The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-11-08
he'd; always her fare burned and her
hands wero icy and powcrless.

hnhua Wefn icy anu poWefless.
She heard clock strike twelve.
Perhaps he would not return: per-
haps he had done this to revenge HIM
self-to rouse her hopes, knowing her
distress, and disappoint them.
She felt the need Of composing her.
self to rest, since on the morrow she
must search anew.
+. Tho rent was due; cold weather com.
ing on. Work must be found.
Mcrciful heaven what longings, what
anxiety!
Sleep? Sho dozed u little, despite
tho gnawing pain. Perhaps this was
hunger: she had not eaten since morn
ing. Hunger and heartache.
The clock struck again over tho
silence-twicc.
Why, then, did sho still 1.-Two? Why
had she not died that night, when the
pistol-shot seemed to pierce her own
brain as it had pierced her fathers?
Why had she not died when the news
Ind come OF her lovers fate? Lost Mt
sea! All, heaven! Since she had once
loved and should never love again, il
mattered little what happened. Even
she might marry this man-if he came
again, and were in earnest. He would
possibly be kind. No; she would strug-
gle no longer; she felt herself grown
weakly plant. And the worst would
hc only death: the worst, also the best.
Aye, but il he took her he knew what
he was taking. A soullcss, worn.out
creature, who endursd him.
And yet, thousands Of women Ind
done Infinitely worse.
Sho was moaning aloud, moaning rs
ii in pain. By-nnd-hy her means sub
sided to long drawn slghs, as though
after anguish had come relief. "She
would say to him." she sighed, II he
came again on tho morrow, that if-ii
he cared so much. he might take herr
And now she sat upright with blurred
vision and dull murmurs in her ears.
No longer suspense! No further m-
certainty. Only stupid WEAKNESS Of
mind.
The clock had struck four long since.
Tho blue darkness was resolving into
gray ut the high window, for dawn ap-
preached. The room seemed sitting.
She climbed up and knelt on the sill,
raised tho sash and looked out over tho
neighboring roof. painting for the fresh.
ness Of the new day.
londer. from behind the great lake,
should rise orc long tho morning.
Already a pale green tliekered from
thread to shield, and gradually grew
golden, glorious. as tho slow suns
splendor touched tho sky line. and
thrilled tho dumb heavens tn waking
rapture.
So kneeling, md gazing, she hardly
felt the coldness Of tho air piercing
her chest like steel: she only saw the
glory of liquid gold bridging the grea,
waters as il yonder were paradise. And
slowly out Of those shining precinct.
she by-and-hv seemed to see advance
his image-or himself, her lover-glori
fed, with outstretehed, compassionate.
hands.
She gave low. moaning cry as il IN
answer: "See. All see! l have beer
true. l have been true" Then i
mist yeiled her heavily; vaguely sh,
knew herself falling.
Tho room was bright with another
soul.mocking morrow when sh,
opened her eyes and found herself ly
ing bruised anu erampea where sh,
had fallen from the high sill. Ii WA
a great effort to arise. Her limbs wer,
full of pain, sharp.lasting pain. ltwa
long before she could straighten hersel
sufficient to reach up and extinguisl
the still,burning gas.
Yet there was an inward strength
and strange peace OF soul.
| When some ono Knocked she quietly
mholted the door: nor did she start o
tremhle to find il was Drew, callin,
early and looking surprised ut he
haggardness.
Are you ill?" he asked.
"No;l am-auite well.-and strong.
"Well, only dropped in on my wa,
10 hnsiness-and To tell veu--to AS
You il l should como tonight. Some
how felt as ii you treated what sal,
rs a-ioke. But was not joking
She looked at him very calmly.
Il thought it over last night" sh
said, presently. Il did not think 70
were joking"
"Wellg"
/ NeIl-l ub Htt loNs Nhus Saiu1
sell myself-let it go-and-l than
yon.
lie was dautel at last; he stared
then flushed angrily.
"iou may he sorry. Miss Grey h
said. "Gooa morning"
She flung herself upon her knees .
no turned away, and gave wild, sol
hing cry:
Thank God, Thank God for tenn
tation--ana for the strength to resist
and to suffer-"
Was i, the cndp Whose brisk ste
| rang up tho bare hall. Who thras
! the door wider and. as he heard N
, sohs, gave passionate ntteranee to
long-stored greeting?
| Natalie. my aarling."
She turned "a il the dead had calle
her, turned with ashen face.
"Hunt! oh, God! lou are n,
| aeads
Not dead, oh, my loved oae." m
his arms received her; and she vi
, safe. Chicago Ledger.