The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1879-12-31


she was sure she. was quite calm
though the palms of her hands were
burning and her eyes ached.
But she would hear no more upon the
subject--about that she was deter
mined.
AS she opened the door she looked
across the veranda where she had left
her brother standing. and there of course
she thought she saw him still.
In her hands she carried a large white
scarf, and fastening forward she threw
| it round the neck of the silent figure,
while in a tone of gaiety, which only
| served to display instead of conceal her
emotion, she exclaimed:
Here, Ernest, is a wrap for you! If
| you will be so absurd rs to stand out
here listening to the old church bells,
you must protect yourself from the cold
as well rs myself, and-oh.-!"
A cry-almost a scream-burst from
her lips. She had discovered her mis-
take. She tried to fly, but she found
her hands grasped SO tightly that any
effort at extrication would be futile.
me, sir. Let go this moment! Ernest
Ernest! where are youp Let go, say! :"
Maud-Miss Brinsley," said Ber-
nard, in those deep, thrilling tones of
his, ~ cannot-Indeed l cannot-let you
go! Stay one moment-only one mo-
ment!"
| How that rich voice rarg in her ears
! Despite herself, it moved her strangely.
She had never heard it since that night
| they had parted. rs she felt, forever.
Surely" she painted, breathlessly, for
she still struggled to get free, "surely
you will hot be guilty of holding me
here by forcee Release my hands at
once!n
mot yet" answered Bernard. in great
agitation. mot until you lave heard
me speak. I feel that l have now one
frail hold upon happiness, and cling to
it as drowning sailor might to frag-
nent of a wrack. And my life, what is
it now but a wreck! Maud-Maud as
you may one day have need to ask for
forgiveness yourself, let me beg of you to
hear mem
Release mel" was all she said.
With stifed groan he obeyed her
She was free.
But her arms dropped down to he I
side; and after taking one hasty step
toward the door, she paused.
At that instant the church bells ceased
with startling suddenness their changing
peal. The hour of midnight had almost
come.
Trembling in every limb, with her
heart beating almost TO suffocatiOn,
anxious to fee, yet feeling it impossible
to move, she stood spell-bouud, as Il
seemed, by the solemn stiffness all
around.
Maud" said Bernard, brokeniy.
1.-THE bells have done; they will not ring
again till the New Year comes. The
duration of the old year may now be
reckoned by minutes nay, seconds.
Surely this should be time for me 10
invoke AL the gentlest feelings of your
nature! BY the love you once had for
me, do not, ont do not condemn me to
another year of misery of woe! / am
here, an almost hea!t-broken suppliant.
and my sole reliance is OH womsn's for
giving spirit. l have wronged you,
Maud; ] confess to it with grief, with
shame. But how bitterly I have re-
pented of that act of folly none can
know except myself-none except my
self for could you guess how bitter, how
sincere has been my repentance, you
would at least have pity for me, if not
forgiveness. Do not leave me, Maud !;
do not crush me with despair. Ere the
New Year comes let me hear one word
of forgiveness only one-and / will be
content"
Great as was the wrong this man had
done her, Maud felt that the love which
all her efforts had been in vain to cast
out was still dominant in her breast,
and urging her to crush down that re-
sentiment which she had thought she
must ever bear toward him.
Her brain whirled she felt sick and
faint; and then came the solemn strokes
of the old church clock striking the
hour Of twelve.
"In another moment" said Bernard
''it will be too late. Maud-Maud
Forgivs-forgive!"
One after another came the strokes
upon the clock until the twelfth was
reached, and then for few seconds
which esemed like an age to those two
on the veranda, there was again thai
impressive silence.
Maud put her hands TO her throat
r1fA - Lo cd l.
but not even murmur issued from hei
lips. Down on his knees sank Bernard
; with outstretched hand he grasped hel
: dress, and turned his anguished gaZt
upon her.
What did he see? Could it be real
A mist came over his eyes, and then ht
felt trembling hand touch his, while 1
voice in the faintest whisper murmured
Forgiven! Yes yes, Bernard! For
giveni"
:. At last!"
With one spring he was on his feet
and pressing the loved one in those
arms which he had feared would never
encircle her again.
Then with wild, mad peal, the New
ear y SHiinSs IanS ous upon eAo Aose.
; air. New low, then high, and anon fall
ing into softer cadence, but speaking
to Bernard's ears with joy ineffable
And how Maud clung to him, whil
she sobbed and cried with hysterica
!, violence
Thank you, darling" said Bernard
huskily. THANK you for those words
This is indeed happy-happy New
Years day for me! Speak again, darl
ing! Tell me once more that am for
, giyena"
Forgiyen!' sobbed Maud. For