Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-03-15

l ~ engraved writing desk number OF
letters lay unopened. He was CHANGING
over them carelessly and with little in.
| terest.
I But he opened one and read some
| thing which made him start. 1t was
\ from his cousin who had been very
negligent in her correspondence with
him while he was across the waters.
'Of course you remember Mamie
ONeil," she ran on in the breezy
fashion that most girls have "she was
considered tho handsomest girl in our
set year ago. and now she is perfect
wreck. She has been growing more
\ and more fral all the time. and no one
seems 10 know what is the matter with
her. Her parents have tried the best
physicians but to no purpose. Her
health does not improve in the least.
Poor girl. she is seldom seen at par
ties any more and when she does appear
she seems only ghost of her beauti-
full SELF"
Will Harding dropped the letter and
leaned his head back against the chair.
He seemed lost in deep thought for a
| moment.
How well he remembered Mamie as
she looked the last time he saw her, so
beautiful. with the blonde hair thrown
back carelessly from her white brow
and the rosebuds at her throat. What
a picture she had made in the quaint
gown with the laces and the ribbons all
about her II was picture he had
carried with him through all his tray
els, upon the rivers. among the noun
tains. in matchless moonlight nights
upon Italian seas-eyerywhere-in rain.
shine. in daylight and in darkness
And no beauty among women however
rad ant. had ever, for one moment eff
faced that sweet picture.
In all those months he had suffered.
suffered as only strong men can who
set their hearts upon idols. He had
complained not But now when he
thought that she had suffered, the
knowledge wrung his heart. So is it
ever with unscltish love.
He proceeded stiles sly to finish his
mail.
why what is thisP" HIS fingers
trcmbled MS he broke the seal of the
last one. Surely that writing looks
fam liar"
He opened it eagerly-and saw-a
bunch of pansies.
Could it be trueP He rubbed his
eyes to assure himself he had not fallen
into a day-dream.
But no, he was not, there they lay.
beautiful and perfect. pressed against
the shaded card
At the sight Of these flowers the heart
leaped within him. Was it not the
token of love ahd forg ;veness. The sign
that was between them.
1t was not many hours before he was
ascending the steps Of the o Neil resi-
dence.
He was shown into the drawing
room.
Somebody in pure white was reclin-
ing upon the sofa. She rose as he en-
tered. but catching sight of his face
fell back with an exclamation of sur
prise.
Before she could speak. however. his
arms were around her.
Don't faint" he said, smiling into
the wh;to face. Are you not glad to
see meP"
Yes. the trembling lips faItered
-''but l did not know you were in
town"
But you sent the flowers-"
YES, to be forwarded to you across
the sea-"
but is this not better TO see me in
person. to know from my own lips how
| have longed for one sight of your
| lovely face"
Il, too. have suffered" she said
simply.
Can doubt itP" He replied look
ing tenderly into the sweet face so worn
with its silent sorrow.
And you know all now and believe
mep' he asked
Yes. know that you were honor
able-that YOU were not engaged to Eva
| Noble, when YOU asked me to become
your wife. But OH. | was so blind and
proud in my folly that night would
have believed anything but your truth
and honor. 1t was not until months
afterwards that learned the truth from
Eva Mobiles own lips, that l believed
your story. Can YOU evey, ever for
give me?'
You were forgiven long ago." he
said kissing away the tears from her
eyes.
From that day." she continued. ~
was wretched, gricving day and night.
l remembered my promise given TO you
that if l found out your words were
true would senL back the valentine
you gave me-but. oh. | was too proud
not, and. besides. how did know but
what you had met some one else whom
| you loved better than me?
"Oh. no. no! that could never be-"
He kissed the white hands he held in
his own with a passionate protestation.
But what finally induced YOU to
send me the tokenP" he asked pres
entity.
The fact that your cousin told me
you were coming home shortly and
alone. 1 knew then YOU had not
changed and sent the card hoping il
would reach you before you sailed from
England. But | suppose now that it
was detained here.
YES. as l came home two weeks
earlier than l expected. But whether
l got it here or there makes little differ
ence. 1t is JOY TO me to know that l
am cleared of any suspicion of dshon-
or in the eyes Of the only woman have
ever loved. Oh Mamie! how could you
ever believe that l would be engaged
to one girl and ask another to become
| my wifppn