Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1880-12-08

her, steadily, relentlessly' AT hla las
word she shIvered, q death'Iike pallo
spread over her counlenance, and sh
answered bIokenlyi
"Wilfred-"
lilo did not interrupt her now b'
bent forward with conscious eagornes
for her words, His own were honest
bot he felt certain Of their effect h'
did rot doubt that, 10 this decisive
moment, .he would gain her to BIZ
will. She would surely not lot hin
60 she was about to yield TO him, "a
say that there could be no good-by
between them that, sooner than
this, she would abjare all aud follow
him. And 50 hc bent forward for the
answer, eagerly, with u certain hope.
"WilGed, It you so will, you must
20, but ] can never say goodby to
you"
That was what she said, brokonly,
tcnderly, yet with tho gentle iirmno<s
that had so startled hun just now,
III you so will you must 60
A moment hc stood regarding her,
shaking with pain and disappcinl'
ment a momentary passion swayed
him a hecling, wav"ring impulse, but
ho quickly crushed 1t down.
N do 50 will, Saidcc,' he replied,
with scorntul emphasis sand since
you object to good by, let us make it
afternoon"
This was their parting, so lie LETT
her, striding out and past the window
by which she sat.
"And this is the end Of it all, sne
murmured; "when he knows how l
love hlm, when he knows how l
would die for him Oh, Wilfred, my
love, my dearest, how could you leave
me so !!
1t was not strange that that other
time should rise wildly before her !
that day six months ago, when, in
this very room, in the first blissful
realiazation of their mutual passion,
he had fallen on his kpees before her,
and solemnly affirmed that, come
what would, no power on earth should
ever separate him from her.
eff ever n woman was sure OF a
man, Saidee, you are sure of me "
What music the words were, tho
neither of them could toresee 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 60 away with
him to Brazil, where he had secured q
government appointment.
There seemed no need for the pas
sionate protestations, as the solemn
oath of this fond lover their truth
was to be tried. In the fifth month
of their engagement, Aunt Ruth-o
whom Saidee was the especial pet and
protege--was thrown from her car
riage and received injuries which,
though it was not believed they
would prove fatal, left her in a very
critical and apprehensive state. ..
True, the wedding day was named
and WiIfred must go; true, there
were loving hearts besides Saidee te
care for poor Aunth Ruth, but il
seemed to her tender nature most {
crime to leave her, at least, until dang
er was positively past. And when,
one morning, tine old lady drew dowr
the fair face to hers, aud whispered
imploringly, "You will not leave me
pet, while there is a doubt Of my get
ing we'll ." she promised unhesitating
ly that she would not.
Perhaps if she had known Wilfre(
Hare better, she could not have prom
ised SO readily. But she knew hin
only as the tender lover, the man VIII
hand sworn that, come what would
no power on earth should ever seper-
ate him from her. 1t could be easil.
settled. she thought /; he, as she
would feel very sad and disappointed
but he, as she, must see the impossl.
bility of her going now. They coul'
be married. and, az soon as Aun
Ruth was decided ont of dlnger, sh
would 60 to him.
All this in full trust and faith sh
confded to Wilfred Hare. She wa
i'll prepared for the reception he
words met, the imperious workings o
this mans will. What right had she
without consulting him even, to max
a promise 10 any one that'condicte
with her own to him' His love CAV
him the right 10 command her; ifsh
loved him she would obey. She mus
marry him and 60 away with hin