Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-07-16


him, when he knows how l would die
for him. Oh, Wilfredl my love, my
dearest, how could you leave me SOL"
1t was not strange that that other time
should rise vividly before her; that day
six months ago, when, in this very room,
in the first blissful realization of their
mutual passion, he had fallen on his
knees before her, and solemnly affirmed
that, come what would, no power on
earth should ever separate him from her.
If ever a woman was sure of man,
Saidee, you are sure of mel"
What music the words were, though
neither of them co., forsee the future
and the sore test that awaited them
All seemed bright ahead; they were to
be married in six months time, and she
was to go away with him to Brazil,
where he had secured a government
appointment.
There seemed no need of the passionate
protestations, the solemn oath of this
fond lover; their truth was to be tried.
In the fifth month of their engagement,
Aunt Ruth-of whom Saidee was the
especial pet and protege-was thrown
from her carriage and received injuries
which, though it was not believed they
would prove fatal, left her in a very crit
ical and apprehensive state.
True, the wedding day was named and
Wilfred must go; true, there were low
ing hearts beside Saidee to care for poor
Aunt Ruth, but it seemed to her tender
nature most crime to leave her, at least,
until danger was positively past. And
when, one morning, the old lady drew
down the fair face to hers, and whis-
pered, imploringly, "You will not leave
me, pet while there is a doubt of my get
ting wellP" she promised unhesitatingly
that she would not.
Perhaps if she had known Wilfred
Hare better, she could not have prom
ised so readily. But she knew him only
as the tender lover, the man who had
sworn that, come what would, no power
on earth should ever separate him from
her. 1t could be easily settled, she
thought; he, as she, would feel very sad
and disappointed, but he, as she, must
see the impossibiEty of her going now.
They could be married, and, as soon as
Aunt Ruth was decided out of danger,
she would go to him.
All this in full trust and faith she con-
fided to Winfred Hare She was i'll
prepared for the reception her words
met, the imperious workings of this
mans WILL What eight had she, with
out consulting him even, to make a
promise to any one that conficted with
her own to him? His love gave him the
right to command her; if she loved him
she would obey. She must marry him
and go away with him, else their present
relations must cease.
II am so glad," she said softly, "that
| am not one of those who think per.
feet object is necessary for loving; | dc
not think perfect object is test o.
love. 1 am not blind; Wilfred is very
tyrannical, selfish, very, very unkind
but, but, as never till to-day have l fully
realized it, so never has he been so deal
to me-"
This realization awoke q atenderresolve
"I can never let him go away SO;
must prove to him how dear he is anC
must ever be to me-"
From this came the tender note thai
found its way next morning to WilfreC
Hare:-
81 cannot let you go away, dear, with
out one little word. l know you arr
angry with me, and | am very, very un
happy, for never since our engagement
have I loved you as to-day. My littl'
word is that l must always, always low
you. and that | will never marry an,
man but Wilfred Hare. Perhaps SOM
day you will understand and forgive me
and then you will be glad to think o
this"
Very sadly she dropped the tende
little note in the mail-box, very drearil,
she went back the familiar road to he
home.
So absorbed was Saidee, that she di
not see the man walking ahead, VIII
suddenly turned and paused, as if await
ing her. She started as she drew close
and perceived him, her first impulse wa
to flee; she shrank from the sad fac
that she felt now was so like hers.
But it was too late. He had retrace
his steps to meet her and was now walk
ing at her side.
"Saidee," he said softly, "there al
not many days now. Do not send N
away from YOU"
} He made no effort to cloak his tender
ness, either in word OF look. He ha
loved her from the happy time when, ;
children, they had walked this roa
together; she knew it, and it had ono
. been the great sorrow Of her life that 81
+ could not return this love.
Despite the sting of his words, thel
e awoke in her heart pity for him, sue
as she had never known before will,
!, regretful longing that she could n,
have loved him; sudden, strange rea
: ization that she had wasted her affection
t that this mans stanch, loyal heart WI
worth hundred such as WilfrC
Hare's.
:, This last she battled quickly dow
!; not so the pity or the longing. Strang