The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-12-22

how miserable and had he been elected to
suffer this always? IF 50, did such lot
fall 10 many men? Had many such cup
offered to them III mockcry, and then with
drawn, leaving them to die Of thirst? Did
the ark of refuge often fail men so; did the
promised land often sink into deep waters,
lust as weary feet touched its shore? If
sorrow like his were the common destiny,
then he could accept it more easily; he was
not q coward
He thought it all over, as he lay pros
tratc, with the chills of the soil numbing
him and the mists enveloping him-how
he had seen her first by the little church
gate; how she had Offered him her friend
ship, and afterward her love; how he had
been passive in it all, or seemed to have
been
He had been happy enough before she
came-happy in resigned unexpectancy;
but she had come, and that was ali over.
How was he to return to things as they
had been? How would he bear the bur
den Of all the heavy, coming years? Why,
he was not thirty yet, and his life might
stretch out to the allotted three-score years
and ten. IF 50, how could he bear it
forty chill summers, forty cruel winters,
forty years full of days and weeks made
mp, each one of hours of pain How
could he bear it?
He rose tiredly from the earth, numbed
and chilled, wet through with the dew and
mists, and stumbled blindly upward. His
hat had fallen off, and lay among the dead
leaves, but he did not miss it. A faint
wind had risen, and a pale moon looked
down on him mistily, through moist scud-
ding clouds. Along the line Of the path
which he followed toward the chateau a
few houses stood, their wide-open doors
permitting broad bands Of light to fall
across his path, and peals Of rustic laughter
to greet his ears How happy the people
seemed He was almost glad now that
they had never learned to think or feel as
he had once wished them to do. IF they
had learned, doubtless they would have
been less happy.
Above him the castle lowered black
against the sky, with yellow CLEANS where
the easements were. He crossed the court
yard twice before he had strength to enter
by the little side door, which was left every
day ajar for him. For him What a
mockery that seemed now
He stood outside for moment, and
looked in. There was the old hall, his
favorite part of all the house, and there
were the pictures he and she had hung to-
gether, and the old armor they had spent
awhole day polishing, and the organ which
had sighed to his love and rapture score
Of times. And now he was looking his
last on them.
He could not bear the sight, lest it
should unnerve him. He lifted the latch
softly and went in.
She was in her fayorite attitude by the
log fire, and she startled and half rose as
he entered. She seemed relieved at first
that it was he, before she noticed his
stained dress, his haggard face, and the
weary trouble in his eyes.
"What is the NATTER Where have you
been ?" she asked bn6ledly, with tone of
He d az and put away the hands
she extended.
Il have been fighting battle and gain
ing a victory" he said.
'sWhat battle-what victory ?"
"a battle between my better nature and
my worse. The better-I believe it is the
better-has won"
81 do not understand you.
He came over to the hearth and stood
there in weary, dropping attitude, with
a faint animal sense of comfort in the
warmth.
You know | had chosen once hard
life-almost ascetic, almost monastic- for
myself Such must fall to some men. 1
thought, Why not to me as well as to
another?' and / came here, leaving temp
tation behind
She inclined her head. She could not
answer him.
"But temptation followed me in guise
most fair, most sweet, and l yielded to it. ,
He turned away, that she might not see
even her shadow, as she stood dropping
before him, and then went on more stead
lily:
But happiness was not for me. 1t
weakened me; it stood between me and
duty, and knowing that, | have come to
give it up.
ooh, Henri y
A wave of uncomprehended feeling
broke over her, consciousness Of some
thing like dismay Was it possible that
he had known of Franks return, and was
this his generous way of setting her free ?
But that could not be- Frank had come
and gone SO suddenly.
you will not try to hinder me-you
will not make duty hard by telling me you
viii be sorry ?" He turned to her implor-
ingly as he spoke ssWhat | am doing is
surely best for me. 1t will be best for
you too-at least l shall strive and pray
that it may be-"
She came up and put her clasped hands
over his shoulder, and looked at him with
streaming eyes.
'sDear brother, if you will have it so"
she said brokenly; whatever seems best to
you will always be best in my eyes. l
would have tried to make you happy if you
had let me, but since you will have it 9th
erwise, | consent.
He shivered as she fell away from him.
All was over.