The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-05-13
SBURG, Pa, FRIDAY, MAY 13. 1881.

|
said more than her lips, it would seem,
cared utter; and she trcmblcd slightly as
she said
"Mr. Oakburn, 1wish for my sake you
would go away and never see me any
more
And why do you wish so cruel u
thing dear Mldrcdl' he asked her.
"Becausc--becausc never can he
your wife, she replied, falteringy, her
eyes dropping 81 should be saying what
is untrue if | even hinted that you were
of total Indifference to Inc. regard YOU
with the sincerest and warmest friend
ship but for more than that there is n
barrier between us which never can be
destroyed"
"Oh, do not tell me that y burst forth
Harold, agitatedly "lf you love me, as
| am prcsumptuous enough to believe you
do, why should we not both wait and
hope p
She shook her head and tried to break
away from him
ut is impossible, Mr.. Oakburn; utter
ly impossble!' she exclaimed
"Wcll, one word more" said Harold,
quickly "Why is it that you have
granted me even this brief interview to-
night, when on former occasions you
have scarcely addressed word to
me ?"
The blood rushed like torrent to her
face, and she turned away from him.
"Oh, | don't know. cannot tell you
now, Mr.. Oakhurn,' she answered.
"Goodnight You must let me go,
really
"Very well. Goodnight may
come and see you again, | supposeY
'As you please, of course she said,
not very graciouSly, as she swept past
him in her hrocade dress, just rs the call
boy shouted her name.
oldqutted the green room, glanced
at her for Il moment rs she stood placid
ly awaiting her cue, chen left the theatre
aud walked home in the falling snow.
Mircd Gastron was decidedly u mystery,
and as such even Harold Oakburn no "
began to regard her.
lie was not quite pleased with himself
for caring for her 80 much, or with her
for her apparent GOODNESS and indit'er
cncc, and angry feelings rankcd with
in him for more than week against the
woman he loved.
lie dimcd ut home every night during
that time, rc-cslablishcl himself in hi,
parents good graccs, ana even showed
mere than ordinary attention TO Laur:
llewctson.
But only for weck-thcn he hun
gered for the sight of Mildred-longed
to see her again, if only from distance
and to hear her voice, even though she
might not grant him a word.
lie reached the theatre one evening
in company with friend. and met ole
Karl Kirkland, the prompter, in the
doorway.
If there was n creature Harold Oak
burn detested in this world it was the
aforesaid individual, who had more thai
once interrupted him while cOnversine
with Millred-in what seemed to him ;
most insolent and interfering manner
lie was wretched-looliing, wien
faced man,with limping gait and sharl
piercing eyes.
"Oh, its you, is it p he said, survey
ing Harold from head to foot. Well
er--I-dont think Miss Garston will SCI
you tonight"
Harold colorcd anglily.
"WLat business is il of yours?' |
asked, hotly. did Miss Garston scn'
you to deliver the message"
We'll, not exactly said old Karl
hestating and looking ut Harold Il
though he might have said n great dea
; more he choose but still-l-l-
; "iStand back, then, and let us pass,
he interrupted him. Indignantly. "Wha
l right have you to deliver messages frol
} Miss Galston without leave and pusl
ing roughly by the old prompter, Han
: old led his companion away to the greer
t room.
Old Karl stood chuckling and rul
=, bing lis withered palms together, an
4 then went of, ,grUmbling to himself som
T. inaudiblc words, among which Mildred
p name was the only one Ineligible.
She was in her usual reserved an
pcnsivc mood-acknowledged the intro
e duction TO lIai'old's friend with perfeC
' grace, but showed no inclination to en-
| ter into conversation with either.
The latter, who had come to witnes
: the performance, left them shortly after
ward to take his seat in the stalls AM
thus, for few moments, Mildre,
and her lover were once more alone.
+ The annoyance old Karl had cause'
him by his importiucncc was for the tim
forgotten in the pleasure he felt at bcin
again with Mildred, who, however
showed no sign of pleasure, and remain
: ed cold and silent beside him.
"Arc you offended with me for con
ing again, Mildrcd!' he asked her {;
length.
"By no means, 1t is your own alia
I entirely, Mr.. Oakbmn, she answered hin
without lifting her eyes.
l. What is the matter, then, with 20
) to-nighG' he asked again.
"Nothing more than usual"
"Wont you favor me with your col
i fdence!' Harold inquired. "Iou toI
y me, last time saw you, that you +
gardcd me as friend, Give me pro-
= it, then-tel me what this sorrow is,M
Is dred, and | will do my utmost to advi
:; and help you.
tt a sickly smile passed over her love
features, and she looked timdly arour
) AS if to assure herself that they we
It alone. suddenly as she turned and seiz,
T. IIarolds hand, while she spoke in
II hoarse whisper
W you love me. You have asked II
more than once to be your wife, and
Il, have told you how impossible it
,u Listen, then, and | will tell you more
III what this barrier is that exists betwe
~ us. Swear, first that you will never !
'e veal it--swcar solemnly, by all you no
most dear-for it is n secret, and o
ne which dread to reveal Quick-qui
III least hc-lrast we are intenupte,