The National tribune., 1890-04-03

cruel, too mean thing to do2 lie had COM
mitted worse sins, perhaps; but those against
7hom he had Committed them had not been
like Mary, had never trusted him with this
foolish trust had never been pure enough TO
believe him good. Years ago, sometimes a no
BILE impulse would stir him strangely, sway him
with a passionate excitement, hold him for
minutes's space aud make him, in emotion, in
righteous intention, a hero; there was some
such lost feeling stirring him now again; his
thoughts leaped forward to heroic purpose,
aud for minute his heart beat faster, all his
pulses throbbed. Next minute the impulse
was dead; he looked back at il with q little
mental smile. He turned away slowly from
the window and crossed TO the sofa where Mary
sat.
She was sitting near the fire in the light and
warmth, and he seated himself beside her.
After all, il Mary believed in him, she had her
reward. Her faith was misplaced, but made
her happy. lie took her hands in his, and her
eyes aud lips smiled as she raised her face.
. What do they all say, MaryP he asked.
Your love is binding you-is that what they
tell you? And your faith in me is foolishncss
is that it2 Your father would be better
pleased if you gave me up"
No, no. You must not he angry with
father-you will bear with him, Godfrey. 1t
is only that he does not understand. lie wishes
us TO defer the marriage"
And you agree2"
mol have told him-I wish it could be
sooner. / wish we could be married now-now,
to-day-while you are worried. before all these
troubles are forgotten and explained away"
And suppose-for the sake of superstition,
Mary-suppose they are never explained awayp
suppose they are never forgotten2 Suppose the
suspicion against me is never remoyedp
oh, but il will be. BY and by il must be.
Sooner or later the truth is always known"
But the optimistic promise did not strike
him cheerfully. She looked at him straight,
with trus;ful, steadiast eyes; it was ouly by
conscious effort that he met her glance.
And if the truth is ever known" she con-
tiuued after moment, we can still be happy.
1t is hard for you-oh, it is dreadfully hard
/ never knew before that the world was SO
cruel. People are blind-unusti Do not lot
Us talk of it. You bear it SO bravely, and |
i cannot bear to think of il. 1t seems foolish
10 talk of myself when you have borne so
much; but oh, have been so wretched-so
wretched, Godfrey! When you did not come,
and day after day went, it seemed-it seemed
rs though you did not think me strong enough
TO share your troubles with you"
1t is not a gracious task, Mary, to come to
tic ones burdens about those one loves. Even
now / hesitate. You are generous. But is that
any reason why should accept your sacrifice
/ am asking you to accept the shadow of my
disgrace-do you wonder, Mary, that l cannot
ask il readily?"
" But what is the disgraco2" she reasoned
"Why should we think of it2 1t is disgrace
which the world has put upon us-that is all
aud we ourselves know ourselves undisgraced.
1t is very foolish old world. Let us laugh at
it."
Yes, we can laugh" he agreed.
I'VE are not dependent on its good opinion.
What is the good or III opinion of silly old
world that misjudges Your
Nothing" he agreed again. But he WAS
agreeing absently; his attention had wandered.
For few minutes he and Mary sat side by side
in silence. His spirits were very heavy; Mary,
looking closely at him, recalled her own light
and CHEEKY tone with feeling of remorse.
Mary" be said suddenly, turning eagerly
toward her, tell me-do make you happy
You have been happier since you knew me-.
You arc happy now. Tell me that make you
happy"
But you know it," she said gravely.
Yes yes. ! know it," he repeated. 81
wanted to hear you say it, l shall devote my
life TO securing Your happiness, Mary. l will
make you happy. i can-and ! will"
He spoke as though he needed TO reaksure
himself When he had written his letter TO
her, yesterday, his words Of selfsacrifce had
been merely words; now, again and again,
they came back 10 him as a serious thought.
lie was guilty, aud she believed him true.
This sin Of deceiving her was meanness which
hHGLIeu 10 MN Hbins IMAM "A SIN. ZIG was un-
worthy even OF himself IN this thing which he
was doing. But he would make her happy
yes, that was his excuse, Ia that was mis- justid-
cation. And yet
"How long, wonder, shall make you
happy" he said, specuIativeiy, looking ixedly
yet absently before him.
How long," she repeated. She could not
understand his mood tonight. But she was
very sorrowfn aud pitiful for him; so many
| friends had failed him that no doubted even
| her constancy. Ii WIS natural, she supposed.
By and by, he continued, when your love
wears out, your happiness and your faith will
wear out too"
She did not answer for a minute. Both his
tone and his words panied her. Then, after a
minute, she looked at him again and smiled.
When my love wears out, anything may hap
! PEN" she said. i grant that. i know moth.
| ing about the laws that govern the prefer.
| natural"
he was still looking absently and hopelessly
away from her. She paused for q moment
then she made another effort.
Godfrey, you must believe me-" she said
| earnestly. Whatever happens, Whatever peo
pie say, nothing can touch me, nothing can
make me alter toward you nothing could ever
| for one moment make me distTust you. The
very saying this seems foolish between us two
j gm happier, aud always must be happier
sharing your misfortune than looking on al
| Oiber peoples Joyb-yOn must know khlB ~
well. Why should ! say it, when you know
it 50 well already, GeoGrey2 As for my doubt
ing you, 10 would be impossible. When / begin
10 doubt you shall cease to have faith in al
men-I shall doubt God and cease 10 believe Ii
goodness. That will be never, Godfrey"
Yes, yes" he said quickly, that is right
Mary-that is right. No one believes in m,
as you 90. You are good to me. Very just
very just. Go Oh believing in me, dear"
" And our marriage, Geoffrey? Father
father is going TO talk TO you. hear him com
ing down stairs now. He will take you away
midland ask yOu-ask you 10 persuade m'
10 put our marriage of-to wait ;"
And what am / 20 sayf"
"That / wish IL to bc-as il was TO be-nOw
In month. Nothing must put IL of"
No. Nothing shall put 1t Off" said Geof
frey.
H.
"YOu are back early, Nary
=" Yes, Isuppose il Is carly still-earlier thar
usual. ] have been at good many places
been seen-done my duty most thoroughly
You did not join me-"
mo"
you promised, If you recollect But I dl,
not look out for you-I did not expect you"
:" You have not much faith in my prom ises
Mary. nowadaysf"
III Oh, yes. One makes every promis
with mental reservation that one may breal
it,"
/