Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-29
ayes. but IL has Il disadvantages. II

IL is, am saddened-saddened by d.
mi ution Of my faith in certain possiblli-
ties, Of course; but chiefly that these men
should lose by their folly all that those
possibilities might have done for them"
"And you have disbanded the C lOnyp"
said Constance, bringing him back to the
mann facts.
'Yes, they all professed to be very
sorry and some OF them were honestly re-
p-ntant; but, of course, that was the only
thing. They would have disbanded with
out me. 1 don't know why they should
be grieVed when | save them the trouble"
''Ah, they loved YOU" murmured Con-
stance.
''They are willing that should pay
their way home" said March, tersely.
Constance smiled.
"Well, that is a proof of liking" she
answered. They wouldn't let every one
pay their way"
''UnfOrtunateIy no one tempts them"
And after tsis they were silent for a
moment.
''Owen DEAR" said Constance, at length,
81 seem very safe-very securely yours
sitting beside you here, don't 1? But you
don't know what may be going on in
Judea-yes, even at this moment"
Her voice shook and she made the first
advance OF her life in running her hand
vaguely over his head.
son, didn't tell yOu-how could | tell
yOur' She drew herself away. 'Owen,
Mr.. KeatOr is tn decide it by the lott"
''Constancew he cried, aghast, as he
started up.
Il feared you would feel sou
She bit her lip and TREMENDOUSLY turned
her face to the sofa ba k.
He tnok her gently by the shoulder and
drew her about.
Constance; Constance dear, don't vex
yourself about my failing. Surely you
you have enough else. But why did you
never tell me that this blind chance was
TO be the final judge between usp Why
did you leave me in ignorance until nowP
"Untn now it was never important.
How could dream of MIR. KeatOr's fail
urel What good would il have done
yOugr cried the girl, affilctedly. "And,
you remember" she added, with the ghost
Of a smile, "that you were interested in
something else when told you the story
in ths fly-gallery."
"Oh, never mind, dear; never mind! We
have the fact now. That is enough. But
1 never thought of thisY' exclaimed ne,
heavily. "DO you think / should have
been 50 light-hearted ii had imagined
that this was all our happiness hung
upon: When you told me just now was
a little shocked at Mr.. keatOr's failure,
but | was not surprised. Perhaps it is
easier for me to understand 1t tnan for
YOU" He smiled faintly. sin the ma
ture Of things you can't appreciate the
temptation; yet L thought he would re-
treat
Constance sighed, remembering how he
had endeavOred TO retreat and how she
had prevented him.
ID YOU tank y0u wOuldf' she asked
him, with melancholy gayety.
"pm not a clergyman. It's not ques-
ton Of sacrificing my ministry"
That makes IL harder, but he won't
Turn back-nOt now"
March turned away desperately and
went over to the window. Tue ground
was covered with snow, and the snow
birds were hopping about on its gllsten-
ing surface ana calling one another from
the gaunJ tree tops.
IAN, you must see he puts 1t beyond
reparatiOn by this public exhibition. Ii
/ it Is favorable to him, this lottery, he will
not have the surrender Of his ministry to
/ restrain him. He will have lost all reason
! for remaining in the cnurch by linking
your name with has in this devilish de-
vice of tue lot. They talk of marriage as
holy. Think Of deciding sue a thing by
the choice of bits of paper! 1t is child
ishw exclaimed March, pacing the room,
lit is hIdeOusp
Constance turned her anguised face to
him.
The lot is cast into the lap" she
said, gently, with "A memory of Mr.. Kea.
/ tors solemn quotation; "'but tue whole
dispOsing thereof is OF the Lord"
March came quickly over 10 where she
sat.
1T is natural that they should defend
il with quotations." He paused a mo
ment. thou ghtfuly. "lt must seem just
and right to them. They would not do any
thing tnat did not, and no DOUBT it is as
good way as another. Marriages musl
be 50 much matters of chance, III any
event. But it's hard"
HE has my promise" she said, very
| quietly. you must remember that; and
Whatever the failure for him or ruin fol
Us We mustn't feel that he Is going beyond
Unat.'
Her hands were locked in her lap, and
her face wore an expression OF acute
misery.
lie sank into a seat beside her on the
s0ld aud drew her 10 him.
You are right, ddrlIag; you are al
ways right he kissed her softly. "Ant
am eXqulsitely wrong. You will always
had ne -, L fear. Perhaps you might b t
Ter accept Mr.. keatOr, however the 10
decides
sue gave him an indulgent smile, but
GOA, we musn't laugh" she said. "FnInb
If it should come tiue!"
He caught her closer.
DON'T talk OF It, dearest. Talk oil
deatn, but don't talk of my losing you =
\ ltght knock came at the door and she
rose aud took from one OF the negro SER
wants the mailbag which Mr.. Ech0ls
sent to QulnuImOut daily. Among the
/ letters sue found one tor herself.
at is from Mr.. keatOr," sne exclaimed.
softly. as she turned it over.
Marcn waited silently XVnfIo aha Ouarad
it.
1t must have been written the day af-
ter We left" she murmured, as she began
70 read.
"Wnat is it, deari7 asked March, al
| length. Does he reIeut2"
She gave hard little laugh,
Il have arranged ali as you WISH" she
| read. We shall be taken together in the
lot on Thursday. l will WRITE"
"Whdtd does ne mean?-'as you wishg y
asked Marcn, tersely, as he started up.
He wanted 70 give it up-tO retreat.
| When be mad made his declaration ne was
sorry for il. But then, Of course, it was
for me to insist"
And you inslstedg"
"Ah! you don't blame me, Owenp You
| wuulIn'J have had me do less?"
"Blame you, darling? never imagined
/ anything half 50 fine. On, Constance"
ne whispered, as he took ner checks be-
/ tween his hands, tit Will always be my
/ dearest privilege to have known you even
though We must always live apart"
She smiled.
at Is to-day. you know" she said.
Yes, Thursday - he assented, in grieV-
GUS meditation. Even now they may be
deciding our fate"
1--WE shall hear Saturday." she said,
! thOugnttully, as be drew his hands away.
Not TO be there 20 change or prevent;
/ that IS the bitter thing. On, Constance"
/ he cried, ut is intOlerablel We are stand
/ ing by here with tied hands and our future
is being parcelled out 10 US"
But parcelled out by God" she said,
| wistfully.
He took UP his hat and coat. Constance
did not attempt 10 stay him.
"Ah, let US hope sop he said, with a
groan.
He stopped and kissed her and was
gone.
XIV.
Rose came into the library In her walk
ing apron when she had heard her brother
enter the house after his visit tOCOnstance.
He was sitting in mis- leathern chair vita
his head bowed upon his hand. she went
softly over and t,ucned him. He glanced
up VITA quick smile and drew her
gTeedIly down 10 him. He felt the isOla-
ton which follows every species OF
wrong. 1t seemed TO him that ne had put
himself at odds with the world. Rose
was his one sure friend. She was COM
paniOn sail upon a sea otherwise fright
iuliy desOlate, and he believed he knew
that no storm would induce her to aban-
don him