The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-12-17

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we stand thus together many and many
year with hearts as light hopes as brlghi
a. those that make this madness in me now.
Forgive me, dear, il offend. Some day
may win the right to kiss you twenty times
a Minute"
The Joy Of Dorothy's heart had found
name al the warm c0ntIct Of his lips. Sho
knew she loved him with the first love OF
life, yet she had known him but a week
but the wings of love are fl6eter than time
and caTess can make infant love grow IN
10 HeTcuics IN less time than it takes TO
tell Of it,
She rested her pretty yellow head against
his breast, and he said softly:
Listen t. the BELLS love; they seem to
throb with joy Oh, how beautiful is love!
by heart IS bounding with hope at TINS
sweet yielding. Tell me, my own, can
hope that Won can ever care for me as / DO
for you? Are you free to take my love, my
name into your care? Only tell me you can
love me, and / ask nothing more Of You.
Il know you are beautiful, / feel by in
stinct that you are good, and you are all the
world to me. never loved another as |
love you. 1 think loved you at first sight
when | saw you like a frozen lily lying in
the snow-drift.
Say something kind to me, child; can
not bear suspense tonight"
What shall l say? love you more than
words can tell. I've loved you ever since
oprned my eyes to see your compassionate
tender eyes bent on mine. Oh, my love, my
master! our trust is sweet to me as your
love, and / am not unworthy Of you.
1t viii be beyond the bliss Of earth to be-
long to you, to have the right to love You,
to win the heart Of your little child, and to
lead her innocent soul to God"
you will be the angel of nay home, my
ife's best treasure, the one light to lead my
tagging steps to Heaven! Harkl how the
loy-bells seem to bless US. How still and
clear the night is, there is not breeze enough
to watt our VOWS to Heavens reg istry; yet
they Will be sacredly kept will they not,
sweetheart? There is an old saying that the
lover never loved Alright who did not love at
first sight"
Still they stood together locked in a love
dream, their forms clearly outlined by the
light behind them.
Someone stole out Of the shadows, and
looked upon the pretty picture framed in
ivy, with a background Of golden light and
a deep curse was whispered through clench-
ed teeth, and woman smote her breast in
impotent passion.
In her heart fandish voice whispered
that word Of hate, Kill"
The curse of Cain was on the woman; she
was seized with envy, hate, and horror in
looking upon the paradise she had once
polluted.
'IIe has put me aside, driven me out Of
his life! but will be a bIne to him, a pes
thence upon the fair-faced girl who has fill
. , ,-,fI I t,F ~, n III
my little innocent child. you could have
kept my heart from further sin, yet may
not touch your sweet lips, OF look upon the
face that embodies all know of heaven or
the angels.
Il will steal You from him-a mother has
a right to her child. His heart Will be torn
at losing you, for though ~ hates the moth
er, he loves the child"
These muttered words, too low to be dis
tinguished told someone Of her presence,
for a strong hand was laid on hers, and
mans voice said in an undertone, hoarse
with emotion:
Cousin Alison, why are you here again?
1t is foolish ofyOu."
''Jem, look at that window. What does
1t mean?'
ut looks nightly like loye-making to me,
Ally, my girl Rem smber he is free to woo
and wed afresh now. He has been a quick
one, and no mistake. Why, he only found
her in the snow a week ago. She is a pretty
creature, and perhaps he might do worse.
lie wants mistress in his home; he is a
rich man now you know. Happy is the
vooiug which isn't long adoing,' seems his
motto. Surely you can't care, Ally? You
used to hate him like poison"
What is poison to woman at one time,
Jem, is nectar Of the gods another. Do not
try 10 read woman's heart, lad, it is ever
as the sky above US. Mine is black
as midnight now. Oh, Jem, l want my
baby. If ha the child would care for
naught else. l have money enough, with
what l earn, and what that man gives me,
to save me from taking the wages of SIM
Jem put his big rough hands on the wo-
man rs tenderly as n mother caresses a
child, and said softly:
Il always loved you, Ally; now you are
free, my handsome girl, let me make an
honest woman of you. You liked me in the
long ago when we were lad and lass togeth-
er among our own tribe. I'd be so good to
you, my dear.
"Pye saved bit of money thinking to
help you some day. Don't deny me, Ally.
Far away in a SUMMER land than this we can
make our home and begin afresh. | shall
seem a comelier sort of man when you
can't see me beside yonder fine gentleman.
Shall it be hope and happiness with me at
last, far away from the shame that clings to
you here? IT'S New Years Day now; say
you will begin afresh with me, and lead a
new life in which l may love you"
The woman seemed to waver; she was
very lonely, and her heart was hot and an
CRY. Yet she did not think, welcome as the
words of love were to her desolate heart,
that she could live tie quiet domestic life
he painted. Yet poor Jem had been a faith
full lover. He deserved a reward and it
would be sweet'to live innocently again, if
Innocence was possible TO one so debaSed as
she.
II will do as you wish, Jem, on one con-
ditiOn, and that is that we take my child
with us. Far away in new country, among
fresh scenes and faces, she will soon forget
her father and love me. Her father will
have other children to love, and perhaps
she may be sighted. A stepmother is not
pleasant possession; you know that, Jem,
to your sorrow, don't you?''
Yes, Ally; but mine was bitter hard
one. This girl is not like that She has no
vice about her."
"How do you know that? her virtues have
to be tried, and you confess You know moth
ing of her; she may be what you call a bit
ter bad one. Virtuous women are not plenti-
full enough to be picked up like withered
sticks ON the high-road. Well, you know
my condition, and you know where to find
me. Pm going now, have long walk be-
fore me, and | am chilled to the heart. |
came here tonight to humble myself to
him, to plead for the only possession l care
for fha .NF
own little child; but in face of what have
seen, / dare not enter his doors, my blood
Is up, there would be murder done. On.
wonder you can want me, Jem, knowing my
black heart and my bitter past"
80 do wonder" said Jem honestly,
'syet can't help longing for you. I have
loved you all my life, and somehow think
1t will be that In time-not at first perhaps,
but could be patient-you might get to
care for me. Not as do for you. of course,
can't expect that; there is nothing In me
to love, while You are proud, beautiful, and
clever Oh, my girl | could give up all
hope of winning you to see you happy and
innocent in your old place as Pierce PEN
folds wife"
Hush, Jeml Why talk of that which is
beyond retrieving? l should do it all over
again if could live my life afresh."
You did love the scoundreI who led you
from your duty, then, Ally?''
YES, God pity me! That was the worst
of il, that was what made me suffer tire tor
ments of conscience. used to have a
warm heart and could feel impulses of
good, now | am all evil You had better
not ask for that which is so worthless, it
may be your lot to know the misery of
granted prayer"
The woman's great haggard eyes softened
second, and she laid her shapely hand in
her cousins.
Poor. foolish, faithful fellow as he press
ed kiss on it tear blottei the caress out.