Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-04-08

between us, why il must be So"
81 don't say it need be, mind, " he said,
looking pitifully down at her. 81 can over
look good deal, l love you so much, SO
much God In heaven only knows how
much have loved you. But won't have
the face of that man between us. God mol
mol" and his great shoulders lifted with the
scarcely drawn breath, while dark red
hate smoldered IN his usually soft eyes.
1T shall be just as you say" she muir
INJURED, meekly, without looking up.
at shall be just as you say" he replied.
quickly "Do you think you could learn
to love me again, little?" he asked, the
anger all gone. She was so beautiful.
''Try me, Charlie. You are so strong
and good, and noble: | always felt that
and one cant long like where one can't re-
spect, can one?" Her hands were on his
arm now, and the lovely pleading eyes up
lifted to his.
"You won't see him again?
81 woa't-I swear won't What should
l want to see him for now? she sobbed.
Then, we will wait. This troupe goes
tomorrow. Don't cry, darling; | dare say
it will all come out right" and after few
low-spoken words, the young man left her,
but by no means with peace seated on his
bosom's throne.
Mamma, if anybody comes, say I'm
out, called Margaret, from the top stairs.
"Well, | guess nobody'll be here to-day,
unless it's that actor fellow" Was the re-
sponse. ''Don't walk in the sum-" she
added, for mother and father were proud
of hai do tlxr
wished for her better match than even
their neighbor's son.
Deep IN the woods she struck, determin-
ed never te see that too fair fatal face again.
"He'll be gone tomorrow" " she half sob
bed, holding her hands hard against her
heart "and shall never see him again.
God be thanked! for, oh, dare not trust
myself"
The path, slippery, with pine-leaaves,
led to favorite resting -place-a cleared
spot through which ran a crystal-clear river.
The place combined several distinctiVely
beautiful features. Here she sat down,
unmindful of the singing stream, the soft
shadows, the sweet murmuring of the wind
in the tops of the trees.
A footstep near startled her.
In the river, as IN a mirror, she saw a
vision that had become all too dear to her
a graceful figure Clad in black velvet
the small hat, with its waving plumes, re-
flected, with the outstretched hand that
held it, in the blue depths.
She sprang to her feet a burning flush
spreading over her brow and neck, and
would have fed but that he was beside her
at bound.
"My beauty! my darling my own!"
''Sir, those words are an insult to mel"
she cried with spirit, striving in vain to free
herself from his caressing arm.
can insult would die before | would
offer you an insult, my beautiful. Come
with me; | want to show you lovelier spot
than this-come!" !"
II will not, she said, firmly, wrestling
herself from him, not daring to look up in
his face. "How could you follow me
how dared you?"
Love will dare anything" he said,
gayly, fastening his powerful eyes on her
face, and drawing her glance up to his.
"Come, | will WOO you like Claude Mel
notte." And again he put an arm about
her: but, like flash of lighting, the two
headlong with one blow from the powerful
arm of Charlie Vance.
"Go!" he said, sternly, pointing to the
frightened girl. ~ can save you from his
insolence, but l cannot promise to save you
from yourself. Go, and think on your
broken promises.
Latter in the day Charlie came up to Mar
garet's house and asked for her.
Whatever is the matter with the child ?"
queried The mother. | never saw her in
such low spirits"
The young man made no answer, but
went into the cool, shaded parlor Presently
Margaret came down, white as lilly.
There was an unspoken question in her
wide, fearless eyes.
mo, didn't kill him, Maggie, though he
deserved it. | don't want the crime of mur
der on my soul, even for you my poor girl.
But sent him away as subdued and cool
ed-down man as ever you see. Such men
are always towards. And now, Maggie
you're free. | never should want to think
of the look you gave him while held you
in my arms, and should have to think of
it. I've come to say goodbye, for Pm off
for the West, and if ever I-hellO."
There was low, broken sob, and on his
chest Margaret lay a dead weight. The
girl had tainted away.
Well, long sickness followed. Charlie
could not leave her lying there between life
and death, and the first visit after she could
set up settled the matter. Margaret had
conquered her vanity, which, after all, was
more touched than her affections, and found
that there was only one image in the heart
that had been, as she thought, SO torn with
conflicting struggles-and that was the
frank, honest, blue-eyed Charlie Vance,
who had loved her ever since che was a
baby.
And of course they were married.