The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-02-09
Select gtorg.
LATE LOVE rs LONGEST.

Translated from the German
Energetic and prompt were the efforts
that sought her restoration, and finally came
their reward; for the eyes opened slowly
looking around with startled inquiry in theil
gaze, and then, in voice so full Of genuine
pain that it touched the listeners heart
came the murmur:
"Oh why have you saved me! l cannot
thank you" and the eyes closed again in
heavy slumber. -,
The rough fisherman turned away with
a gesture of impatience, almost of indigna-
ton. at this base ingratitude after his he
roic efforts, but our friend, the philosopher
was silent, and finally, pressing a generous
sum into the mans hand and exacting the
promise of careful attention to the rescued
one during the night, he left the cottage
with the request that the stranger should
come to him in the morning, as, possibly
he might be able to do something for her
The night passed for him in restless
sleeplessness, the events of the evening ris-
ing again and again before him, and his
thoughts recurring uncontrollably to this
unknown one whom he had saved from
death. Who was she? Why should she
so bitterly have regretted her escape from
that watery grave And would she come
in the morning?
Strange to say he did not even reproach
himself for all this interesV in a stranger,
and she a woman in fact, his sentiments
toward the weaker sex had become modified
in all these years to a calm, serene contempt
somewhat akin to pity as he thought of all
their imperfections, their pitiable defects
and weaknesses. 1t was, therefore, more
with compassion than interest that he dwelt
upon the one who had so unexpectedly
crossed his path, recalling her form and ap-
pearance.
She had evidently passed the first bloom
of youth, but her countenance was beauti-
full in the noble honesty and gentle sweet
ness; if not very far from the age qualify
ing her for the position of his housekeeper
perhaps he might make an exception in
her favor.
The morning had scarcely dawned before
he was up, and twenty times had he looked
from his window, when, as the clock struck
10, low knock sounded at his door, and
in answer to his response, someone entered,
fearful and timid, but it was she; and, as
he looked attentively at her, her appearance
was even more prepossessing than on the
former evening, Notwithstanding the pallor
and sadness of her countenance.
He asked her to be seated; but paying
no heed to this, she took few trembling
steps toward him, then dropped sobbing at
his feet, and in words half choked with tears
exclaimed:
"Pardon, 1 pray you, the ungracious
words spoken last evening; they were in
deed unworthy of me, but God knows am
not really ungrateful, nor must you think
me SO; II was only in despair p
A strange emotion swept over him, and,
half to conceal it, half with the desire to
say something, he asked abruptly;
GLOW old are you?'
''Thirty-fve years" she answered simply
"What r' he exclaimed almost harshly
$50 old, and yet 50 foolish as to commit
such a deed p
A crimson flush overspread her pale
face. but, having seated herself at his re-
quest, she quickly and frankly began her
explanation.
1t was the same old story in only one of
its thousand variations; for years she had
lavished on one being all the wealth of her
hopes and affections, wearing still on her
finger the engagement ring with which he
had pledged his troth; but suddenly one day
he had discovered that she had grown too
old for him, and had quietly married anoth-
er, younger and richer than the poor little
milliner whose only dowry was her pure
heart and spotless life. 1t had all come to
her as terrible, binding shock, destroy
ing her faith in all mankind, and in sheer
despair she had sought to bury her misery
in the sleep that could have no awakening
in so joyless a world.
Nervously, hesitatingly, she made hel
confession, and the embarrassment, well
nigh overwhelming her, proved the effort
it cost-but tell him she must.
He looked at her long and earnestly, as
though reading her very soul, and then
asked slowly:
'sAnd what do you think of doing now?
II do not know" she answered, her eyes
bent dejectedly downward.
"Would you be willing to remain with
me as my housekeeper?" he asked. "The
work is not heavy and the home is com
Portable"
She lifted her eyes to his, and would
have grasped his hand in her surprise and
eager gratitude had he not checked her al
most sternly.
sNone of that" said he, "but hear me
out; hope the experience through which
you have just passed will teach you the
folly of trusting overmuch in any man
For myself, 1 have every cause to despise
and distrust woman; they can never b'
other than objects of utter Indifference tc
me. and YOU should endeavor to learn t.
regard man likewise"
She gazed at him wonderingly for mo
ment, and then, with little touch of pride
in her tone, answered:
II have no need to learn it, since he il
whom trusted has deceived me; all here,
and she pressed her hand to her heart, III
forever dead r
aGood |" said he, calmly, 'sthen we vii
suit one another well; and now, will you
accept my offer Z?
81 will, she answered, and the contrac
uae made