The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-05-26
until she looked for his replies almost
10 Elco ...N r..

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bend and kiss my lips.'
And SO to this unknown king she
wrote. ...
The replies became more frequent,
more ardent, until at last there came
4 letter when Frederic Houghton asked
Elsa to become his wife.
With tears Of joy in her bright blue
eyes she brought this, like the others,
to Gertrude.
"Answer him." she said, "and tell
him yesl yesl yes!''
Slowly Miss Meyer read the letter
through. ...
From hence came this dull pain at
her heart. ......
a mist swan before her eyes.
The written characters were blurred
from her sight.
By a powerful effort she controlled
herself, and spoke with some degree of
calmness.
''Not this, Elsa" she said.
'"Ihis you must answer yourself"
ooh, no, mol cannotl
snake it yet more beautiful than the
others, Gertrude.
'"The regiment is ordered home again
he writes; so. there will be no more
letters atleast, until after we are mar
RED and then there will be no more
need Of poetry. lie will not miss its
absence"
"No need of poetry?''
"Ah," thought Gertrude, "then was
loves perfect fulness but prose?''
'Let me be alone" she said aloud.
"This evening will send you your
letter.
Giving orders not to be disturbed, she
seated herself at her desk, but one by
one two scalding tears fell from the
beautiful, proud eyes upon the blank
page spread before her.
They were the unconscious baptism
OF her awakened womanhood.
Then she wrote, but it was her heart IS
blood, rather than the ink, which spread
itself upon the sheet whereon she i'm
pressed her soul.
81 give you ALL" she wrote, "my
past, my present, my future.
ITO me l 500 but two wOrds-hus-
band and wife!"
''They are emblazoned in letters of
gold within the shrine where my soul
kneels and worships.
Frederic, love youl''
Her pen dropped from her hand.
Had she Indeed written the words, or
was 1t her heart which had cried them
aloud III the stillness2
A hundred mocking demons took up
the cry and echoed it.
She heard it everywhere around about
her.
She saw it blazoned in the air.
She sank trembling on her knees,
and buried her face in her shaking
hands.
She and her secret were face to face
at last.
She had sold her birthright for a mess
of pottage.
In the evening, true TO her promise,
ELSA received the letter, but unfinished.
add to it what you will" wrote
Gertrude, 81 could not close it fitting
ly."
But Elsa sent the copy with no added
words.
Another fortnight and the regiment
had arrived.
A month passed but Gertrude and
Frederic Houghton had not met.
Once he had called with Elsa, but she
had not been at home.
by a singular coincidence it was at
another OF Madame Froissart's recep-
tions that fate threw them again to-
gether.
For moiiioiit hor hand had rested
IN his and his keen eyes searched her
face.
Then Elsa came to claim him for a
dance, and they separated.
Midnight had sounded, when some
one asked Gertrude for song.
Many joint in the plea.
Giving u somewhat reluctant consent,
she took hor seat at the piano in the
little music room, the curtains divid-
ing that from the drawing-room drawn
aside.
She hestated a moment, then struck
the. chords, and soon the rich, sweet
voice filled the space.
sit wasa dream" was the song she
had chosen, and the pathos of voice
and words brought quick tears to many
eyes.
AS the last echo died away, amid q
murmur OF applause and admiration, Il
man bent close beside her.
"Come into the conservatory a mo-
ment," he said.
II wish TO speak to you."
She let him place her hand within his
own and lead here where he would.
Among the plants and flowers he
turned to her. ii 3 a@ s..
''I must speak, ;" he said. $50.
OH shall know how l have loved
you!
''In another month to tell you would
be sim" -. -.
els not your betrothal, then, as sac
red as your marragep" she questioned.
"NO." he answered; "fOr Sometimes,
Gertrude, feel it would be greater sin
to redeem than break my pledge.
'Listen to me-"
"You knew tho old love l bore you,
though never spoke in words.
''Oh, heart Of ice! had you not one
throb for the anguish endured?
;"Coldly you sent me from you to an
other. ..,...
"She welcomed me with smile-yo,l
had dismissed me with frown.
''She warmed me in the sunlight
you chilled me in the shadow. (.
''For a little time sought diversion
and forgetfulness. rss
"In the latter failed sadly.
"With gladness hailed the outbreak
which brought my regiment into service
again.
"Elsa's regret at my leaving her soft