Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-03-25

RE rRUE FRIEND LEST.

innocent because had imagined it sport
to him as well as to myself. He had the
reputation of being not only the hand
soonest man in his regiment. but the great
est f1irt, and laughed when he was pre-
sented to me, and said to myself, at
should in this case be diamond cut dia-
mend''
Somehow my eyes had fallen under his
first admiring glance. but l fortified my
self with the thought:
$50 he always looks. 1t is the first
move in his attack"
! met glance with glance. smile with
smile, and pretty speech with saucy retort,
or sentimental repartee, according as one
| or the other could be delivered with more
telling effect
Are you sincere ?" he questioned, one
evening. ANSWER me frankly. II you
are not. tell me so now"
I'm other words" answered. ''throw
down my weapon. acknowledge my un-
armed condition. and smilingly invite you
to advance to victory"
| no" he said '.At your hand | pre-
fer defeat. You acknowledge, however.
that you hold weapons-in other words,
that you wear a mask"
NO" replied, Il wear no mask.
carry no weapon. Be merciful, Colonel
Lake.
He grew pale, and opened his lips as If
to speak, then hastily rising, and making
brief adieu. he left me.
For the first time was little fright
ened. little in doubt as to its being who'll
ly a matter of amusement to him-a little
dubious as to how Roger would regard
nv conduct in the matter. for Roger play
ed a very important part in my life. even
then. since-though 500 miles away-he
had nv promise that on his return | would
become his wife, and determined on the
colonel's next visit would turn the con-
versation into other channels.
But had no opportunity to carry my
good intentions into effect The first act
when he entered the room next evening.
where sat alone, was to cross directly in
front of me. then stoop and take both my
hands in his.
You asked me last night to be merci-
full, he began. God help you if you
do not mean those words. They have been
ringing in my ears ever since Child. do
YOU know-do You dream-how l love
youo You have raised in me the first pas
sion OF nv life. though am to-day 33
wars VI aye w utt q IlttlC. nan
YOU are, and yet You hold in these little
hands a strong mans destiny. Speak to
me. love Tell me that my wife is before
me?"
In that moment my coquetry took wings
and fled away and in its stead came dull
realization of what had done.
strove to draw nv hands from his.
As well might have tried to dslodge
stone embedded for centuries in the noun
tain side. My self-possession forsook me.
In my fright Numbered out the worst
possible thing | could have said.
81 cannot do that. cannot be the wife
OF two men! thought you knew | was
engaged"
A look of steely. icy contempt flashed
into his eyes. He wrung my fingers an
instant until cried out with pain, then
threw them from me and folded his arms
across his breast.
You dare tell me this, ''he said in low,
concentrated tones. ANSWER me one
question. What mean. pitiful motive has
made you do this thing ?"
IL did not know you were in earnest"
| replied, remembering as | spoke how
hard had tried to make him think So
though never in my innermost thoughts to
this extent-as the Great Father is my
Judge, to blast his future, or to bring
about his mouth the white lines of agony
now drawn there.
81 thought moment ago." he answered
then, very slowly. THAT in my lie had
no other prayer to offer to heaven.
make it now, and that is that may
live to see you suffer through your love
as you have dealt suffering to me through
life"
His words seemed like curse. They
filled the room. and oppressed my soul
with a nameless dread and haunting pres
cience of the future.
Shivering, buried my face in my
hands. When l lifted it I was alone.
Col. Lake had left me.
when Roger comes home will tell
him about it," whispered to myself.
But somehow, when three months later
Roger came home had so much to think
of in the busy preparations for my mar
riage, and my sky was so blue that |
could not bear to risk upon it a single
cloud.
| The colonel's words were idle now
As though any harm could grow out of
| the deep heart-lOve Roger and felt for
each other. How small. how unworthy
of him and of myself had been my idle
cequetries of the past. Never mind,
had all my future to atone.
Then came my wedding day. when the
outer world gave me its smiling benson,
IN bright sunshine and balmy breezes.
was Rogers now-his very own-and
could have defied the universe in my ex-
quisite happiness.
Six months later my husband entered
our little sitting room, one morning, bear
ing IN his hand letter stamped with an
official seal.
Be" he said-my name was Beatrice.
but was too dignified for its possession.
and so they shortened it to Be-and his
voice trembled a little-'it is very soon,
darling. to remind you that you are a SOL
dier's wife but am ordered to report at
once at Fort D.. under Colonel Lakes
command. They anticipate trouble with
the Indians. God knows how | hate to
leave you. my precious little wife. but
there is no alternative. Unjust start with
| in twenty-four hours"
Leave me?" | cried. starting to nv
feet. and throwing myself sobbing upon
his breast. You shall not leave me /,
Take me with you or you will break my