The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-03-06

81 am come to say goodbye. / go t.
London to-day"
She answered not a word, but / fell
her hand tremble in my own. Her eye.
l could not see.
"Yes. l have loitered here long
enough, l continued. attempting t
speak easily; "a great many things cal
me to town"
Pauline was not looking in the best Of
health this morning. Her cheek wa:
paler than it had been since NV arrival.
She looked languid and depressed
Doubtless my presence had worried her
Poor girl. she would soon be relieved Of
that,
Seeing that / paused for her to speak
she found her voice. but even tina,
seemed to have lost some of its freshness
and tone
when do you go?" was all that she
said. Not word about my returnl
by the midday coach. | have still
some hours lefs. As it is the last time.
shall we walk to the Clearing togeth-
err"
do you wish it?''
'If you have no objection. Besides.
Iwant to speak to YOU about yourself
about business matters" L added. to
show that she need not fear the inter
view.
Il will come" she said. quitting the
room hurriedly.
l waited. Presently Priscilla APP
peared. She was looking daggers at
me-undeserved, at least from her.
Her voice was harsh and raspy. bring
ing back to my mind a familiar sound
of early childhood. when | had CON-
mitted some petty crime which excited
her ire.
Miss Pauline begs you will walk on
and not wait for her. She will join YOU
at the Clearing presently
l took my hat and prepared to do as
commanded. Priscilla had said moth
ing which showed she knew of my APP
preaching departure, but as | was
passing out of the house she said, in a
tone of whitening scorn:
Master Gilbert. you're a bigger fool
than | thought you were
Such an observation. even from an
old servant, could not be passed BY.
turned to demonstrate. Priscilla SIM
ply slammed the door almost against my
nose.
l walked away-the thing in the face
of my other troubles was not worth
thought. Of course | could not expect
Priscilla to enter into my feelings and
the delicacy of my position.
Besides. I must see her and have long
talk with her before left.
The Clearing, as we called it. was a
place on the hillside, not far away We
had stumbled upon it. almost by acct
dent, during our walks. A seldom
trodden path through the wood led to
a spot from which the trees and under
growth had been cleared. From it there
was a delightful view of the opposite
hills and the stream winding through
the valley. 1t was favorite resort of
mine. Here l sat for hours talking to
Pauline. and here in my dreams l had
poured forth the words of love longed
to speak-and here l was to say good
bye forever.
NV frame Of mind was q sad one
w HCu l. tCttIAitu lllC luIt"
myself down on the sloping ground and
turned my eyes up the path by which
she must come. A fallen trunk at my
back formed rest for my head-the
trees around were rustling in the soft
oreeze-the monotonous rush of the
stream below was soothing and lulling
a few white clouds sailed slowly
across the SKY. 1t was a drowsy.
ireamy, beautiful morning. l bad
scarcely slept for the last two or three
nights. Pauline fingered. Is it any
wonder that my eyes closed and for
awhile all sorrow and disappointment
were chased away by the Sleep l so
'orely needed?
Was it sleep? Yes. because one must
deep in order to dream. All, if that
lream were reality life would be worth
having. dreamed that my wife was
beside me. that she took my hand and
pressed her lips to it paSsionatcly, that
her cheek was almost touching mine,
hat could feel her soft. sweet breath
So real did it seem that | turned on my
lard rustic pillow toward the dream,
and then of course it vanished.
/ opened my ewes In front of me
stood Pauline. Those grand dark eyes
Of hers no longer yelled by the lashes,
out open and looking into mine. saw
hem but for second. but that was
ong enough for the look had sur
DriSed to send the blood throbbing
through my veins-to make me spring
20 nv feet-to embo,den me to take her
and swiftly in my arms-to
cover her sweet face with kisses, eiacu-
ating the only words that one can find
1t such time: Il love YOU, l love YOU,
love you''
For no man Vet has seen in q
eyes the look saw in Paul
mes unless that woman loves him
above all the world.
Pauline, Pauline" l cried: "do
-ou love me?"
A trembling which I knew was of
oy passed over her.
do | love YOU, love you" she
aid. and hid her blushing face on nv
shoulder. The words, the action. was
enough, but presently she raised her
lead and pressed her lips to mine.
Il love you-yes. l love you. my
when did you know? When did
-ou remember?
For 4 moment she answered not. She
broke from my embrace; then, opening
he bosom of her dress, drew forth
due ribbon which hung round her
leck. Upon it We're threaded the two
ings- They seemed to sparkle with
oy in the bright sun.
She detached them and held them
oward me. &C lbert. my love. my
husband. if YOU will that | shall be