The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-09-23

misery. And, whether you marry her or
not. shall never marry you. No more
need be said. Good-by, Kenneth. We
will not meet again if I can prevent IT,
81 had been strong, cruel, if you will;
but just at the last my voice quivered.
It was very hard to be stern then very
hard to see him standing there in his
splendid, manly beauty, yearning to
take me to his heart and hold me against
the world, and then to turn away to take
up again my old desolate life. Some
Power higher than myself gave me cour-
age and strength in THAI hour. One mo-
ment my hand was pressed in his, and
the next he held the door open as I
passed out. I have confused vision of
sad, stern face that bent toward me as
if struggling to speak, and then stood
proudly erect as if he accepted the worst
that fate might infict. &
I loved Kenneth more than I knew.
until the inseparable barrier arose be-
tween us. His word was pledged and
should not be violated for me-; that T
resolved, and yet I cannot picture one
tenth of the agony that resolve cost me,
not only on my own account, but on
his. I'D .-~.sE- #
eve met the next day at breakfast,
dinner and tea, but were not alone to-
gether for an Instant. would always
manage to have Milly with us. When I
announced my intention of leaving the
following day she frightened percepti-
bly,. Kenneth was civil to us both,
nothing more. ID .s...s.
There was no congeniality between
Milly and myself, and therefore no con-
fidences. The last evening Of my stay,
however, said to her IT wish you
happiness, Milly. Kenneth has told me
of your engagement. She smiled and
answered !: Dear Kenneth {! I am sure
I shall be happy with him. 1883.
ooh, howl hated her at that moment |!
I soon made pretext to leave her room.
Kenneth was haunting the hall awaiting
my appearance. He detained me by
gentle force, and said. Come into the
library, Myra.'
IT quoted my uneasy conscience by
saying to myself, Surely, I may see
him this once; tomorrow I CO. I
took my old place by the window, but
the air was cold and the room strangely
cheerless. Kenneth lowered the win
dow and leaned against it. T sat with
downcast eyes. I felt that he was look
ing at me, and I toyed nervously with
the fringe of my shawl. The silence
was becoming painful. I lifted my eyes.
"'You had something you wished to
say to me- i
"'Yes, Myra! I have become in
some degree reconciled to your decision.
I can see it is best. With your encour-
agement and example it will be possible
for me to keep my honor safe from
further doubt. And yet I believe a
strong AMI pure friendship is still pos
sible between us-a friendship that will
wrong no one.'
" believe SO, too and yetit must be
SO strong that it will need no reassur
ances. We must indulge no hope of
meeting
" Still cruel, but right. understand
the purity of your motives, and but love
you the more. I have little token of
remembrance for you, Myra,' he said,
dawing small velvet case from his
procket. Wear it, dear friend, as
souvenir of our eternal fidelity and the
purity of our resolves
HE took my hand and placed this
cameo on my finger, and it has never
been removed. I gave him slender
gold ring Of mine in exchange. Our
love is unchanged and Interchangeable. In
three months he and Milly were mar
ried, and have heard that he is kind
husband 1ls,5 .<-,-.. ~. -. ,....-
Her voice sunk almost to
whisper. I pressed my face against
hers trvinr IN ovrrooo nv, cx,~ooo4l,,
We sat thus a few minutes then she
Lifted her head, saying, sc It was wrong
in me to trouble you with my private
griafs.' .........'' .....- J..
:" No, it was not wrong. I shall re-
spect you all my life for knowing of
your temptation and your triumph. A
weaker woman would have yielded you
were firm, and I honor you, Cousin
Mirabel."
"A sense Of having done right has a
wonderful power to sustain one," she
answered, "and am not unhappy, ex-
cept at long intervals, when I am over
whelmed by the memory Of what might
have BEEN. Generally after such day
as this [ hear news Of Kenneth. Two
years ago to-day I wandered up and
down the beach, thinking of him, and
that very night I heard that his wife
was dead and that he had sailed for
Europe" $685.. "-...s.,~ ID ~
"And have you heard nothing from
him since?" I asked, in surprise.
Mot a word, but I know he has not
ceased to love me, and he has some good
reason for not writing Her absolute
belief in his devotion was something
wonderful to behold. The clock struck -.
and we arose and babe each other good
night; the fire had long been out, and
q dismal rain was falling. s..-,,-..'..e
The next morning was bright and
beautiful all the clouds had cleared
away, and Cousin Mirabel was positively
radiant. 81 had the sweetest dream, y
she said, in answer to my compliment
On her looks. While we were enjoying
a coy and delicious breakfast there came
8 rap at the door. A messenger from
the village hotel had brought note for
my cousin. She did not recognize the
writing, but tearing it open hastily she
saw at the bottom Of the page the name
of Kenneth Deering." She ran Der
eyes over the note; saw good news in
her face, and was not unprepared for
her joyful exclamation: 90, Clara
Kenneth is at the village, snd will be
here to-day" She caught up the note
q roo1 froyo