The Florida agriculturist., 1889-07-10

towards you. / had never known before
what love was: there Is sort of sacri-
lege in my hanging around you, as
have been doing, not daring to show my
self to you as am. Two weeks ago
made up my mind never to see you again.
But l couldn't stand going off without
letting you know all about it. So here l
am, Miss Nolen, for the last time. can
look you in the face now and say good
by. And it won't hurt you to shake
hands with me-.
The changing tones, the passion, the
restraint and simple pathos with which
all this was said touched Paulines virgin
soul more deeply than it had ever been
touched before. She OWNED all that was
not spoken. and recognized the gallant
spirit of the man who loved her too well
to stay where she was; and whether or
not she had hitherto been conscious Of
It, her mind now contrasted the man,
fatally encumbered as he was, with the
free man that she had supposed him to
be; and involuntarily the question pre-
sented itself, Had he been free. would
she have yielded what he desired3 It
was q perilous question, but she con-
templated it steadily before dismissing
it. She had an intellect capable of dis
eliminating between merely conven-
tional morality and the deeper distinc-
tions between good and evil Her re-
spect was as small for the former as for
the latter it was profound.
eff you had not cared for me as you
do, you might have stayed, and we have
been friends, she said finally; ''but as
it is you are right to go. | am only
girl-and feel more than sorry for you;
were always here. No; l do not love
you'll don't think it, Mr.. Martin 1t is
only that-if l wanted to love you'll
should not send you away!"
Valentine sat silent; and whether he
were happier or unhappier than at any
previous period Of his life he could not
have told. So far as the significant part
J of his life was concerned, he felt that it
was over with him; he would never
henceforth be the victim of any strong
desires, hopes or fears. Only one possi-
BILE event would give him liberty. the op-
portunity to live a real life. 1t was on
the tip Of his tongue to ask Pauline
whether, in case this event occurred, she
would let him return to her: but an ac-
cident postponed the question and it was
never put. The two had been SO taken
up with what was passing between them
that they had not noticed the sound Of
the door bell or the tread of heavy foot
upon the hall floor. But at the moment
Valentine was about to speak. perhaps,
with the effect of changing all their
lives, the door was thrown open, and
Judge Ketelle abruptly walked into the
room
He stopped short on seeing the two,
and there was an instant of silent en-
barrassment; but the judge evidently
had something on his mind too serious
to be postponed for conventional formal
tiles. my dear girl" he said to Pau
line, ''you will excuse my blundering in
here, for it is probably better that /
should have met you before seeing your
mother. You will know better than l
how to carry my message"
'Have you bad news, Judge Ketelle?"
"Painful-no. no. not the worst! your
brother is perfectly we'll; he has suffered
no physical injury whatever. He paused
and turned to Valentine. II think this
is Mr.. Martini" he said.
Eyes; can l be Of any use?'
Il believe you are a friend of Percy'sl
Well, dare say you could be of some
consolation to him. He has got into a