Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-08-27

small outlets. And now the DroOk, tne Tees,
ths hoxsrs, ths sunset, and d-swest-smelling
air. all filed his mind with tender thoughts
Of the beautiful woman with whom they
were by habit associated Vanity might be
Light IN hec manner; she might be IN some
position of unknown difficulty; but she was
houorable-he assured himself OF that land
her love was vet to be won II she had any
deep hidden trouble might not he be her
friend and comforterl He was pondering
that question in a kind Of warm transport,
when he raised his eyes and saw Vanity
standing before him. b...'F
She held out her hand.
AZ am glad to see you this evening" she
said, with a serious air he had never noticed
in her before. Thank God YOU aie lsre,
wiIlien +.
Why, ber very tones were tremulous
with feelingi Her dark eyes were humid
and not with love. What was Willie but
mortal mana mortal man IN his twenty
second yeari If there fingered any coldness
in his feelings, her manner thawed it away.
She looked his own ideal Of herself now
grave, sweet, and, in his eyes, more beauti-
ful than a dream. Love came in like
food. The mysterious stranger-her frivolous
ways-his own misgivings-were quencneJ
in moment.
"Why are you gladf he asked, feeling
that he was treading on the verge of the most
delicious moment of his life, and holding
back in very fear of the joy at hand.
II have something to say to you, Willie,
she murmured Something very serious
Her voice was not the voice of love. Sad,
timorous, full of foreboding, intimating
dark, uncertain future. Willie stopped her.
"And have something to say to you'll Let
me speak firstl"
She raised her eyes. and read in his face
what was coming. For moment she seemed
irresolute, not knowing whether to speak or
be silent, and he seized his opportunity. He
drew her to his side, and in few low words
told her how much he loved her. A dozen
set speeches, carefully prepared beforehand,
were in his mind, and he forgot every word.
What he said he scarcely knew but story
such as he is telling is not likely to touch a
woman less because Of broken sentences. She
saw the light that shone in his clear eyes, and
the flush, the sign of a noble modesty, that
rose on his cheek He was bending over her,
looking at her with an earnest, passionate
face, SO real, SO true, SO manly in its gentle
not but have been moved. tHE
| And yet she stood with parrd lips, and an
expression which reflected atonce responding
passion and yet an anxious sorrow His
whole soul was in the present. She was his
all in all. The little spot where he stood was
his universe. But In, her eyes there was
look of deep thought-a preoccupation-
which showed that some remote interest,
claim or authority divided her mind and
forced her to keep herself in reserve. Willie,
however, did not interpret her manner. He
saw she listened to him with pleasure, and
that was enough. Such was his way Of tell
ing the story to me.
II am beginning life with good prospects,
Vanity" he said. l"If you allow me, can
offer you home tomorrow. My salary is
two hundred a year, and have of my own
nearly hundred more. Besides, am sure
to rise in the business and some day shall
be partner. Inever took much pleasure in
this before, because never was in love; but
now every advantage I possess is precious,
because it may recommend me to you. l
love you heart and soul, Vanity, and will
love you forever. if you give me leave What
do you sayW N"~yy.
She looked at him, greatly moved, but
with an excitement which she struggled to
repress-an excitement that was no part OF
love.
"Am I worthy Of you, VanityT' he went
on. "Could you trust me with your happi-
ness! Or is there any one better than me
whom you loveF'
Why did she not make any answer9 Why
did her eyes look about piteously, as if she
were deer hunted to the death, exhausted
with the fury of the chase, and, in the last
despairing love of life, gazing here and
there If there might be way Of escape9
She could restrain herself no longer A
sob, which appalled, her lover, broke from
her ashy lips For another moment she
struggled with irresistible grief; then all her
frame shook with cry ing, and she buried her
face in her hands D LaI
"Oh, Williel my heart is breaking to
night Breaking breaking forever broken! Y
Awe-struck, and scarcely knowing what
he did, Willie took her hand in his. But she
cast him off impetuously, and drew away
from him, as If there must be a space be
tween them.
''It is hopeless, Willie-hopeless," SHE
cried. II love you-more, far more thar
Willie remembered the story of the stran
ger. and his heart died within him.
"Vanity," he asked, with falterine
tongue, "are you-marriedW
MARRIED." she exclaimed, her excitement
arrested, as it seemed, by sheer surprise
'What made you think of such thingF'
She spoke as with Indignation but the ton,
vas music in Willie's eers.
eff you are Free" Ee said joyfully, II
you can return mv love. nothing else shal
stand between u.s."
He advanced tow" ~, but she suddenl,
bounded across & K that ran besid
them; and SO the 81 facing each other
lie ON this side and 5 ;, that.
SIS marriage the crft- Tar that can com
between us?' she asked. @ VI IA
II know no other" Willie answered, won
dering and fearing. Then, with gatherin
4 holiness, he cried, II fear no other" a.
"Poor boy" she answered, shaking he
head. "We have lived in different worlds
Listen !'-her voice became low and deep
''there runs between YOU and me Qike tina
stream) something which must divide us fol
ever. It is red as blood, hot as fire, cruel a
death. / love you, Willie. Who could hel
it? might have lived for you. God knows
this moment, could die for you But 20
must see me no more. There IS somethin
better in store for you than my love- Coco
bym -,
She turned. to go, and he would have 70
owed her; but, with an urgent gesture st
,notioned him back.
"If you love me-if you pity me-let me G
aione!' '.' '''>-
He stood on the other side of the ,brool
ufraid to follow. yet unwilling to ren,ail
He watched her as, with rapid steps, she hui
ried across the field to their own little gat.