Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-04-23
SAIDEE.

-
looked up with a mischievous express
sion beitting her words, yet underlying
it goodly measure of the rare tender
ness that only woman's face can wear.
Hers seemed a strange face for a lover
to frown upon; but frown he did-uglily,
emphatically.
II am in no mood for jesting, Saidee,"
he continued, glumly, "nor probably
will you be when | 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; Il so hoped you would see its
impossibility and agree with me-"
He 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
she sat, took her hands in his, and
gazed down into her brown eyes long
and steadily. 49,
"Saidee, do you care at all for meP"
he asked, finally.
do | care for you, WilfredP" she
murmured, 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 mel"
His hands fell; he turned away from
her impatiently, with bitter smile.
eff am all the world to you, Saidee,
you certainly have strange way of
showing it. Your words are pretty, but
they do not weigh at all with me. If
you would have me believe you, come
and promise to obey me as a woman
should the man she loves"
He extended his arms toward her as
he spoke; there was look on his face
she could not mistake. She knew it
would be the last, last time, but still she
took 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," ne interrupted, ''and it is only a
waste of words. AS | 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
l 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
over her countenance, and she answered,
brokenly:
Wilfred-"
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 weld to him, to say that there
could be no good bye between them
all and follow him. And so he bent for.
ward for the answer, eagerly, with 6
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 firmness
that had so startled him just now.
eff you so will, you must CO."
They were little words, but he did no
mistake them; the fullest judicial sen
te1ce never weighed more heavily. A
moment he stood regarding her, shakine
with pain and disappointment; a mo
ment passion swayed him, a heeting
wavering impulse, but he quickly
crushed them down.
81 do so will. Saidee." he replied
with scornful emphasis; "and since yoV
object to goodbye, let us make it good
aft rnoon."
This was their parting; so he left her
striding out and past the window b.
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 fcated back to her it san
into a moan.
And this is the end of it ALL" sh
murmured; "when he knows how
love him, when he knows would d
for him. Oh, Wilfred! my love, m
dearest, how could you leave me sol"
. 1t was notstrange that that other tin
should rise vividly before her; that da,
six months ago, when, in this very room
in the first blisslul realization of the
!; mutual passion, he had fallen on h
knees before her, and solemnly affirme
that, come what would, no power {
earth should ever separate him fro,
t her.
Q g. If ever a woman was sure of ma
v Saidee, you are sure of mel"
n What music the words were, thoup
neither of them could foresee the futtl