The Delaware ledger., 1883-09-15

tion of their mutual passion, he had
fallen on his knees before her, and
solemnly affirmed that, come what
would, no power on earth should ever
separate him from her.
s'If ever woman was sure of man,
Saidee, you are sure Of me ~
What music the words were, though |
neither of them could forsee and the |
sore test that awaited them. All seemed
bright ahead they were to be mar
ried in six months time, and she was
to go away with him to Brazil, where
he had secured government appoint
ment.
There seemed no need Of the passion
ate protestatioDs, the SOLEMN oath OF
this fond lover their truth was to be
tried. In the fifth month Of their en-
Sagement, Aunt Ruth-of whom Saidee
was a special pet and protege-was
thrown from her carriage and received
injuries which, though it was not be-
lieyed they would prove fatal, left her
in very critical and epprehensive
state.
True, the wedding day was named
and Wilfred must go: true, there were
loving hearts besides Saidee to care for
poor Aunt Ruth, but it seemed to
her tender nature most crime to leave
her, at least, until danger was posi-
lively past. And when, one morning,
the old lady drew down the fair face
to hers, and whispered, inploringly,
"You will not leave me, pet, while
there is a doubt of my getting well ?"
she promised unhesitatingly that she
would not.
Perhaps If she had known Wilfred
Hare better, she could not have prom
ised 80 readily. But she knew him only
as the tender lover, the man who had
sworn that, come what would, no power
on earth should ever separate him from
her. 1t could be easily settled, she
thought he, as she, would feel very sad
and disappointed, but he, as she, must
see the impossibility of her going now.
They could be married, and, as soon as
Aunt Ruth was out of danger, she would
| go to him.
. All this in full trust and faith she
confided to wilfred Hare. She was i'll
! prepared for the reception her words
met, the imperious workings of this
mans will. What right had she, with
r out consulting him even, to make
r promise to any one that conficted will
her own to him His love gave hin
), the right to command her; if she love'
him she would obey. She must MARI.
. MIN and go away with him, else thei
present relations naust cease.
,r 81 am SO glad," she said softly, "tha
W am not one of those who think per
w feet object is necessary for loving
"a do not think perfect object is tes
of love. l am not blind Wllfred
w very tyIanical, selfish, very, very III
ar kind, but, but, as never till to-day haV
fully realized it, so never has he bee
H. so dear to me-"
Nv This realization awoke tender II
II solve.
tb 81 can never let him go away 80 !;
va must prove to him how dear he is al
as must ever be to me-"
From this came the tender note tn
as found its way next morning to Wilfr'
MS Hare -
aw "I cannot let you go away, dear, wit
tilI out one little word. know you a
DIV angry with me, and am very, We
at unhappy, for never since our engae
ment have 1 loved you as to-day. !
little word is that / must alwa,
oer always love you, and that will neN
marry any man but Wilfred Ha
q ~ Perhaps some day you will understa
ste and forgive me, and then you will
rds glad to think of this"
ugh Very sadly she dropped the tent
me little note in the mail-box, very dreai
say she went back the familiar road to
L
home.
his So absorbed was Saidee, that
her, did not see the man walking ahead, v
rord suddenly turned and paused, as
'ead awaiting her. She started as she dl
cred closer and perceived him, her first
pulse was to flee; she shrank from
sad face that she felt now was 30
he hers.
ness But it was to late. He had retra
nest, his steps to meet her and was now W
he ing at her side.
mo- "Saidee," he said softly, "there
She not many days now. Do not send
was away from YOU"
mere He made no effort to cloak his
Una. derness, either in word or look.
. ail had loved her from the happy
,oi when as children, they had wa
''n this road together she knew it,
IL had once been the great sorro'
must her life that she-could not return
love.
brok- a. hor b.art a nitv for him.
gentle Nv 10 bod newer known before a
'u0' regretful longing that she could
have loved him; a sudden, ST
realization that she had wasted
'rding affection, that this mans stanch,
disap- heart was worth a hundred such a.
wayed fred Hare,s
IN This last she battled quickly dov
'nein 50 the pity or the longi ng. Strs
moved, scarcely knowing what sh
epiieu' she placed her hand on his arm
since ~ - ,.n+,v