Delta chief., 1883-08-08

and shawl from the rack-and then hur-
ried out of the door. had no thought,
no plan, only to get away from Childie.
turned into the pretty woodland path
where we had walked together SO many
times; where our tender vows were
plighted, and where we had quarreled,
too, two days ago. Some trif1e, it mat
tiers not; but l was right and he was
wrong, of course, and l was angry with
him; / would never see him again, l
said.
had kept my word. Even this night.
when he had come for his good-by kisses,
little fearing my proud words. 1t came
to me with fresh force as l walked on
down the path. All my own fault-my
pride What would pride avail me
now? What comfort in the long, dreary
DAYS | saw ahead? But l must dwell
with it, perforce; feed on it; tack my all
to its emptiness, this monster l had
wooed to me.
A hard punishment, but / had de-
served.it. / grew suddenly humble; a
strange impulse moved me; conceived
power, even, TO endure my fate. Just
as fate brought one around the curving
roadway. face TO face with me.
"Clarrie?"
Ralph Hare. traveling-bag in hand,
going away-away from me. 1t was
more than I could endure. l turned
cowardly to flee, but the one word held
me spellbound.
"Yes. Clarrie," l answered family.
scarce knowing what ! said. IL
wanted to bid you good-by. and to con-
gratulate you on your engagement, Mr..
Hare"
A laugh broke from his lips.
Then. in return, suppose l should
thank you for my happiness?"
So very sweet the bitter in his words,
He was my own lover still; the flowers
were mine; the tender tale for me. A
moment of eNultation to meet 4 pang
the deeper.
How could you do it ?' Pride was
little now: the words burst passionately
from my lips, and looked up at him
with my full heart in my face. ..How
could YOU do such a foolish thing? And
how will YOU ever marry Childie when
you love only me?"
saw the light flash in his eyes, but
he laid his hand even fiercely on my
shoulder.
why did you send that pretty child
to me with such message? That WAS
sweet face. and vowed would not 90
away withou, woman's love. wo-
mans kiss TO cheer me, If | could get
them from her. How will ever marry
her. YOU say2 swear to YOU ] never
will"
You will not marry Childie?'
She was yet only the girl who wore
my roses; nevertheless. shivered bit
AT his words.
mo: never after the face YOU show
me. But see there. What of Childie?'
What of Childie. indeed? What should
matter such an engagement TO any one?
She will forget it in weeks time. and
be ready to love another man. And
and do not care. this moment. wheth-
cr she does or not. For once am mean.
dishonorable. .contemptible-all. So that
! gain my ends. Twill marry only you.
Clarrie. and
Involuntarily his hand tightened on
my shoulder.
Tonight" could only echo the
startling word and stare at him.
"Ies; come with me now, Clarrie."
His tone softened; he took me in his
arms and kissed me the old tender way
81 am little strange. you think. my
darling, but am desperate; l cannot
20 and leave you with your foolish pride
II would surely work mischief again be-
tween us. Come. dear. or we shall lose
the train"
Pride had risen little beneath his
percmptory manner. but it sank under
his tenderness. One thought. one mas
tcring impulse that moment ruled me
the prcciousncss of the love | was so
near losing. the great joy to win il for
ever now. Without word l put my
arm in his and walked on towards the
station.
Those were blissful moments-thc
first sat in the car, clssping my lovers
hand while we journcyed towards the
nearest town. ! could but smile as |
realized the shabby shawl and bonnet
odd wedding garments, truly, for so
proud maid as Clarrie Vane. But l
did not care; pride and had had fall
ing out, and could well afford to laugh
at it. What matters aught now. so near
the great joy
How strangely they flashed in amid
my blissful dreaming, the shamed,
blushing face of little Childie, the tender
rhythm of the words: Loving him, low
ing him, loving him my lifetime, since
that one little minute"
II was all foolishness, / told myself.
Such an engagement could not matter
to any one. would not matter at all to
Childie. But, try as l might. I could
not shut out the pretty vision. nor
.,..,. f.,,,, tia tnoI.,. ,,.,,.l, 4