Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-02-08


me. ministerinP to me.
AS grew stronger came to see what
thorough woman though she was
she strove to conceal-a love for which
was most unwishful, most unworthy.
Dear, what could 1 do? Nv honor LED
me through dishonor-I married her
She Is eere to night at the hotel-sht
and my baby. "Why don't you curse
me, lva?' lifting 10 hear an auguishcd,
pallld face. Had ever man NOR,
bitter task than mine has been to-
night?"
Stonily the girl had heard him. Ever,
tInge of color had faded from her face
and left it deadly white.
''You love her?" she questioned very
low,
He dropped his dark young head with
a groan.
God help me" he said, no
''Cyril!'' cried fond, proud voice
from the doorway; SIS it you, Cyril my
darling boy ?and did not hear you
come
And his mother had rushed across
the room and elasped hun in her arms.
''Wait moment, mother" drawing
back hastily from her embrace and STAN
ding up before her all white and nerv-
Gus. 81 have something to tell YOU first
l am married"
"What?"
She staggered back as though from a
blow
Yes, have told Iva" he began his
voice low and hurried.
But she silenced him with one swift
imperious gesture. Now you saw that
her stern old face did not belle her. 1t
was flashed darkly with passion her
eyes were blazing.
''And you dare-you dare to come and
tell this to me-me?-;n the presence of
the girl TO whom you were bound in
honor! Out of this house, Out this
moment, 1 say! You are no son of
mine"
He did not cry for mercy a. a weaker
man might have done. His temper was
a reflex of her own. He turned to goas
quietly as he had come, On the sill he
turned simply as a sob smote upon his
ear, To his dying day he never forgot
the picture that met his eye.
And William Lawrence, entering un-
announced with the freedom of an old
friend. drew back in bewildeTment.
In the centre of the rich. gaslit room,
stern and dark-browed and unyielding
as was ever n mother Sparta, Mrs. Cal
vert stood; and at her feet, where she
had flung herself in passionate applica
ton, the kneeling figure of the girl, all
shimmering IN silk and costly lace and
pure pink blossoms. Her clasped hands
wore uplifted lnploringly: her lovely;
tear wet, childish face was white and
quivering.
'Aunt Adelaide - Aunt Adelaide
don't Remember if you loved him;so
did l."
The man in the doorway caught his
breath sharply, and Cyril Calvert dashed
away with hasty strides into the stormy
November night.
''God bless her! God bless her!-my
first and last lovc.''
Goodbye, dear. It's getting late
/ must be going"
Anu little sombre clad figure by the
fire lad gently down the Guild she had
scothed to sleep, and began putting on
her wraps.
Cyril Calvert's wife, pretty, fragile
English girl, with eyes too bright for
health and a scarlet spot on either cheek
rose too.
''It's too dark to go alone, Iva. Wait
for Cyril"
mo, no, dear" hastily.
''Is she as hard as ever, Iva?''
Iva shook her head sadly.
'.Yes, the struggle between her love
and pride is fearful. 1t is eating away
her life"
I'm sorry we ever came, Alice CAL
vert said, fretfully. "Cyril would have
it so, and now have not the strength
nor the means to leave. He is working
very hard. but journalism gives very
hight support to novice. Without you
Iva, do not know what We would do.
You. and that anonymous friend who
is so inexpressIbly good to US. Yester-
day there came basket of hot house
fruit. l saw the gentleman as he stood
with the messenger at the corner OF the
street pointing out the house. His
face was so strange TO me, but l shall
know him if 1 ever see him again. 1t
must have been from him there came
two months ago, when We were so hard
up, that $50 bill in the printed enve-
Iope."
God bless him for good and true
friend, who ever he is.
"Good night. Ival'
GOOD night Aiicep'
And she kissed the baby and his mo-
ther and went away, A block from the
house she met William Lawrence, aSd
they walked home together thr ough the
snow and starlight.
Just one year from that night when
Iva Russell WAS waiting for her lover,
William Lawrence stood on old Mrs.
Calvert's doorstep
He sent up his card TO Iva with one
line inscribed on the back;
ssShe is dying. Come
Ten minutes later they were walking
swiftly toward the city in the frosty,
yellow twilight.
s.How did you know it, Mr.. Law
rence?"
81 was passing, and, having heard
that she was very i'll, stopped to IN
quire."
What clear, crisp, amber night.
Bright and bracing and invigoratlng,
with breath of winter on its frosty
sweetness.
Even Iva Russell, pale and worn from
nursing poor Alice Calvert, felt a
strange, new thrill of peace and happI-
ness.
They went together into the dark,
ened room. Cyril, kneelinS by the bed
mis- face buried in his hands and not
looking M.
..Iyal Iyal" Alice Calvert's hot fin
gers closed feverishIy over her friends.
"Who-is tbis?"
William Lawrence came a step for
ward into the light.
eyes. it is he" cried the DIVING wom-