Connecticut western news., 1884-01-23
VOL. XIII.

decide what he WAS to do, he felt more and more that here was his mission for the present Was it not Gods work that he had undertaken? !? Then what right had he to think of himself.
 People who had listened to him in the pulpit of the aristocratic church, and prophesied success for him, wondered at him for hesitating to accept the good offer. They thought it foolish in him to squander his eloquence on congrega- tion so poor. They could not see that he was trying to satisfy himself whether he was acting for God or for himself. Alice Graeme thought of all this as she sat there by the fire, and she hoped he would accept the offer, but she hated to lose him. When she thought of his go- ing away she almost wished he would decide that duty told him to stay where he was. He had told her of the struggle in his heart, and asked her to advise him; but, quick to appreciate the situa- tion, she declined to have anything to do with his decision. Her interest in him might prompt her to give advice that would keep him from doing what he ought.
 That evening John Trevor came in to spend an hour or two in that delightfully."- informal way which was custom of his Alice met him with that rare smile she kept for her best friends. He held her hand in his for a moment ill a way that was more lover like than otherwise, and the woman, whose hand thrilled beneath his touch, saw sudden wistful tender ness come into his eyes-a look that held the power in it to bring the roses upon her cheeks, and make her eyes droop and waver before it. But he dropped her hand suddenly, and she looked up to see his face grown cold and stern, as if blaming himself for the exhibition of some weakness.
 "Play for me-" he said, motioning her toward the piano. "I don't want to talk just now"
 She sat down and played softly the pieces which she knew he liked best to hear. He heard them as in dream. He was trying to gain the mastery over himself. Every time he saw this -wo- mans face, his heart cried out for love. Tender words would come rushing to his lips, and only by the force of his strong will could he keep back their utterance.
 Fool that I was to come here to- night" he told himself. "The sight of her, the sound of her voice makes me forget myself. Why can't I put the thought of love for her out of my mind, when know that she can never be more to me than she is now? I try to re- member thas her world and mine are far apart; but with her smile on mo, for get every thing, except that I love her. !"
 She ceased playing by-and-bye, and came and sat down near him.
 "You have come 10 tell me that you have made your decision, am sure, :" she said presently.
 "Yes," he answered, in an absent way; "I have decided at last"
 "And is it to go or stay9" she asked, with her earnest eyes upon his face.
 T shall stay here," she answered. "Oh, Alice, my friend, you don't know what 1t has cost me to make that de- cision; but it is my duty, I think"
 "I understand" she said, softly, and her face was full of reverence for theman who could sacrifice his hope of reaching higher station for the good of those in lowly places. "I do not think you will regret what you have done. If I can help you in any way in the work you have to do down there among your peo- pie let me do it. I shall be glad to-.
 "Oh, you might help me so much, if you would," he cried, and put out his hand, as if to draw her near him, in swift, impulsive way. "I need you so much." Then, as if suddenly remem- bering himself, he shut his lips tightly to keep back the words that struggled for utterance.
 "Forgive me-" he said, and there was sound of pain in his voice that he could not hide. II forget myself some. times. I must not come here any more"
 "Why?" she asked, with her frank, pure eyes looking into his.
 Don't ask me why" he cried. q think you know. If child sees star and cries for it, isn't it better to keep him out of sight of it than have him striving for that which is out of reach?"
 "What star are you striving for ?" she asked, with wavering eyes and scarlet cheeks. s "Are you sure it is out of reach ?'
 Don't tempt me-" he cried. "You are cruel, cruel. have enough to fight against already. I am going away and I shall not come here again. You might have spared me this"
 And before she knew it he was gone.
 "He thinks I am leading him on, and is too blind to see that love him." she cried bitterly, pacing up and down the hoor "Oh, John, l would gladly give you as true q love as any woman ever gave if you would take it.
 After that John Trevor kept alool from the woman he loved. He felt that he was not strong enough to fghi against himself when the sight of hel face and the sound of her voice woke into fierce struggle the passion he held for her. He loved her, yet believed that she had led him on for the sake of bring ing him to her feet It shocked him tc think her capable of doing that, but since their paths in life were so far apart and he had always told himself that 2 woman of her sta ion never stopped tc one so lowly as his, he could explain hel conduct in no other way.