The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-08-01


only reserved, self-contained men such
as he can love, and then only when
they hoard all the treasures of their
nature TO lavish it in middle life on
the one woman who is their fate.
y After that he opposed her in nothing,
but 1t was as though a great wall of
fee had risen between them.
He devoted himself TO business, and
she became the acknowledged leader Of
the most exclusive circle in the city.
She was madly extravagant. She
made the old house marvel Of
aesthetic beauty, and entertained like a
incess.
Ers. McKeon's toilets, Jewels and
dinners became the models for her
set.
Men worshiped her beauty; but for
all their batteries she had the same
smile Of cold contempt, and no man
was bold enough to venture beyond
the merest commonplace.
And so the years passed, and each
one drifted them farther apart, until
they seldom met, except at their own
grand entertainments. Each year she
become more the slave of fashion, and
he of his Office. But through it all
he loved her with an undying love,
and his one thought was to crafty
her every whim.
And when the dark days came
when ships that were sent out
freighted with costly wares went
down and were heard no more-when
houses that seemed stable as granite
failed, and his wealth seemed melting
away like wreath, his only
thought was for her and though each
day his hair grew whittier, and his form
grew stopped with bending over the
long columns of figures in which the
balance was always on the wrong side.
he whispered, "For her sake" and
struggled on and denied her nothing.
And even on the day when he Came
hcme, knowing that all his efforts had
availed him nothing and he was poor
man, his only regret was for her, that
he would never more be able to give
her the things for which she had bar
tered so much.
He went into the grand, old library,
which was almost the only room in
the house that remained unchanged,
and tried to collect his thoughts. How
would he tell her? was the question
that reiterated itself through his brain,
and for the first time in his life Don
aid McKeon was coward.
The thought came to him of how
she who had chafed at her bonds when
they were gilded would bear the closer
relations straitened income would
entail.
And he resolved that this at least
he would spare her. After all his OBJ
legations were met there would be
something left, not more than she had
often lavished on one dinner, perhaps,
but still enough to keep her from alb
solute want. Jessie should have this,
and he would 20 away and work for
her and dream of her, but never again
trouble her with his presence.
He sat down and wrote letter, tell
ing her this simply, directly, and with
the great love he bore her breathing
through every word.
The servant had told him she would
not be in for some time, and he took
the note himself up to her room.
1t was a dainty place, bright as un-
bounded wealth and an exquisite
taste could make ii.
He left the note on her toilet-table,
lingering for moment to touch ca
ressingly the costly articles that were
scattered about, all breathing of her
presence.
When he returned to the library the
early dusk was falling. A servant
came, bringing lights, but he dis
missed him impatiently, and few
moments later heard the sound of
wheels and the sweet voice of his wife
in the hall giving some directions.
At length the silence became un-
bearable, and he seated himself at the
piano. In his old bachelor days music
had been his passion, but in these lat
ter years Of feverish struggle he had
found no time for it. But when his
fingers touched the keys all the de
spair, the pain and longingin his heart
found voice in the rich chords that
filled the room.
He played on, and gradually the
burden was lifted. Music gave him
the comfort she ever gives to those
who truly love her. 1t was no longer
a wall of despair, but pecan of
thanksgiving for victory gained.
So absorbed was he that he did not
hear a soft footstep enter the room.
A hand was laid on his shoulder, and
tremulous voice said:
Donald"
His hand came down with sudden
discord on the keys. 1t was the first
time Jessie had ever called him by
that name.
He turned and saw her standing
there in her dressing-gown of soft
cashmere. The freight was sending
long rays down the stately gloom of
the library, and she looked very beauti-