Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-02-14

younger slsIeT merry lace. anu uWelt
ON il again and again, until it grew
warm under his regard; and Vala
saw but made 40 sign, although in
this whole world of aching hearts none
ached so keenly as that Of the wo-
man, who, havi-g waited for eight
years for Ter lover, saw his face at
last, and found it cold for her, no love
light on 1t.
The moon peeped through the
branches before Roy took his leave
and went to his home, the simple,
humble home which ne had left that
he might find better fortune in the
world abroa1.
And as he road under the moon
beams more than once he sighed. A
bright, glad face had been with him
in al! his wanderings; worn, white
one had met him on his return. He
had forgotten chat years and pain
CO. Ild fade and change his girlish
love; and now
He sighed again, and at that mo-
ment dark object fitted over the
roadway. and his horse sprang to one
side. The leap would have done no
harm but that trench had been late
ly dug by the roadway and the start
led horses hoofs struck the edge otit,
slid, recovered, slid again, and horse
and man were flung PROSTATE into the
trench.
A struggle, fierce and short, and
the horse scrambled to his feet and up
the bank; but Roy lay there, crushed
and torn by the cruel hoofs, with a
sprained ankle and broken arm, and
several gashes from which the blood
gushed, until at last he tainted; and
then q cold gray Frightening in the
east, and the freshness of dawn was
about him and aid was near; but he
knew nothing of 1t at all.
When he awoke to life again he
found himself on couch, with cool,
soft hand on his forehead, and the
faint perfume of roses about him.
And Vala sat near, with the olden
look in her halle eyes and a tremu.
lous smile on her lips.
Somehow, as he watched her, she
seemed again his love, his darling, the
bride for whom he had come over
land and sea, and he put up a weak
hand and pressed the cool fingers
more closely to his brow.
You are better she said softly,
Your horse threw you and they
brought you here. At first we thought
we feared-'
The soft voice broke; she could not
help it. She lowered her pale face to
the arm of her chair and burst into
sobs. -,
| And sudden memory came tc him
of the last time she had sobbed so in
his presence, and his heart grew warm
and tender for the woman who had
loved him all these years.
| Somehow. as he put out his weak
hand and carressed the soft curls of
her hair, the old love grew strong in
his bosom, and he cried aloud for
Vala
Dear he said, family, stay here
beside me. Let no one minister to
me save you my dearest one
She lifted her face, and it was
again the face of the girl from whom
he had parted; glad, t~emulous, flush
ed with color that made it fair as
the dawn, alight with love.
You want me, Roy?' she whispered
eagerly. You care for me still? l
thought that you would be glad to
have me set you free. And | would
have done so dear, would have done
so had you wished it,
And he knew, even as Ina entered
with her light, free step, that he did
not wish her to set him free. He was
human, and had been too sangulne in
coming for his bride, hut he knew
that 1t was Vala for whom he had
struggled. Vala who had been true
to him so long. Vala for whom he
had come so far; and let her be
changed as she might outwardiy, he
realized that the heart of tho gill beat
still in the breast of the woman.
And so he drew her down until her
tender face rested near his own.
you would set me free? he whis-
pered. Vala. my beloved, you love
me, keep me bound to you, for have
not wished my freedom, and ] have
come here for my wife Ina glanced
curiously at the two faces, the clasped
hands, the warm color in her sisters
thin cheeks, and smiling quietly she
glided out.
'They look so very happy, mamma,
she said to her mother, whom she met
at the door. Come away; it would
be pity to disturb them. '-.Satw7ay
Night.
Surrounding New York harbor with