The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1880-06-11
SAIDEE.

"Saidee."
cat your service, Sir Wilfred." From
the CAV worsteds she was sorting, she
looked up with mischievous express
sion belitting her words, yet underlying
it a goodly measure of the rare tender
ness that only woman's face can wear.
Hers seemed n strange face for lover
10 frOwn upon but frown he did-uglily,
I" am in no mood for jesting, Saidee,"
he continued, glumly, "nor probably
will YOU be when l tell you that what
we have so long debated must be de-
cided between us now."
The sunny smile died from her coun-
tenance; the rare tenderness seemed but
the rarer for its gravity.
81 am sorry, Wilfred," she answered
softly; 81 so hoped you would see its
impossibility and agree with me-"
lie could but read how she loved him,
but he read something else now in look
and tone-something that momentarily
banished the frown and paled his hand
some face. With passionate impulse
he arose, and, crossing over to where
she3 sat, took her hands in his, and
gazed down into her brown eyes long
and steadily.
tDstttt, wv you tait ht oii w ih'.
he asked, finally.
"Do [ care for you. Wilfredp" she
murmurcd, reproachfully, yet with the
rapture of his touch reflected in her
face" do care for youp Oh, how can
you ask me that, when you know that
there is only you only you in the whole
wide world for me!'
His hands fell; he turned away from
her impatiently, with a bitter smile.
"If / am all the world to you, Saidee,
you certainly have - strange way oi
showing it,. Your words are pretty, but
they do not weigh 1T all with Inc. II
you would have me believe you, come
and promise to obey me as woman
should the man she loves"
lie extended his arms toward her as
he spoke; there was a look on his face
she could not mistake. She knew it
would be the last, last time, but still she
look no step forward; she simply stood
terrified, appealingly gazing up at him.
"Wilfred-"
He was frowning again, now deeper
than before.
II know what you would say, Sal
dee," he interrupted, "and 1t is only n
waste of words. AS i said before, your
words have no weight with me; it is
enough for me that you are ready to
have me go away alone. And, as now
shall go tomorrow, we MAY as well
say goodbye"
She had not taken her eyes from his
face, and he still looked back at her
steadily, relentlessly. AT his last word
she shivered, death-like pallor spread
overher countenance, and she answered,
brokenly:
Wilfrod-b
He did not interrupt her now; he
bent forward with conscious eagerness
for her words. His own were honest
but he felt certain of their effect; he did
not doubt that, in this decisive moment,
he would gain her to his will. She
would surely not let him go; she was
about to yield to him, to say that there
could be no good bye between them
that, sooner than this, she would abjurG
all and follow him. And so he bent for.
ward for the answer, eagerly, with q
certain hope.
"Wilfred, If you so will, you must
go, but l can never say goodbye tc
you"
That was what she said, brokenly
tenderly, yet with the gentle frames
that had SO startled him just now.
"If you so will, you must CO."
They were little words, but he did no
mistake them; the fullest judicial sen
tence never weighed more heavily
moment he stood regarding her, shaking
with pain and disappointment; a mo
ment passion swayed him.. a fleeting
wavering impulse, but he quickl
crushed them down.
"I do so will, Saidee." he replied
with scornful emphasis; and since yol
object to goodbye, Oct US make it good
afternoon"
This was their parting; so he left her
striding out and past the window D.
which she sat. She did not turn; sh
sat, fixed and rigid, listening to his re
| treating footsteps, each of which was
knife stabbing deep down In her heart
AS they died away she started up as
to follow him, her lips parted with
PASSIONATE cry; but as suddenly his cut
ting words floated back to her it san
into a moan.
"And this is the end of it allw sh
murmured; "when he knows how
love him, when he knows ] would di
for him. Oh, Wilfrcd! my love, m
dearest. how could you leave me sol"
1t was not strange that that other tim
should rise vividly before her; that dag
six months ago. when, in this very room
in the first blissiul realization Of thei
mutual passion, he had fallen on hi
knees before her, and solemnly nfl;rme
that, come what would, no power O
earth should ever separate him fror
her. i
u "Ifever woman was sure of mar
Saidee, you are sure of meW
What music the words were, thoug
neither of them could foresee the lutur
and the sore test that awaited then
All seemed bright ahead; they were y
be married in six months time, and sh
where he had secured governmci
appointment.
! There seemed no need of the passion
ate protestaiions. the solemn oath {
this fond lover; their truth was to b
tried. In the fifth month of their en-
gagement. Aunt Ruth-of whom Saide
was the especial pet and protege-wa
thrown from her carringe and receive
injuries which, though 1t was not bt
. heved they would prove fatal, left he
in q very critical and apprehensive stat
True. the wedding-day was name
and Wilfred must go; true, there wer
loving hearts beside FSaidee to care fo
! poor Aunt Ruth. but i. seemed to he
{ tender nature most a crime To leav
t, her at least, until danger was positiyel
/ past. And when, one morning, the oil
u lady drew down the fair face TO her
and whispered. implorinely, "You wi
not leave me, pct. viii @ there is dout
I - a 4.