Daily Republican., 1883-09-08

ldearlyl The man who could deal hel
tender heart q wound could only be my
Ienemy. Oh, Matthew, the tears vt realn
ed down her beautiful, pale face, she
clasped Der hands imploringly, "you
will be true to yourself and her-you
will do your duty once married tt
Angel, yon will forget me, and oh, new,
or, never let her even dream that yOul
heart has swerved from its faith. She
lovesyou, she would suffer, and through
me"
Tears choked her. Matthew caught
her hands in his, closely, eagerly.
ado yOu realize what you bid me do.
Give uD the woman l adore, and who
loves me, and wed one who is to me but
~ sister. Angel is generous, noble,
self-sacrifcing; she would release me II
she knew the truth-you have forbidden
me to tell her-you will sacrifice your
self and me. So be it. My heart is
yours to do as you will with. will
obey you upon one cOnditiOn-tell me
the truth before Heaven. Laura, do you
not love me? ?"
She tore her hands away.
"What good would it do TO answer
L
you believe me? And if say yes = y
"As you will. You will-then | shall
have one single CLEAN Of joy to light me
on this difficult path Of duty-one drop
Of sweetness in the bitter cup Of life.
Oh, speak, my darling !"
He elapsed her in his arms, but
she broke away, and stood there, free.
A look of sudden and high resolve
was on her face-her blue eyes sho le
like stars.
"IfI answer, you will keep promise
with Angel? You will prove yourself
a man whom woman need not
blush for having loved You Will
never let her guess how we have wrong
ed her %
Never-never !"
"Then will answer you'll will tell
you that truth which you know al
ready. Yes, l do love yon-I loved you
before knew tit may be that shall
love you till die. No, do not touch
mel" shrinking away from him. At
ter this moment, to touch me or speak
to me, save as sister will beto insult
me. Remember that. have told you
the truth before Heaven--now keep
your word 10 me- Make Angel happy,
and-and may God bless you"
Before he knew it she had taken his
hand and pressed 1t to her lips. Then
she was gone, and he, with cry Of de-
spair, dashed out of the garden and
away down the quiet lane.
And Angel-what Of her?
Sitting quiet and still in the rose
arbor, watching the sun of her life and
her love go down-silent, trembling,
and so pale.
No murmur escaped her. If cry of
rebelliOus pain was 10 her heart, it
found no utteranca or those white and
quivering lips hut her little trembling
hands we're clasped and wrnng, and her
tears fell fast and silently.
Through those p tient tears she
watched them, and judged them silent
ly. And justly, 700. A great soul
looked from Angels sad, dark eyes a;
saw their love, their grief, the great
ness of their temptation, the nobleness
Of their resolve-judged them and for.
gavr-nay, not forgave, but acquitted
them of all thought OF sin against her.
They love me-they would sacrifice
themselves for me-but that shall
never be. Angel is generous-noble, "
he said; ooh, love, l will deserve your
good opinion. | will secure your happi-
ness and Laura's, even though lose
my own.
That very night, unknown to all, a
letter went to New YOrk-in three
days after came back the wished for
answer.
eco to town tor few weeks ? What
cap your Aunt Somers be thinking of !!
Why, you are to be married next month
the things impossible 20
ANGEL spoke low and tremblingly ;
Oh, hope not, mamma. should
like to go, if you and-and Matthew
would allow ms"
Why, Angel"
Laura and Mrs. Arnold looked up in
star led surprise even Mathew was as
tonished. Angel wish to leave them,
and atsuch time-most strange.
The tears came to the poor child
eyes she elapsed her. hands imploring-
ly.
| Forgive me, all of you, and Matthew
most of all. IL fear am tickle
silly girl do not know my own mind
perhaps-but, OH wish this wedding
day was not SO near"
| Her voice failed she hid her pale
face in her hands; Matthew arose and
came to her.
You wish-I do not quite under
stand you, Apgel--do yon wish TO post
pOne our marriage? Be calm, my
dear why are you SO distressed ? l
will do all you wish"
Alas, too Willingly A pang shot
through her heart, but she went on
hravely
81 have been afraid of late we were
too hasty. do not think we love each
other quite aS we ought, Oh, forgive
me, forgive me Yes, | do wish our
marriage postponed
A look of Joy flashed into Matthew
face, his eyes sought Laura's she had
sunk into chair, pale and trembling.
Angel" she cried. con, wha' is
this?"
Angel flung her arms around her.
"Oh, comfort him, and atone for my
falsehood," she whispered. " He will
forget me ours was not real love if in
the time to come, his heart should turn
o you, oh, Laura, make him happy for
my sake.
Laura held her fast.
"There is something more than this"
she cried. "You shall not deceive me,
Angel You have heard something"
She stopped, embarrassed painfully.
Angel spoke smiliugly
HAvaiust Matthew Oh, never ]