The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-07-25

know how miserable-and had he been
elected to suffer this always? Ii so, did
such q lot fall to many menp Had many
such cup offered to them in mockery,
and then withdrawn, leaving them to
die of thirstp Did the ark of refuge
often fail men 80? Did the promised
land often sink into deep waters, just
as weary feet touched its shorep If sor-
row like his were common destiny,
then he could accept it more easily; he
was not q coward.
He thought it all over, as he lay pros
trate, with the chills of the soil numb
ing him, and the mists enveloping him
how he had seen her first by the little
church gate; how she had offered him
her friendship, and afterwards her love;
how he had been passive in 1t all, or
seemed to have been. t1Bs8 ttf
He had been happy enough before she
came-happy in resigned unexpectancy;
but she had come, and that was all
over. How was he to return to things
as they had beenp How would he bear
the burden of all the heavy, coming
years? Why, he was not thirty yet, and
his life might stretch, out to the allot-
ted threescore years and ten. If so, how
could he bear it-forty chill summers,
forty cruel winters, forty years full Of
days and weeks made up, each one, of
hours Of painp How could he bear it?
He rose tiredly from the earth, numb
ed and chilled, wet through with the
dew and mists, and stumbled blindly
upward. His hat had fallen of, and
lay among the dead leaves, but he did
not miss 1t. A faint wind had risen, and
a pale moon looked down on him misti-
ly through moist, scudding clouds.
Along the line of the path which he fol-
lowed toward the chateau 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!
Above him the castle lowered black
against the sky, with yellow CLEANS
where the easements were. He crossed
the courtyard 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 SEEM
ed now! ~
He stood outside for a moment and
looked in. There was the old hall, his
favorite part of the house, and there
were the pictures he and she had hung
together, and the old armor they had
spent a whole 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 favorite attitude by
the log-fire, and she started and half
rose as he entered. She seemed reliev-
ed 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 matter? Where have
you beenY" she asked hurriedly, with
tone of alright.
Il have been fighting a battle and
gaining victory" he said.
"What battle-what victory?"
"a battle between my better nature
and my worse. The better-I believe it
is the better-has won."
II do not understand YOU"
you know L had chosen once hard
life-almost ascetic, almost mOnastic-,
for myself. Such must fall to some
men. L thought, why not to me as
we'll as to another?" and / came here,
leaving temptations behind"
She inclined her head. She could not
answer him.
But temptation followed me in a
guise most fair, most sweet, and l yield
ed to it,"
He turned away, that he might not
see even her shadow as she stood droop-
ing before him, and then went on more
steadily:
'But happiness was not for me. It
weakened me; it stood between me and
duty; and, knowing that, 1 have come
to give it up"
'Oh, Henri!"
A wave of uncomprehended feeling
broke over her, a 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?
"You will not try to hinder me; you
will not make duty hard by telling me
you will be sorryp" He turned to her
imploringly as he spoke. What | am
doing is surely best for me. 1t will be
best for you, too-at least shall strive
and pray that it may be-"
dear brother, if you will have it So"
she said, broNenly; whatever seems
best to you will always be best in my
eyes. / would have tried to make you
happy if you had let me, but since you
will have it otherwise l consent"
He shivered as she fell away from
him. All was over.
1--WE shall ride up to the auberge,
leave our mules there, and then walk
up to the parsonage, Frank"
Every well, darling"
Don't you think it was better we
did not tell him we were coming, or any
of our plans about him?"
''Of course it was"
Frank Daily was not in the habit of
bordering deeply on his wife's ques-
lions. WOmen's trains of thought were
never worth following, at least so the
gallant Captain thought, and placid
assent was all any woman, even the
dearest in the world, either desired or
expected.
HE will be surprised, won't he,
Frank, to know that have never for
gotten him for a day since we parted?"
: II should think so, indeed, and un-
commonly pleased, too.
"And don't you think he Is likely to
consent to my plan, to come to Eng
land and get ordained into the Angli-
can Church-you know he can be as
monastic there as ever he likes?"
. "Of course, he'll consent, and you
can have him to play the organ at all
your tea-drinking, and the women can
lionize him ever so much"
~ az NOT utNaok L