Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-03-16

himself ON the sand at Miss Sterne'n
feet, would let his eyes rest dreamily ON
the perfect face, on which neither sun
nor wind seemed ever to rest but with
loving impress.
"Have you picture of yourself?" he
asked her, one day.
"No," she answered II have never
had photograph taken. Strange is it
not?" have always hated the idea OF
having cardboard representation OF
myself in the possession of ones five
hundred friends. If ones picture could
be held by one-the one for whom you
have had it drawn or painted, one whom
you knew would value it as counterfeit
of the real it may be different.
Did she expect that he would answer
II want it! would be that on6l"
Silence fell for moment between
them; then Vaughn sprang to his feet,
and Offering her his arm, they walked
silently back to the h ouse.
That night, as they had finished q
waltz together. he whispered in her
ear:
II am tired of all these people. /
want to be alone. May we not 60 up
for awhile into yonr parlorP"
Certainly" she replied, her mood
always falling in with his, and led the
way, he following.
1t was pretty little room to which
she had brought the stamp of her own
individuality. The music from below
reached them but family; the salt air
from the ocean stirred the draperies
from the window.
Without, the atmosphere was weary,
oppressive, rs though storm were
brooding. 1t seemed TO weigh on
Vaughn Dare's spirit.
He leaned out to look into the night
to try if possible to shake it off. A faint
scream reused him.
Miss Sterne had crossed the room
to her escritoir: o breath of wind
had blown the lace shawl she had thrown
about her shoulders and fastened to her
hair, directly across the flame of the
lamp. Il had instantly tlken fire.
AS instantly, Dare comprehended the
danger. A table stood at his side, cov-
cred with some pretty dainty cloth. He
dragged it off and threw it about her.
Scarce had sixty seconds, passed and
the peril was oYerl Size was unscorohed,
unmarried, but he still held her as he had
caught her-close-wrapped in his arms
-close-pressed to his heart.
One OF his hands was severely burn
ed. He did not even know it, until she
caught and pressed it to her lips,
"For mel" she whispered, Vaughn,
vaughnl 1 love you-I love you'll The
life you have saved is yours,
At her words he slowly opened his
arms and released her from his hold, an
ashen pallor creeping on his face.
She looked up at him in dim bewil-
dered wonderment.
"Wnat is it?" she questioned.
"Only that you have opened heaven
to me, and / must turn away from its
gates. Mad, blind fool that | have been
not to see whittier we are drifting. Laura
/ love you-aye. as you love me-and /
am bound in honor to another woman.
"You mean that you have been enga-
ged to-be-married all this time and
I-Oh, what have L done2" covering her
face with her hands and sinking back in
her chair.
Nothing" he replied, "but what the
lovsl1est, purest of women might have
done. Knowing no evil you thought
none. L"
leave me-" she cried springing TO
her feet. SEQ to the woman who has
the right to claim you. 1 make to heav-
en- but one prayer-that l may never
see your face again!'
But when he had obeyed her, she
crouched down on the floor in her strug-
giles to keep back the moans-aye and
kissed the spot where his feet had rest
| ed.
Calm, silent, impassive all her life, he
had opened the pent-up food-gates oi
her soul, for tllis-for this.
|
We have made mistake. Forgive
me that my eyes have just opened to it,
and that l ask you to release me from
my bonds. thought that loved you