The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-07-21
And II shall remem-

10 throw nefSeu, Win quick, lmpotuOu6
motion, prone upon the couch, and weep
the first heart-tears she had ever shed.
The drama is ended-Miss Cassilis has
dict when, twenty-four hours later, Claude
Hitler babe his hostess adieu, and with
drew to town on plea of sudden business.
OF course the news reached Gwendoine's
ear.
i have not refused him, she said aloud.
Not even that satisfaction is mine," she
added to herself nor ever will be! It
was only the might have BEEN"
He was not the man. she knew full well,
to plunge desperately into Irritation, or as
| sociate his name at once with another
woman's or to retire later or rise earlier, or
in any way disturb the even tenor of his
way. The difference between them
| was only this-his wound was healing, per-
haps already healed but he would bear its
scar to the grave; hers was fostering sore
! which hurt the more that she had let the
physicians who might work its cure pass
her by.
The summer waned to its close. Nature
had lent autumn its wonderOus paint box
and magic brush and mountain and hill
side were coverted thereby into glorious
beauty. Then came King Frost, first to
heighten by his touch, then to kill, follow
ed by winters tagging footsteps, mercifully
bearing the exquisite white shroud of snow
to cover up all signs of devastation and de-
cay.
The season in the gay world was at its
| height. Occasionally murmurs among the
debutaa.ts for it's honors arose at the fact
| that, though Gwendoline Cassilis' fourth
winter, her former successes paled in its
! more effulgent light.
She and Colonel Hitler constantly met.
She almost wished he might avoid her; but
at their first chance encounter he had APP
| preached with outstretched hand.
How charming you are looking, Miss
| Cassilis!" he had said
And all in vain she had watched for a
tremor in his tone, or a shade of embar-
| rassment in his manner.
only week between him and ship
wreck, /" she thought bitterly 'sAnd he
has sailed so far from the fatal rock that
| doubtless ne would now laugh at his sup
posed danger; and II was weak and vain
enough to think he stood upon the preci-
pieces brink"
The new year had come, and one even
ing Gwendoline stood alone in her fathers
ering darkness when through its sombre
steps.
"A visitor" she uttered, YEARLY; then
waited the inevitable announcement she
knew must follow.
| But, spite of her every effort, she started
| when the servant, throwing open the door,
| uttered Colonel Hiliier's name. Oh how
glad she was that the rooms were not yet
| lighted as she went forward to receive him.
MAY welcome you in darkness?" she
| questioned. @a
"As you WILL" he said. II have but a
few moments to stay. lam come to bid
you goodbye, and to ask you to wish me
bon voyGge."
Bon yoyage You are going abroad?
"Yes; sail on Saturday for India.
hesitated about calling, but my desire to see
you led meoto believe you would pardon my
audacity in supposing my going u question
of enough moment to make it worth spe-
| cial call. -
my friends are always welcome, Colonel
Hitler" said Gwendoline, an icy feeling al
her heart, though she maintained an out.
ward composure II - did not suppose il
necessary YOU should hear that repeated
now.
| Nor is it. It was only morbid fancy on
| nay part which induced me to question it
I shall come back, J. trust, with my mind
clearer. Atleast shall be some years old
or. When return presume shall lool
1 for Miss Cassilis in vain, until find her in
some matron, equally charming. I canno,
imagine her quite staid and portly.
| So he could speak thus lightly of her be.
coming the wife Of another man! And he
was going away; she might never agair
hear his voice or see his face. I was toe
cruel! ~
| He and Fate were too strong for her
The tears had gathered in the grey eyes, bu
the darkness hid them.
He ratified on-she had no need to speak
4 Then he rose to 60.
4 Goodbye, Miss Cassilis! The took he
hand in both his-"good bye! God bless
{. you'll"
i Was it her fancy that, just at the last
his voice trembled?
He crossed the room; he had gained tn
door. Another instant he would be gone
another instant, it might be too late.
4 Claude! she said, softly.
Two strides, it seemed brought him bac
to her.
i "You called me? For what? To max
my going harder?"
! "Oh, is it hard? In mercy, tell me, 70
my heart is breaking!"
t'Your heart breaking! Gwendoline," an
the mans voice sounded strangely hoarse
what does this mean?"
But the sound of her sobs was the onl
:. answer.
Child, be continued, can it be that
have judged you wrongly? Look up my dal
ling! Is it your wish that should stay?"
: Then she found her voice.
II thought you did not love me enough
!; she murmured; "but stay,I will try to mak
you love me more; or, if you must go, tai
me with you. =
June had given place to January, an
. warmth to cold; but where was celdne'
now was warmth, and the winter moon ",
happier than the early June crescent +,
, in Gwendoline's heart was the song of birt
: and the fragrance of flowers, mingling wit
the words which stole softly into her g
while nesting in her lovers arms-h
. words, @my love-my wife"
f How Long Should We Sleep?
j. Felix L. Oswald in Popular Science Month
for July.
i IN IL. -