Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-12-26

beyond her 0sserts. 81 nsver can a2one .
HIM, ~ ahe cried In her hearts sbut q least
viii try"
Humbly and gently, earnestly md nm.
tiringly, she strove from Day to day 70 ful.
fill her Duties as wife, to minister to hie
comfort and happiness in everv way. In
80 doing she gres moSe and moro to love
the generous ns:cre that never spoke q
word Of recrim4oation, and that always
showed appreciation of her smallest EFFORT.
She grew to love her husband with hnn-
CRY and despairing love-for she saw NO
hope ahead. Although always gentle and
kind. there was ever gentle reserve and
reticence that seemed to say: e'Thus far
shalt thou come, and no farther"
And she could not blame him! She dared
not. He was now giving her Tar beyond
what she had any right to expect
One evening, some months after Uncle
Aaron's death, Rose and Jacob were to-
gether in the library Jacobs favorite
room. Rose, always beautiful, dressed in
dress OF some soft and clinging silk, sat.
dreamily looking on into space, thinking Of
herself, Of Jacob and of Uncle Aaron.
1t was one Of her quiet times when she
did not fret inwardly-only felt glad and
thankful that she could be near him, humble
and devoted.
And Jacob? So true it is that love Is
blind! Why, he had always loved his wife,
and only her; but now that she had come
back to him, penitent and. OIL SO gentle, he
could ask nothing of her, he could exact
nothing from her. That she loved him he
never dreamed, and in his manly generosity
he would not demand any thing. All her
ceaseless care and vigilant watching for his
tastes and wishes he took to be but peni-
f0,
he have taken advantage of that Therefore
he was reserved; therefore he was reticent.
He feared to be otherwise, for still in his
heart, unchanged by time or trial, was the
one strong love of his life. He felt that il
he let go the leash he could not trust him.
self. ts W
He looked at her beautiful profile as she
sat there, graceful and womanly, uncon-
scious of his gaze, and he thought: ''How
love her. How every tiny move Of her
sweet mouth love. How I long to touch
the silvery gold of her hair" And then.
man-like, he said and did the exact opposite
of what he felt 'Did you 60 to Goupirs to-
day?" he said
sWhate Goupirsa" said Rose. "Oh, yes,
I did; but that painting by Kratzer was
gone" -
Then with the fatal blindness of we poor
mortals when we should see, she saw moth
ing, but relapsed into vague and dreamy
reverie of life and love. And life and love
were right there within her grasp, and she
knew it not.
Jacob sat, and looked and looked. Grow
ing restless at last, he arose and walked up
and down. Rose was accustomed to this,
and did not move. Then Jacob stopped his
tramp. and resting his elbow on the mantel-
piece, stood-a man Of whom any woman
might be proud. -
ssRose" he said.
eyes, Jacob" she answered, with the
| wistful look that was now her habitual ex-
preston. Eyes, what is it,"
ST have been thinking that it would be a
good thing if you and Alice went to Europe
this spring, and spent year abroad. She
has never been across the water, and it
| would perfect her in her French and help
| her in many ways"
Roses heart sunk with heaviness. She
| felt lonely sense Of desertion, that made
| her think DULY: 81 wonder if Jacob felt
| like this when left him long ago3 II so, ]
do not wonder that he can't forgive me-"
1t was some seconds before she could re.
ply, then she said, gently: eff you wish it,
Jacob-if you think it best"
eyes," answered Jacob, misled by her
quietness into thinking that she did not
mind leaving him. eyes. I think it would
be good thing for both of you. 1t would
| widen Alice's horizon in many ways by let
| ting her see more of the world, and it = ouId
| be change and relief to you to get away
from here and ali past associations
''It might be of good to Alleges" said
Rose, slowly.
''And not to you?'
''My only good is to be near you," an
| swered Rose, softly.
''What is that" answered Jacob, quick
| ~. sDon't make polite speeches to me-
! just to please me, Rose.''
81 am only speaking the truth, Jacob
| you know that'-gently still.
s'Rosel Do you mean to say that you
don't want to leave mea That YOU prefer to
remain here where am?'
eyes, Jacob"
If he had not looked at her just then and
| seen the hopeless droop of her head, per-
haps what happened would have never come
| to pass. But he did see it, and, kneeline
| down in front of her chair, he put his two
hands on hers, and said, passionately
'sRose, look at mel Here am at your feet
again, asking you if you"
"Oh, my husband!" cried Rose, while
q sweeping wave of color made her face
aglow with light; '.you could never love md
again."
'I have never stopped loving you, my
darling" rising to his feet 9nd clasping her
close to his heart "Why, Rose; why, my