The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-12-30


forcep Release my hands at oncer'
"Not yet" answered Bernard in great
agitation. '.Not until you have heard
me speak. l feel that have now at
least one frail hold upon happiness, and
l cling to it as drowning sailor might
to fragment of wreck. And my life,
what is 1t now but wreck. Maud
Maud, as you may one day have need
to ask for forgiveness yourself, let me
beg Of you to hear mer'
''Release mem was all she said.
With stifled groan he obeyed her.
She was free.
But her arms dropped down to her
side; and after taking one hasty step
towards the door, she paused.
At this instant the church bells ceas-
ed with startling suddenness their clang-
ing peal. The hour of midnight had
almost come.
Trembling in every limb, with her
heart beating almost to suffOcation,
anxious to flee, yet feeling it impos-
sible to move, she stood spell-bound, as
it seemed, by the solemn stiffness all
around.
MAUD" said Bernard, brokenly,
''the bells have done; they will not ring
again till the New Year comes. The
duration of the old year may now be
reckoned by minutes-nay, seconds.
Surely this should be time for me to
invoke all the gentlest feelings of your
nature! BY the love you once had for
me, do not, oh! do not condemn me TO
another year of misery and woe! am
here, an almost hcart-broken suppliant,
and my sole reliance is on wOman's for
giving spirit. have wronged you
Maud: confess to it with grief, with
shame. But how bitterly have repent
ed of that act of folly none can know
except myself-n"ne except myself for
could you guess how bitter, how sincere
has been my repentance. You would at
least have pity for me, if not forgiveness.
Do not leave me, Maud, do not crush
me with despair. Ere the New Year
comes let me hear one word of for
giveness-only one-and will be con-
tent"
Great as was the wrong this man had
done her, Maud felt that the love which
all her efforts had been in vain to cast
out was still dominant in her breast, and
urging her to crush down that resent
ment which she had thought she must
ever bear towards him.
Her brain whirled; she felt sick and
faint; and then came the solemn strokes
of the old church clock striking the hour
of twelve.
I'm another moment" said Bernard,
sit will be too late! Maud-Maud! For
give-forgiver'
One after the other came the strokes
upon the clock until the twelfth was
reached, and then for few seconds,
which seemed like an age to those two
on the veranda, there was again that
impressive silence.
Maud put her hands to her throat
she felt choking. She tried to speak,
but not even a murmur issued from her
lips. Down on his knees sank Bernard;
with outstretched hand he grasped her
dress, and turned his anguished gaze
upon her.
What did he seee Could it be real? A
mist came over his eyes, and then he
felt trembling hand touch his,
while voice in the faintest whisper
murmured:
Forgiven! 'Yes-yes, Bernard! For
givenr'
cat lastr'
With one spring he was on his feet,
and pressing the loved one in those arms
which he had feared would never en-
circle her again.
Then with wild, mad peal the New
Years chimes rang out upon the frosty
air. Now low, then high, and anon
falling into softer cadence, but speak
ing to Bernard's ears with joy inetfable.
And now Maud chung to him, while
she sobbed and cried with hysterical
violence.
Thank you, darling" said Bernard
huskily. "Thank you for those words.
This is indeed a happy New Year's-day
for me! Speak again. darling! Tell me
once more that am forgiven?"
"Forgivenr' sobbed Maud. For
given freely; and what is more, the
past-the dreadful past, which even
now makes me shudder to think about
it-that shall be wholly and absolutely
forgotten as well as forgiven! l will
never speak of it-never allude to it in
any way. Promise me that no mention
of that subject shall ever be made
again"
Heaven bless you, Maud! l fain
would speak; for if you knew all, you
would find some pity for mc!''
mo, no-not word! Not one! We
have both suffered, but the suffering is
over now"
"And you will trust me again?"
absolutely and entirely! have al
ways felt that could never do s"
love conquers, and know - :. are
as dear to me rs you . - "ere"
Again and - aid Bernard clasp
the generous woman to his heart, and
when she heard his vows, uttered with
an impressiveness that left no doubt of
their sincerity, she felt that out of evil
cometh good.
And with soft and gentle step Err
nest stole away unperceived, unheard.
He felt that he could not yet intrude
upon that scene of reconciliation and
trust renewed.