Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-07-29


me iree-while l love you, Harold, )"
she said, distinctly. 81 am your
promised wife; we are to marry in O.
month from to-day. Surely you have
not forgotten, my dearest +"
clone, think what | have become
think what | must always be! can
not link your fresh life to this broken
one of mine. Nay, let me free you"
"Nay-do not say such cruel words,
unless you have not loved me, which
1 will never believe, dear. Harold, had
this accident happened to me, would
it have severed us?"
clone, do not tempt me to let you
sacrifice your life!"
He was fairly ashen, and on his
brow the great drops lay, cold as
deaths dews.
Oh, how his heart called for her
presence always !-how hard he found
IL to put from him the love which once
had crowned his manhood!
And she was kneeling beside him,
looking at him with her earnest, ten
der eyes, which had so long been his
sunlight.
How could he resist the impulse to
put cut his arms, draw her face close
to his own, and implore her to never
leave him?
He could not, but that he feared she
would regret what pity, added now to
her love, would make her promise.
"Go from me, lionel" he cried des-
perately, at last. '"The sight of your
face humans me. | am growing weak
from thetouch of your hand. All, had
l died that day."
"My love, my Lowell" she cried pas
sionately, the calm passing from face
and voice at once, stormy, surging
feeling in its place. "Do you not real
ize yet how much of my life is mingled
with your own? Do you not know
that, had you died, l would have a
widowed heart for my whole life long?
that | have thanked God again and
again for leaving me your life? What
is your affection to me but a reason
for loving you more dearly? Do not
tell me you wish to send me away. |
could not go-I will not! My place is
near you. will give it up to none,
Harold, do you not understand me
yet? Then pass all other things by,
and remember only this-T love you"
Her arms were about his neck as she
finished, his face drawn to her bosom,
as mothers draw the faces of their SUI
fering children, who, through that sui
fering, are made evea dearer; and the
man who had been so strong and
proud but a few brief weeks before,
sobbed like a little child.
All rebellion against the decree Of
One who had smitten so sorely and
forbidden him to ever stand again
among men, melted from Harold's
heart. The impatience and bitterness
went from him as he remembered that
the cry of his soul had gone up to the
Throne Of God, and been so tenderly
answered.
"Had you spared me that one thing
the love of this one woman-I could
bear all elser' hehad exclaimed in bit
terness.
With grateful heart he accepted now
the great gift Of that fathomless affec-
ton which women have lavished on
all sorts OF men since those early days
when men were willing to prize it.
clone, my love, will you never re-
greet ?" he whispered, presently.
She smiled proudly as she answered
him:
'Never, beloved! Let me be with
you, and no regret can come to mel"
So, in a month they were married,
he sitting in his chair, she standing be-
side it, fair and happy, and with stead
fast light in her eyes, which thrilled
him to the soul.
1t was a year later that an eminent
surgeon became interested in the young
author and made an examination OF
his crippled limbs.
''What sort of men were they who
told you you would never Walk"
asked the great man, scornfully. "I
contradict them. I say you shall
walk, if you will trust me to perform
an operation which will test your
nerve, young sir. What do you
say?"
"What!" Harold's face became
white with intense emotion. 81 will
say that God has sent you, if you can
accomplish what you promise; and [
am not afraid Of any physical pain"
every WE'LL !" said the surgeon; "but
you needn't call me a heaven-sent
messenger. Only that I know my
business, and can sever a couple of
contracted Cords"
Inc operation was performed, and
Harold's chair was vacant for long,
weary weeks; but when those weeks
had gone, the surety came that the
young man would be able to stand
firmly on his feet shortly, almost as
strong and straight as ever-not
quite.
81 am so glad, for your sake, dearr"
his wife said, tenderly, when they were
sure.
He looked at her with eyes which
held something very like worship.
''My darling" he answered, IT feel
as though a miracle had been worked
for me, and it was done because God
would not let you be burdened all
your life with crippled husbandp
But she stopped him with a kiss.