The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-01-15

bCo NOW HCCIy SuO I0uuCuCC buC kVSsCUSCV
over met For months had practiced the
yetthe first smile or kiss had proved SUI.
me insufferably the last six months-as put
1t to myself; therefor to grant her at once .
full pardon seemed to me at least matter
for consideration. So, when she returned she
found me absorbed in my documents.
Zone moment, II you pleased" she cried,
taking the pen from my hand and holding 1t
above my head. a.. ~! have present for you
"Why. certainly, II you will give 1t to
me-"
"Then beg for it,"
said nothing, and seized another pen.
That disconnected her.
"Don't you-want it?' she asked timidly.
''There was once saint, named Francis
dc Sales, began to sermOnize, "who was
wont to say that one should never ask for
nor refuse anything"
"YOu are no saint, and It was that spoke
to you. Will you accept my little gift?
Say ycs-if it be only to please-to make
me still happier on this day than already
am"
"Don't be 80 childish, Pauliue!"
lit is childish, l know It; but do me this
favor, George. 1t is 90 little that ask, and
yet 1t would make me so very happy"
~ shall never decline what You offer me.
But be good enough not to disturb me any
Scarcely had these words escaped my lips
when the present, an exquisitely Ornsmented
bronze inkstand, In the shape Of = Cupid,
lay at my feet. Pauline turned away, eXas-
perated and hurt. Ipicked up the pieces.
How! you stoop to get him." she asked
sarcastically.
"Upon my word, you are the most unrea-
s0nable creature In the WOrld!" exclaimed,
Fortunately the little love.sod may 30
mended."
"Yes, but wounds will leave scars. o,
Georgiem she continued, reproachfully, cast.
ing herself down before my chair, "Why do
you tempt me thus: Doyou really, truly love
me?''
"Pauline!" said, impatiently, "do stand
up; this is getting tiresOmc."
She did SO, but deathly pallor mantled
her face.
II will 60: yet one question before. Do
you love me, Georgiew
was \ little fretful and very headstrong.
that was all. But did she mean to threaten
me?
"Did you love me when we first OK.
changed vows Of affectionW she demanded.
"Of course. But"
"But you love me no l0ngerw
"Well. since you will have it So"
"Speak! only speakw
81 don't love-exactly-in the way you
mean.'
An ominous silence followed. She became
so white, gazed at me with so strange, rigid
al00k, that forgot my impotence and self.
will. and said anXiously:
IL don't mean 1t 50 seriously. Good.
ness, how pale you are: Why, l was only
"Icsn bear it, George. Oh, what can not
woman bear-thjs way or that"'
She went, looking mournful, it is true, but
apparently tranquil. dreamed not that
had killed her love for me.
From that time Pauline ceased to be .
child. Butthe sunlight, too, had departed
from her. Silent and selate, but rarely
mild and smiling, she carefully superin.
tended her affairs; she disturbed me no
more. But she grew paler and weaker, so
that the doctor earnestly counseled q trip to
the salubrious South. My business affairs
did not allow Of my travelling, but near &C.
quaintaces were just about making . Jour.
ney to Florida and Cuba. My wife Joined
the party.
Instead Of five, she remained away eight
months. The letters she wrote to me lacked
not In interest; but oh not word breath.
ing affection-eyerything cold and icy.
Vainly sought for syllable that indicated
love, or even her former sprightliness. Now
] suffered the fortunes which I had prepared
for her, and how agonizing they were!
At last she came back. One evening re-
ceived telegram from Hampton Roads,
where the steamer had made stop, In which
Pauline informed me that she would arrive
ct home the following day. How feverishly
I was excited by the tidings! Our estrange.
ment had lacerated my heart go terribly, and
| saw now how deeply l had wronged her,
that 1 fervently longed to win her love ut any
price.
Invent to receive her. l approached her
and embraced her. She returned 1t all, but
there was no life, no love, In the greeting. 1t
was all mere form.
Holding her at some distance from me, I
scrutlnized her closely and inquired: "Pau.
line, arc you not wtll:" Her eye met mine
openly, but l missed the old, affectionate
sparkle.
Perfectly well, George" she reulied.
rather indifferently. ut is so long since /
"a'S scc" vou Vo0V yVu 0ppCOI W ut SOlues
what altered"
As she had gone 50 she came again, 50 she
remained.
For weeks endured this wretched, dead
existence. One morning, as I vainly stroye
to become interested in the newspaper. /
felt more bitterly than ever the full extent Of
my wrong, my joylessness and my isolation.
l rose resolved, and went to her.
''Are you busy ?" l inquired, as she ceased
writing and turned her head.
"Not too busy to speak with you," she re-.
turned.
pauline, how long shall we continue this
mode Of life:''
"what mode Of life, George" she asked,
changing color.
'The lie we are living. 1t is not the I'm.
shadowed, happy life Of yore. You do
not belong to me as you once belonged to
me-"
"1kuow that" She sighed and looked at
me so sadly.
"Why should not the old days return
again! II have made terrible blunder,
is it then impossible for you to forget it?
thought 1t was foolish to love one another
s0-at least to show it; but have discoy-
cred now that love is the only true wisdom
on EARTH"
She smiled in 4 melancholy way.
f'Give me back that love that once re-
pelled: Give me back the sunlight to nv
! World.0