Daily Republican., 1886-04-02
A Test of Faith.
BY GUINEvKRR.

II was not an attractive scene tina
little room under the roof of one O
those tall brick buildings into which
dozens of families are crowded, with
out regard to number or nationality.
The walls were dingy, the furnish
ings shabby, there was low fire II
the rusty little stove, and low lig h
Pickering from the bracket-lamp.
AT the table, with a meagre mea
before them, sat two persons, who's,
appearance lily corresponded with
their surroundings young man with
fine features, and girl slender ane
pale, but with q form whose ever,
curve was grace itself, and face re
markedly pretty despite the worn look
the weary lines, and circles under thu
great dark eyes
Rollo Bartram pushed his plate aside
with n heavy sigh.
II can't eat" he muttered; the food
seems TO choke me. can do nothing
but think, and see no way out OF it
Grace, how can this endr'
"We must not despair yet" an.
swered his wife, with a show of cheer
fulness.
"But it is fer your sake l despair.
What have l doneP Taken you from
home of plenty, promised to care for
you, and brought you to this"
but it is not your fault, Rollo,"
she said gently. "You could not help
il that things went wrong all along,
and fortune deserted you. l don't
blame you, Rollo, dear"
He sat in moody silence, his head
upon his hands, and as his eyes were
not upon her, Grace felt no further
need of forcing the bright look to her
face, and CLEAN OF hope to her eyes.
She had her times, too, of melan-
choly and moodiness, but whenever
her husband appeared downcast she
tried to be hopeful for his sake.
Now she rose and carried away the
tea things, her lips compressed, a few
light lines on her white forehead.
Rollo rose and donned his coat and
hat.
"I'm going to make another at
tempt" he said. ~ hear that Palmer
has lost his book-keeper, and perhaps
there will be chance there. 1t
wait till morning l may be too late.
knew him once in the old times, and
guess he'll see me nOw."
Grace came and kissed him as she
held the door open.
- You won't be late, dear"
No; goodbye"
She stood there until she could no
longer hear his footsteps, then, closing
the door, she staggered to the nearest
chair and sank down with her hands
clasped tightly and the tears coursing
down her cheeks.
"Oh, this life. this life," she
How much longer can l
bear it? Sometimes / think my love
is insufficient for this awful test. Why
must it be? Ii once seemed so bright,
and now"
"Grace %
She sprung to her feet and faced the
speaker, tall man in fur-trimmed
coat, with seal cap resting on the
blonde hair that waved back from a
face of patrician beauty.
" Lance Harland !" she exclaimed,
and flush swept from chin to brow
He stood an instant regarding her,
and something like pity softened his
gaze as he noted the shabby black
dress. the tired face and dlsheveled
brown hair.
II raped several times, but gaining
no response, took the liberty of enter
ing. l saw your-husband on the
street"
She was standing in the same shrink
ing attitude, one hand clutching the
back OF the chair, the other outstretched
As though to repel him.
why did you come here?'she asked
loarsely.
ITO see you, Grace. You were
,ruel to me in the old days, but for
gave you long ago. l loved you then,
love you now.'
'Hush-you forget"
She drew herself erect then and
aced him proudly, but the next instant
he had buried her face in her hands,
md broke out into bitter weeping.
Lance Harland came and led her to |
he little sofa, drawing her down be-
ide him and clasping her cold, tremb-i
ing fingers in his own.
MY poor little GIRL" he said gently;I
fate has not been kind to you. All,
trace, If you had NOT sighted me then,
I you had accepted my love and pro-
ection. you never would have knownl
hese trials and hardships. l ami
Sealthier now than then; all my spec
Ilations have been successful, and all |
all would have been yours.
She listened to his words as though
carcely comprehending them, a dazed
1ok on her pretty face, look of an
uish in her eyes.
!" Some men in my position would
eloice at your misfortunes," went on
ne low, winning voice, "but | love
gu too well. l would aid you. Oh,
race, Grace, il it were only possiblei
recall the past, if these bonds could
e severed and you could return to the
fe that is yours by right of mind and
eauty. This is worse than death for
ou." II
Z" Yes, yes" she murmured, think
g only Of her pitiful position. i!
" If it were in my power, how
adly would / give the jewel fit set
ng," said Lance. "Is he SO selfish 4
has no regard" II
-" No, no. do not blame him." she g
led. 1t is not his fault! Lance-lC
anee Harland, leave me | You have
right to talk to me like this. Go,
}, l cannot listen now"
" But you will let me 'befriend t
III ?"
How can ?" 10
" AS friend, brother, who would =
Ill ~