The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-02-06

AeT companionsA As their consciousness grew less lntensa, their joy aud soErow less real, her individuality feFnaiss2 the same Gradually she became more and moTa separated from those for whom she had done so much. and also from the old chain of circumstances and feelings which had bound her before, She stood aloof in her solitude, and saw the old life fall away. saw the old companions die out till they were only faint echoes or dim visions,
 Then she was left alone, with 10 life to tul for others, failure for herself alone.
 But do not repent" shesaid, speak inH to me tor the last time. "lt was Q good thing to do, and the rest arc free, 1 would have done It for that alone, lt used to seem terrible thing to inc, ~asa first grew to understand 1t, to think of all those lives marked out to live, those loves to be felt. those sins to be done, without aay choice. But since then have wondered in my great loneliness whether you in the larger world have any more cho,oe, though you think yoa have. Those poor things thought they had. too, and thought 1t once aud l have won. dssed whether 1T any oi you set sas enough to see what you are, the hope lesSness and lriviality of t will no, dnve you ,e despair, as 1t did me. But can- not tell. VIII any of you be strong enough to reach higher knowiedge. and will it also prove to be death and oblivion Wili IL be the fate ot one. as Il has been mine, to fad that greater truth which Is the end oi lite. aud, having opened the door by which the others go out, la be left alone tn all eternity with no way of passing throughT
 al should never have the courage to seek such a way" ansScred, shudder- ing.
 You cannot tell what you would do if the need proved strong enough. And now want to ask one thing for mysei; this is for myself alone. IL Is that you will go away from this place again, and never return to 1t. think oi you always with gratitude and kindness. To have known you Is some compensation for having been compelled, in tho existence from which you delivered me, to love" she stopped and shuddeTed. will not go back 10 sha. evil thought, which covers me still with humiliation. Your memory is pleasant 10 me. but your pres ence fills me with too strong life. Too strong because have nothing to do with It. aud am As putposeless AS a shadow. When you are far away my thoughts are dim like dream, hardly know that l go on existing one day perhaps 1 may go out altogether. For you will forget me, perhaps, and |, Is only in your m,nd that nos live not the old life. newer though a lonelier one
 "i fear that l shall never forget you,"t answered in low voice.
 !" mus, wait longer then," ahe an sweted with a wan sweet smile when the end comes for you II will come for me, too. There iA some pleasure ln the thought. We have never lived tho sane lie have been only vision to you but wc may at iaAAt dia together, and that will be a kind of meeting. Good-by
 She smiled with quivering lip, and put ou, my b and to touch heTs it seemed so real to me that 1 felt as ii l m ght claSp 1t, and draw hct from her shadowy world to my real oae But sha drc back, shook her head, and smiled again
 Let me gol' she said "never call nc to this stronger lie aRain lt can only be an added paia to uS both
 My hand dropped. had DO strength to protest, but watched her as she faded from my siEht, and then put my hand over my eyes. ieeling as n had parted rem friend who WAS very dear to me.
 pevcT saw her again. II she still hAunts the old hall at Alder,hwAte, 1 shall no, know. Pea 70 he with her sweet strong spiti, ii IL has not yet toand its Eest
 shall never marry Alison was my 6rAt love after | lost her [ never io0ked sn another woman whom 1 desired to mako my wife About all. in spite oi their faiIneaA. the,s was sovse,hing hard. and cold. and worldly That vi.ion that had had ei A saAering creature. who was willing to aaiieI siiii fl her compass ions might be set free. came between me and all the bright beauty of girls who hardly knew what trouble was l, comes between me and my old ambitions nos.
 What A strange thing it Is 10 look for- ward to my osn death. knowing that h will bring hss freedom and theselofe hes / f A.