" she faltered,
turning very white.
| mo; but it was your name that night
In the far West, when you pointed pis
tol at my head and demanded my money
Do you remember that night?"
She made no reply for a moment, but
stood with her face averted; then she sud.
denly turned and confronted me with a
l gesture of contempt.
Eyes l do remember" she answered,
passionately. Am likely to forget ii
while this, inflicted by your hands re.
mains9" She pushed back her hair and
laid her finger upon the scar upon her
temple. "You struck me down, but to
pay me for my wound you left your money
in my pocket. It saved my fathers life
for that thank you. But you may can
eel all. Go tell the world what you know.
Wake the tongue of Islander against me.
Say that once upon a time ! lived in alb
| Ject poverty, under an assumed name, and
that to succor a perishing father I robbed
passengers upon the road in male attire.
l do not rear you"
"You need fear nothing" I answered,
quietly, Except that shall love you too
much for your noble sacrifice"
"Love mel" she echoed, looking at me
suddenly with filling eyes. IL thought
that you despised me for my unwomanly
action"
Then you wronged me deeply" re-
turned, approaching and taking her hand
my rembrance of that night is full Of
admiration and respect. Since l have
known you intimately, have learned to
love you-how truly | have no words to
say"
but threatened you with a pistol. ~
she answered, demurely.
1T was harmless" / returned, smiling.
81 kept i'll have it at home now"
''Do YOU remember the handkerchief
with which you bound my headP" she
asked shyly. more faithful to the spirit
of that night than you, l have always
kept it near me. l have it now"
Julia" said I. earnestly, answer me
truly, whyP"
Because" she returned. lifting her
soft eyes to mine, 81 loved you from that
hour. When | saw you again my love
took new strength, and thou0h felt that
you despised me, it remained mistaken
as it shall to my dying hour"
MY darling" said, STOPPING TO kiss
her upturned face, ION that night YOU
robbed me of more than my purse. You
made wholly yours my heart, my life, my
future happiness.
A Philosophic Fiend.