New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-29

How lovely how calm. how still il was. Scarcely
sound broke the quiet save the cIickets singing ~
the grass, and the low measurer spiash OF vars,
some where far up the river. Silence heeEcd 10 SUI
the time and the hour better than words, ana hutl,
VEINS eyes. darkly sad full OF repressed Iohgne' o
bitter regret, ever sought those OF the woman 10y
his side.
Sought yet seldom met for Miily seemed alb
sorhed bv the beauty OF the scene around them
Idlv pluckinc this leaf or that, at last Rnthven
culled tiny spray OF green which gave ou,i
FAINT and pungcnt scent, as he ruined Ii IL h''
What do Won call thisp he said. 1T is n very
old-iashOned plant. am sure. for II recalls TO my
mind going 10 afternoon service WIN my nurse
when | was 50 small that had To be hoisted on 10
the seat of our family pew. and always on the
point of slipping of again. My nurse carTi'l
clean handkerchief, folded ana lali upon H'ii
praycr-book and in its Ids one or two sprays OF
this sweet-smclling green thing, Whatever IL MAY
You're right. my boy said Sir Godfrey, it is an
old asiOned kind OF plant, ana country loh Cil II
Ruthyen' with one quick flashing glance at Milly,
the while hot flush rose to his checks. dropped the
little spray of bue-green leaves as if 1t had sud
'Lsi's love- he thought bitterly walking in
silence by her side. Yes. that is what she deems
the love offer her. She takes me for n mere boy
who does not know his own mind whose vanity Is
battered by clever woman notice. $500,
But Mllv did not let hun GO without word
Inst n the last when Sir Godfrey had SAID good
night and turned homcward, she fingered;
DO not think me ungrateiul. Ruthven she sald:
WONG me cruelty If you did. | Will write To yon
and tell you all / could not say before Be sure !
car never forget-nO woman can torgct-a man WHO
has once loved her.
For moment he thought a strange stir and
qutver passed across her face: but when he looked
again il was gone, and Milly, calm as any, St
Cecilia listening TO the strains of her own evoking
and looking hcavcuward the while, stood before
him with a smile upon her lips and grave sweet
eyes meeting his unfaltcrngly.
Then she left him. And he, standing there bare
headed i'm the shadowv lpht watched her 90. not
ing the grace CT her gait and the sweeping dow OF
All at once she turned. and waved her hand a
moment in adieu. Then the turn of the path hid
her from his sight. ,
woman | have ever known pOndrred luthvcn rs
he went on his way; hut she is cold and passion
less. She docs not know perhaps has never KNOWN
what love is.
Wcanwhilc. Mily too went on her way.
Halfway mp the garden she stopped an instant 10
raise something from the ground, thrust it inro ner
bosom and went into the house, where for the rest
of the evening she read alond to old Sir Godfrey or
chattcd to hun of such things as he loved best to
Inst as the moon was rising and spanning the
river with pathway of silver beams. M:llicent
Warner retired Ia her chamber, locked the door
behind her and found herself face TO lace with her
Oh poor little dropping spray of grccnery, If
tears and kisses could have given you back your
freshness. then had Won never faded.
When the first faint gray touches OF morning
woke the river from its sleep beneath the kisses Of
the moon that shone no more, the woman who was
cold and uassionlrsS' who did not know what
love was still sat by the open window.
She seemed to have grown old IN nieht. Her
face looked gray in the gray hight: there were dark
shadows Lcncath her eyes, and sad lines about her
mouth. $500,
A. Jacob wrcstci with Che angel. so had Aily
wrestlcd with that hot rehciiIous heart OF hers
that now. crushed and bleeding seemed TO her dim
ewes to take the sembance of y vanquishcd foe.
She had won n hard fought victory. She would
stretch forth her hand to reap harvest Of sweet
content no dear and passionate delight. whose
aftermath should b. 10 herself bitterness and s,ll-
reproach and u Rutbvcn Dyott-
Ab. She dared not think Of that, This no
sorrow t. he dwelt upon hut one IN which the only
hone Of strength Law IN avoidance.
Wan worn, palll, Miliccnt was nevertheless
Vet the BIRDS beneath her window, Vim 2 sweet
greeting to the new day, seemed singing tlr coro-
mach o. q life IS buried JOY.