Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-06-15

ne answered. QulCkiyS L KNOW III was
written on the impulse OF the moment
"But | have it by heart" Then, very
slowly: "You said il your love, in il
heart and strength, was little exciting
mine was cold and tideless; in fact, nc
love, only cold, sluggish affection. You
almost thought was right, and that we
could not be happy. / am naturally
proud, she went on, 'but womaa with
less pride than | could not have acted
differently. Only one course was left To
me-to be silent.
"Well-it is all over now; we shall
probably never meet again"
"You won't take my friendship,
then?"
''No, thank you; You are very gener-
GUS but | do not want that gift"
He drew himself wearily iuto a chair
and for time there was silence. Hope
is 80 subtle, so intangible, that we are
only aware of its existence when il has
ceased to be. Arthur Seton looked upon
himselfas man withouthope. 1t seemed
to him that his life could not be more
desolate than it was, yet who shsll say
what feeling, of which he was not directly
conscious, may have sustained him dur
ing tue last three years? Now everything
seemed gone-there was nothing left for
him but death.
Presently carriage came down the
road; carriage lamps flashed through the
dusk, and grew stationary opposite the
window. Mr.. Hunter bust ed i'll and an-
nounced that the carriage had come for
the young lady, and had done the dis
tance wonderfully quick. THen the door
shut. and they were alone together
again.
Softly and distinctly Seton heard ma
speak his name, "Arthurl" but he dtd
not tmove. LII seemed to him that he would
keep back all his love, clinch fast his
heart till she was gone, and then die
swiftly of the pain.
Arthur, am waiting, dear. Won't
you come? Are you not going to forgive
me?"
He groped his way toward her. She
stretched ont her hand and drew him to
her. Then he bent down: she raised her
face, and the hearts and lips so long
dlsunited came together In long pas
sionate kiss. He knelt down by her, her
head sunk pom his sho ,lders, and for
many minute, they remained thus, lost
in loves profound peace and mystery
And the corks continued to pop, and tue
wagoners on their way to London tramp
ei III and out of the bar, and good nights
were exchanged between customers aud
landlord, and as Arthur folded Alices
mantle around her, she said shyly:
"You are coming back with me to
see mamma, are you not?"
May IL" he answered joyfully?"
So the bedroom which Mrs. Hunter
had been preparing al the afternoon and
of which she was uot little proud, re-
mained unoccupied;, but the payment
was Law .sh and the days lahnr uos not
regretted.
"Ohl that never-to-be-forgotten ride
to Chiselhurst through the wild, windy
evenlngl The rain ceased, and strange
voices were abroad in the wind, singing
lubilantly over love rerisen and redeem
ing. The clouds drifted away, an the
pure, sweet moonlight quivered over wet
fields and trees, and seemed loves ben
edlction.
AhS 4CeAO 10 ACAt w L15
rival home. Arthur was q favorite with
Mrs. Clarefeld, and iii the old days OF
quarrels would always take his part.
When dinner was disposed of Mrs Clare
field pleaded household duties and went
to her room. There she sat down before
the tire and wept, dear soul, over the
happiness of her children. Down stairs
these two were very quiet. To them
love was q solemn thing, and they were
silent lovers. The moments went swiftly
on,
Presently Alice said, Us she looked up
in Arthurs face:
You are not going to continue your
walk to Hastings, this weekl'
He answered with a smile:
But, dear, have pledged my word
of honor TO do SO.
~ command you break it,"
He Gid SO: but mono of his friends
brought it as ali accusation against him
that he for once In his life had broken
his word ofhonor.