The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-07-21
"AndI-I shall remem.

mouon, prone upon the couch, and weel
the first heart-tea she had ever She d.
The drama is ended-Miss Cassilis ha
refused him!" This was the general YER
dict when, twenty -four hours later, Claud
Hitler babe his hostess adieu, and with
OF course the news reached Gwendoline'
ear.
/ have not refused him, she said aloud
Not even that satisfaction is mine,'' sh,
added to herself-stnor ever will be! I
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, OF
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
helghten 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 it's
| height. Occasionally murmurs among the
debutaaets for it's honors arose at the fact
that though Gwendoline Cassilis' fourth
winter, her former successes paled in its
| more efulgent 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
Cassilisw he had said.
And all in vain she had watched for a
tremor in his tone, or 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 he 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
drawlng-room looking out at the fast-gath-
erng darkness when through it's sombre
shade she saw figure pass and mount the
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, N.
AS you will, he said II have but
few moments to stay. lam come to bid
you goodbye, and to ask you to wish me
bon voyage.'
Boz, yoyage! You are going abroad?s
"Yes; sail on Saturday for India. I
hesitated about calling, but my desire to see
you led Ito believe you would pardon my
audacity in supposing my going question
OF enough moment to make it worth spe-
cial CALL
My friends arc always welcome, Colonel
Hitler, said Gwendoline, an icy feeling at
her heart. though she maintained an out
ward composure II did not suppose it
necessary you should hear that repeated
now"
"Nor is it. It was only morbid fancy on
nay part which induced me to question it.
| shall come back, ] trust, with nv mind
clearer. Atleast shall be some years old
er. When return presume shall look
for Miss Cassilis in vain, until I find her in
some matron, equally charming. I cannot
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 again
hear his voice or see his face was too
cruel!
He and Fate were too strong for her.
The tears had gathered in the grey eyes, but
the darkness hid them
He ratified on-she had no need to speak.
Then he rose to 60.
Goodbye, Miss Cassilis!'--he took her
hand in both his-"good bye! God bless
you'll"
. Was it her fancy that, just at the last,
his voice trembled?
He crossed the room; he had gained the
door. Another instant he would be gone
another instant. it might be too late.
Claude! she said, softly.
Two strides, it seemed, brought him bac
to her. =
"You called me? For whatp To make
my going harder?"
"Oh, is it hard? In mercy, tell me, for
my heart is breaking!"
Your heart breaking! Gwendoline," and
the mans voice sounded strangely hoarse,
what does this mean?"
But the sound of her sobs was the only
answer.
Child" he continued, s'can it be that I
have Judged you wrongly? Look up my dar-
ling! Is it your wish that should stay?"
r Then she found her voice.
II thought you did not love me enough, I"
she murmured; "but stay will try to make
you love me more; or, if you must go, take
me with you. u II,
June had given place to January, and
warmth to cold; but where was 'celdness
now was warmth, and the winter moon was
happier than the early June crescent-for
in Gwendolines heart was the song of birds
and the fragrance of flowers, mingiing with
the words which stole softly into her ear
while nesting in her lovers arms the
words, my love-my wife,
How Long Should We Sleep?
Felix L. Oswald in Popular Science MONTHLY
Rn~ T,,lx,