Daily Republican., 1885-01-10
COUNTING THE COST.
BY CLYDE RAYMOND.


and general dismAlness of the day would
have done credit to London at its worst
and Ida Groyson stood at the window
OF her we'll nigh comfortless room look
ing down upon the cheerlsss street.
She had pretty face. but just now II
was cloudsd with trouble and discon.
tent. An anxious frOwn drew her
dark, straight brows close together, and
the brilliant, dark eyes beneath were
gloomy M the day itself.
"All for love, and the world well
lost" she muttered 10 herself in q tone
of deep disgust. "Ah, yes That does
we'll enough for romantic simpletons
/ thought no once, but ! see my folly
now. oh, Heaven! cant endure 1t
To think Of the ease and comfort and
luxury OF the home left, and TO look at
this"
And the dark eyes swept with
gloomy disdain over the cheerless apart
ment.
just then the door opened and man
a young, handsome and noble look
ing fellow-.n tered the room. Mrs.
Greyson gave him one quick, ipquirinQ
glance. and then, noting u certain shad
ow In his frank, blue eyes, she turned
again to the window, with only one
WIN IA O ObC Va hoPolCSb III
quirv.
"Wsll,?
"Well, Ida," responded the Young
man. pleasantly, coming to her side
and putting his arm about her should
ers, / have not succeeded yet, but
will In time. Don't get discouraged
darling. for l must get place soon,
and when do I'll work for you as q
man never yet worked for the wife he
loved. Won't your give me one smile,
Ida, to cheer me after whole day q
disappointing search 2" he added,
wistfully, after slight pause, In which
his young wife had shown no inclina-
tion TO reply.
Still, for moment longer she remain
ed silent, as II trying to summon all
her resolution for some disagreeable
task.
Il have been doing come thinking
to-day, Dick" she replied at last, in q
voice that sounded constrained and
harsh--she was trying 80 hard TO keep II
steady. have been thinking what fool,
We were 10 sacrifice friends, home, com
fort, and all our prospects in life for tn,
sake of a foolish, romantic lovedream
Dick, ! cannot endure this poverty
these bi ter Disappointment any lon
ger. And IL In growing worse every
day. have made up my mind 70 q,
home"
| "Idar'
| Dick Greyson reeled as though he bat
been struck. while hts bright ,handson,
face grew deatbly pale. TOO well h'
knew what that d. cision meant for him
If Ida returned To the home Of her pa
rents she must return alone. That wa
| xuall knntEn "a hofh of than ys.
here she was telling him in that cold
steady tone, that she had resolve,
TO go.
While all these bitter thoughts wen
whirling wildly through his brsi
his young wife stood by the windo,
looking out upon the dismal, drizzl
afternoon, yet seeing nothing, for sb
kept her eyes upon the outward scou
only that they might not zoe tn
agony which she knew her words ha
caused.
} " Ida, for Gods sake, you don mea
to leave me ?" burst from Dick Grey
sons lips in perfect wall of surpris
} and hopeless sorrow.
. am going iioIne," she repeated, 1
q, that low, firm tone, and-and 20
know wha. that means, Dick. l al
sorry. but IL will be better for us bot
;. ! -better for you and for me-"
s And this In the end of the happine,
we dreamed of six months ago Onl
!, six months aao-think of that, Ida
l and you already regret our marriage.
/ The voice in which these words wei
uttered Was NO broken, no hopelessl
sorrowful that only a hard heart or
! will Ct adamant could have wittstOo
it.
: 81 regret our proverty, and / see n
! hope of anything better in the future,
. she answered, almost sullenly. 70
cannot get work, and without IL we sha
D starve. Love is all very well, Dicl
: bun we cannot expect 10 live on this
alone. My home ia still open to me-
], an elegant, luxurious home, where
, should never know want or care"
. And yet you were willing enoug
, to leave 1t only six months ago for IN
t sake" ne answered bitterly, for he
seeming heartlessuess reused spar
70 of resentment in his breast. " 70
vowed 10 me then that you could nevt
repent your choice. You thought the
that my love WAS we'll worth any sacr
fee that you could make to gain it.
because / did not then stop I
count the cost" she retorted, turnin
about at last with "a smoldering light Ii
her dark eyes that might have beel
either Of anger or grief, for she sept he
feelings well il check "tut hav,
learned il since, and regret, as mucl
for your sake as my own, thu We eve
took such a foolish step. Dick, l an
sorry 1t has come to this
"Stop - Dick raised bis dropped
head and looked her proudly In thu
face, his blue eyes flashing through d
mist Of unshed tears that were NJ
shame TO his manhood 90 Say no more
: Ida: YOU have never heard me com
plain of that fooliyh step, as you cal
our marriage. No as God is my judge
my love for you Ia such that l would
never shrink from any toll or privatior
If your love and sympathy were my
reward. But since you repentit-sinct
you desire 10 leave me and return u
your home aud to your girlhood's free
dom, no doubt" bitterly, 81 shall moi
/ attem ut to dissuade you even by q
word. go and leave you free to make
a wiser choice when you and your
wealthy friends shall have severed the
bonds which have grown 30 hateful to
you"
And, without single plea for her
love or emembrance, without one kiss
or parting embrace, but with one back
ward look of proud, departing sorrow,
he left forever the room which he bad
entered 30 short a TIM before with a
heart thrilling with confidence and
hope.
: There was one 10y, regretful cry as
the door closed behind him, the dark,
slender figure in Ie crimson wrapper
by the window dipped to the floor,
and, crouching ttre, with her arms
crossed over a hair and her dusky