Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-21
THE RICHMOND DIsPATCH--sUNDAY, JULY p, 1882

fears that IL sounds Ms IL he thought her
neplectfui or ungratcful. But ne mas loiigsu
so intensely for her presence tha1 VIZ
words escape him before he can check
them. And as she pausea one hioI Lsii.
she takes it all in at y glance; MS nun
which had been shaved close 10 MS nes Ii
mas grown cut in n proiuslon OF snIVIr''
| light curls ~ fair and soft az chliQ J.
| They aud the slight mOustacne give no
! face a singularly boyish look. H..
alariory has never thought what sue
would saw or do at this interview. tQr since
she hes hesrd how much he has lost through
! her and how near 30 The Gates OF Death no
/ has been. she has not understood heI own
| heart. But now a. she stands before nm IN
and sees his wasted frame, robbed OF al JUS
manlv strength and beauty, and secs the
wc,k hands and sightless eyes turned so
/ gladly to her-tbo source OF all ms misery
her whole heart goes out to HIM IN great
wave Of tender, pltiful love
IL came TO see you many times Wnoh you
were in the city, she says, but the doc
tors would admit no one"
And then all her 5olf-control backs down,
and. dropping on her knees beside MN.
she clasps both his wasted hands III ueis
and sobs az if her heart would break.
why, tender heart he says g9gIntly
lyon must not take II like this. nose
u
ferlng ever could"
oh" she cries, "to think what you
have lost through me. knew tnag l
would bring you trouble. II is my fate
He withdraws one hand and strokes her
bowed head with a tender touch.
"DO you think, dear one he says
that grieye for having given my eyes
! for you when ! would so gladly have gwen
my life ? | see now that 1t oil happened
& L.. 1. 1 inc
/ never could have seen you again. ana /
would have worn my life away IN greet
and longing. can't 20 now and shail
| be far happier here whore ] can see you
! sometimes You NAV think that sounds
/ strangely, but whenever 1 hear your voice
| the sight Of your dear face will come be
/ fore me, fresh and lovely. just as II looked
| that last day. Age will never fade 1t, time
can never dim II. You may grow old,
! your sweet face may fade, and Your dark
| hair become silvery. but 90 me You VIII
ever be the beautiful picture that ! saw
| that last day. All, me how fairyou We're.
You will come and see me sometimes
will You not :"
Maurice" she says. in voice that fall
! ters strangely. " II viii stay with You ll-
WAYS if Won want me- Why don't YOU ask
me again the question that you asked me
! that day.
she nlieS lef lace aFElf~N Ills III Ail. -.i.t
/ he can feel the warmth Of her hot check
/ through his thin sleeve.
! He stO0ps rs II to clasp her IN his arms;
| but stops suddenly and fights down the
/ temptation with all his might.
My hearts love- he says in low tone,
/ do YOU think me weak enough 10 accept
/ the sacrifice. - let Won link your bright
young life To- my darkened one just for
/ pity; IL Is like you, my sweet one, but,
| thank God. am strong enough to resist
| even that temptatiou.'
She Is stu for an instant, the next words
are st.ll harder 90 say. He is praying for
strength 10 give her mp, and presently her
voice breaks the stiffness.
But. Maurice how his name on her
| lipe thrills his hearts. 81 il would Dee no sac
ridce. I ask no greater happiness than 10
spend the rest of life iu watching over you
and caring for YOU. for I love you"
And she does not with the passionate,
romantic love that she felt tor her young
/ husband. for she vorshippcd him rs "a
young dom-god. and That bi-stul happi-
/ ness died with him. but with calm. ten-
der love that viii last through life. true.
steadfast affection, which Is perhaps the
| happiest love after all.
Into his pale face there leaps a light
/ that VIZ never on land or sea- and clasp
/ ing her i'm his arms he cries. IN glad,
| triumphant voice, Ny life. my darling
! love wins love- and my great love has won
/ you at last
/ The Esd.