The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1890-02-06


make money and get on
"You are doing we'll here" said Aaron,
doubtfully.
I'm one sense, yes," said Julian; Gin
another, no. A man must not peril his
health or his reason. If danger
threatens them from any quarter, he
must shun it."
Aaron asked no explanation. He
looked grave, and he held Julian's hand
longer than usual when they parted
that was all.
The days flew by. Julian was ready
for his departure. Aaron Pennel one
morning sat in Julian's room and talked
as people do when their minds are on
some subject which they hesitate to
mention.
At last he asked: "Have you hidden
goodbye to Amy Atkins?"
Julian flushed and shook his head.
ut does not matter" he said, in .
somewhat melancholy tone. "We shall
not probably meet again, nor will she
care"
Il think she would" said Aaron.
'You will hurt her by going off in such
a manner. 1 feel certain of that"
Julian shook his head again.
Il know she will not care" he said.
''Why should she?"
Because you do not care for her?''
asked Aaron. ''You are the only man 1
know who feels in that way towards
Amy Atkins"
81 am not ladies' man" said Julian;
but he turned his head away to say the
| words.
In moment more Aaron spoke again:
'JuIian, you know am neither a BASH
full man nor coward in most cases; but
every man becomes one or both, under
some circumstances. have favor to
ask of you. You remember your prom
Use to refuse me nothing could ask of
you. The time has come when l have
need of your aid. Will you give it to
me?"
Tell me what you want me to do"
said Julian, simply, giving his friend
his hand. Aaron took it tenderly.
81 want you to see Miss Atkins" he
said. 81 want you to tell her some
ting which have not the courage to
| tell her for myself - I have admitted
cowardice, as you know, Julian-to tell
her a love story, in fact, and see what
she says to it. 1 could ask this of no
one else. Will you do it?''
Julian stood dismayed. He-he, of
| all men, to undertake such a task as
this!-he who loved Amy Atkins so mad
| ly! He stood bewildered. So Aaron,
the handsome, brilliant, splendid fellow,
J her mate in wealth, position and ap-
pearance, loved the girl also. If so, she
could not fail to love him in return.
They were made for each other. That
fancy that Aaron admired Ada was a
mere dream, too. The little woman's
| heart, sweet little Ada, was thus I'M
harmed. Aaron and Amy - Aaron and
| Amy! Yet it was all right; he had no
doubt about it. 1t was natural; but why
choose him for a go-between?
IL do not refuse, Aaron" he faltered,
mindful of his promise, but white with
despair; ''but you need not fear. She
will love you. You are not one to sue
in vain"
Il am coward" said Aaron; Gin such
L
good fellow, Julian, and you will do
it,
"But how?" asked Julian. 81 know
nothing of such things l have never
told any woman of my own love. Ishall
harm yours in telling. will do it; but
you must give me the words-the how
the when. 1t will be-terrible!''
He was deadly white now-not only
pale; but Aaron went on unheeding:
Tell her O story-this! You know a
man who has loved her long, but who
has never dared to say 50. He feels
| that his own deserts are too small to en-
entitle him to hope; but, on the eve of
| parting, he can restrain himself no
! longer; he must tell her that life is
nothing without her; that her love is
the only thing worth striving for; he
must ask her in this strange way, be-
cause he has not courage enough to do
otherwise; to bid him hope or despair.
Then she will ask who this lover is, and
you may tell her; but not until then,
mind you-no; until all the story of the
love is told. And you will bring me the
answer"
Julian turned CHASTITY face toward
him and replied: eff live!"
And you will tell the tale just So
just as have told you?" asked Aaron.
Again Julian answered: eff 1 liver
Then he left Aaron and sought Miss
Atkins.
She held out her hand, but he only
bowed and seated himself beside her.
In a moment more he said: 81 have
come upon an errand that will surprise
you, Miss Atkins. l am commissioned
to tell you story"
"That of some poor person" she
asked. 'You have only to say that you
know him to be in need and worthy"
ut is the story of one who asks a
| gift" he said; 'sbut not gift of alms-a
gift more precious than gold could be-
and here, as he spoke the thoughts OF
his own soul in another's service, his
voice trembled-''a gift that you can
only give-you, of all the world"
Ada looked at him shyly now. In a
moment more her eyes dropped and her
fingers began to trifle with her rings,
and the lace above her bosom to f1utter
softly.
| II know a man who has loved you for
a long time" he went on, taking now a
sort Of fierce and bitter pleasure in this
cruel usage of himself, framing from his
own knowledge of his own love the tale
of Aaron Pennel. ''For months he has
thought of you by day and by night,
until there is but one woman in the
world to him-the woman who is called
Amy Atkins OF all the objects that
there are upon the horizon of the future,
he only sees your face. He could do any
thing for your sake: without you he will
be nothing. He has seen no token Of
any liking for him in your face, nor
heard it in your voice; yet he would
have You hear his story, and know his
fate. His name
But then sharp spasm of pain caught
his breath. He paused for an instant.
In that instant Amy turned toward him
and put her hand in his.
my love is not worth so much" she
said, tearfully, ''but, since you value it
so highly, it is yours. It always has
been since first knew YOU"