Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-12-24

udu u SOOO uOfnS WHO ne was mere, ana now
ne has been hurt, and will not get along as fast
as he hoped, and will be so disappointed"-and
little Mays eyes were suhused with tears, for
her warm heart took her brothers trouble to it.
self as strongly rs though 1t were her own.
May Lawrence comforted her BY telling her
that her brother would not be sick long and
that there was much to do In the big city; and
so, in friendly talk and act, the days went by,
and Harvey Saunders slowly grew better. Mr..
Lawrence and the doctor had both become fast
friends Of the young man, who was both intelli-
gent and ambitious. His desire was not wild
schemes, but were ruled by wish to attain to
thorough knowledge Of his business, and to
achieve success through merit. He had not
confined his studies to one subject but had
stored his mind with much useful information,
and both MI. lawrence and the doctor were
surprised TO discover how much he knew.
His sister and May were firm friends for the
little country girl was full Of warm sympathy
for all suffering and she was filed with un-
bounded admiration for the beautiful woman
who had been such good friend to her brother
Two months went by. and Harvey was nearly
well. He had grown to love this beautiful and
accomplished woman. who had been so kind to
him.
Could he help it7
Can any one resist the spell of the charmer,
when it places the one great prize for which the
soul longs within its sight?
He had grown to love May Lawrence, but he
would not tell her of his love, at least not tell
love to offer. He forgot that love is the great
est thing that a man can offer q woman or that
woman can give man. He was so near well
that he had walked out and sought for work,
but had not found it; and during the evening
DR.. Storms had called and told him that q
friend of his. an architect, wished draughts-
man. and asked how he would like the place.
Very much. If can give satisfaction"
~ guess that you can, said the good-humored
doctor; lat any rate. you can try"
oonf r1.H an6c hat Ior
vey should see the architect the next day. He
did. and was given the position, and as the
work was light and he felt able to perform it,
he determined to begin with the Monday of the
coming week.
1t was Thursday, so he had three more DAYS
to be with May Lawrence, for, though he had
determined to take up his quarters in board
ing house Oh Saturday. his sister was to remain
with the Lawrences and study under Mays su-
pervisiOn.
Saturday arrived, and in the afternoon Just
before Mr.. Lawrence came home, May and Har-
vey were alone together.
81 will thank her for her kindness now" he
thought, for may not have as good an oppor-
tunity again."
He loved her. loved her with all the strength
of strong. manly SOUL but he would not tell
her. he had determined that. He would not
tell her, because he was poor. and she-nO
matter what she was, he would not tell her, not
now at least, but man proposes and God shapes
the end.
They were in coy sitting room. and May had
been singing one OF those sweet. old ballads
that touch the soul SO strongly. AS she ceased
he arose from the lounge on which he had been
reclining and came and stood by the chair
wherein she was seated.
IL shall leave your home tonight, Miss Law
renee" he began, land before go would thank
you for the kindness you have shown me-"
'There are no thanks needed, Mr.. Saunders.
You were suffering. and it was not only duty
but a pleasure" and her bright, loving eyes
sent their enhancing light straight to his soul.
He loved her, but he would not tell.
at may have been a duty and a pleasure to
you to bestOw this kindness. 1t was blessing
to me, alone as was in the great city. l can
never tell you how much l value the kindness,
or how fOndy shall remember it.
Her eyes dropped beneath his earnest pas
sionate gaze. and flutter of Joy ran through
her form; to see how strong man worships her
is always pleasing to woman and though he
had not told her that he loved her, her magnetic
power had read the secret of his heart.
You put too much stress upon my kindness;
it is not worth it" she said looking up archly.
He seized her hand. He loved her. but he
would not let her know it; he would not tell her
of it.
at is worth everything to me-" and ere he
knew it, his love came surging up in words that
would not be stayed. 1T has shown me how
much the love of a true woman is worth-it has
made me love yOu-t has filed my soul with
desire to have you ever near me, to possess the
right OF meeting your kindness always. the
knowledge that you are mine, all mine Oh.
May, how can tell you how l love you; how
much you are to me; how all the future, with
its hope and promise, will be but a little to lay
at your feet, if you will be mine? How can I
you are my souls darling; that the earth will
be- oh, so dark, without you! How"
He stopped He had said that he would not
tell her and he had just told her ALL He had
repaid her kindness 10y trying to press his mad
passion on her What would she think of him?
What could she think of him. He covered his
face with his hands, and sank shiyering into
chair.
1t was only for a moment, for then two small,
soft hands were clasping his, and a low. sweet,
loving voice said, ''What is it, Harvey darling!"
and May Lawrence nestled close to him.
He casped her to his heart: was he dream
ing? No; she chung there closely and her will
ling lips were pressed to his. She loved him,
and she was his own, all his own. On, how
bright the future seemed as he sat there with
the knowledge of her love gladdening his soul.
At last he started. Your father, May; what
will he think of me:"
"Only be worthy of me, Harvey, and he will
be content
God helping me, l will be worthy of you.''
Mr.. Lawrence found them together, and knew
the words that settled their loves future had
been spoken. He was proud and honorable
man. and all that he said was $50 that YOU are
worthy. Saunders, and she loves you, am con-
tent"
II shall strive to be worthy of her. and will
not ask her to become my wife tor year, that
you may judge" and SO it was settled that Har-
vey Saunders should go on learning his bust
ness for year ere he claimed his bride.
That evening Minnie Wardell called.
II just dropped in to tell you that am en-
gagged May. l waited an age for you to call on
me, but as you did not, and as our company went
away to-day, thought that l would see what
had become of you"
II have been busy, Minnie; very busy"
"DOing what!"
"Wating on. and caring for a sick man.
Who? That carpenter who fell and was
hurt?"
yes"
''Wel, May Lawrence! why did you not
send him to the hospital? l should have
done so. Only think, you wait on carpen-
ter"
mot only wait on a carpenter, but / am also
going to marry carpenter"
Not that MANI"
"The same"
Min MES eyes opened wide.
"Wel. il did not know that you never told
tibs, May, should cali this one And SO you are
going to marry carpenter. Well, l wish you
joy; you always were strange but this is the
strangest act of ALL
May smiled. '.As you wished me joy, let me