The National tribune., 1890-04-03
TWO DAYS IN Ills LIFE
How a Woman Sacrificed Herself for
Love.

man with whose name many tongues just now
were busy a grave charge had been brought
against him-some acquitted, more condemned
him. lie was conscious that, here and there
an acquaintance passing him avoided meeting
his eve: that along Pail Mall men i'm the clubs
pointcd him out TO one another; that rs he
passed he left them discussing the story of the
papers and weighing probabilities for and
against him.
Nothing made him hasten. He walked de-
liberately, with preoccupied. meditative air,
mp WsterlOo-place, along Piccadilly, ana
through some quicter streets TO a small gray
house in terrace near Hyde Park. The Octo-
Der afternoon was closing in when he reached
his destination; there was a chill, raw ieeling
in the air: the lines Of the housetops were OBJ
scure in the gray wintTy evening light. In the
house before which he stood no blinds were
drawn, no lamps were III, but fire was burn
ing in downstairs ROOM aud the ruddy, dane
ing light looked warm and kindly.
The maid servant who came to the door adj
mitted him in silence
as Miss Arthur alOne2" he asked, as he
crossed the hall.
Yes. sir"
"Down stairs?" he demanded.
ain the study-yes sir"
81 can find her.
His tone was peremptory, chill ungenial
he was a man who had no atmosphere OF cheeri-
ness and Eiudiness about him. Servants who
did his bidding did it grudgingly; poor folks
who came TO him iguoElntly with sorrowful
tales at the first sight Of his face. at the first
sound Of his voice, grew reticcnt; children who
stumbled by mistake in his path picked them
selves up foriornly. with a crushing sense OF be-
ing aun0yances little nuisances In the world.
He crossed the hall TO a room which ad-
Joined the hall-the downstairs room where
the freight was shining-Msry Arthur's
study and sitting room. Mary expected him
tonight. IL was many days now since he had
been 10 sec her. While the scandal in which
his name was involved was new he had staid
away. waiting for the issue, waiting for mems
vordicts. Nothing had been proved against
him. nothing could be proved; but suspicion
still chung 10 him. He could not remove mems
suspicious. He had written TO Mary, As be had
felt bound 30 do and had offered TO release her
from her engagement 10 him. His name was
dishonored be had no right 10 ask her TO share
the dishOnor: he set her free. The letter WAS
heroic. the generous sentiments il expressed
afforded him yirtuous satisfaction. Aud to-day
Mary's answer had come. She refused 20 be re-
leased. Was she only fit to be fair-weather
wife, TO share the better" with him and de-
sert him when worse" days befell? She
would not accept her freedom. She had been
waiting for him would he not come and see her?
He had smiled a little as he read the answer.
il was what lie bad looked for all had hap
pened as he could have foretold. What was
outside his calculations was this feeling of
trepidation, Of doubt and uneasness, that sud
denly oppressed him now that his interview
with Mary was at hand. He paused at the
study door and knocked. There was quick
movement within the room, and his lips relaxed
O little-Mary was eager, then, 10 meet him.
" Come Ia, she said and the voice that in
vited him was clear aud musical. His face,
silentlOoking still, wore kindlier expression
ms be entered.
The study was bright with frelight-warm,
-fr.f - utu
room where even disorder had grace Of its
own aud was pleasing. There were low book
shelves along the walls, and the shelves were
lined with 3 goodly, motley company. Kos
Getti spick aud span, stood wedged upright by
q battered. tattered little Burns in a brown
plebeian coat; Ruskin and John Stuart Mill had
space enough and 70 spare all around them, and,
for lack OF company, slanfed sOciably 10 one an
other Miss Austen ia white parchment looked
geBteel and seemiy, but il WAS surely an I'M
kind fate that had Tobed poor Charlotte BrOBte
in Haunting green and had given her Miss Aus
ten 10 prop her upright constantly. Above the
bO0kshcIges were many pretty Odds and ends
OF china and pottery. In one corner Of the
room was a writing table with papers on il,
books lying open. aud flowers arranged taste
fully ia pretty bowl. piano stood open. A
little dainty child's pinafOre lay unfinished
on q chair, with the needle shining in the fire.
light
FiElGAEE = lace UGklel AZ ne ILcL mary enc
came silently bat smilingly toward him, and
put her hands in his without a word. As he
held them. he drew her nearer him, and
stopped and kissed her tenderly. almost reVer-
entity. he wondered at himself the while-not
for daring 70 kiss her, bat for the reverence Of
the kiss. il was very silent meeting. But
the gray eyes that net bis said much they re-
preached him, but the reproach was loving
they were full OF sOiicitude. questioning his
face 70 seek signs Of worry and trouble; they
were glad, too, because he was here. His own
eyes fell
q knew you would come this evening"" she
said gently. was listening for you"
{" Yes. You babe me come" he replied.
There was q minutes silence. MzTy went 20
the FIRE and stood before il, looking up at
him with sweet womanly sOliciiude AS be stood
beside her. lis eyes Travelled over her person
BpprOyingly. lie delighted in her beauty-in
that well-shaped brow Of hers that delicate
check and chin, the flowing graceful lines Of
her figure, the gracious polse OF her head, the
soft abundant hair which the freight touched
aud made golden. Her face Was fair and gen.
tle-yoB Saw II once and were ready thence
forth TO sia;e your soul on her truth and good
ness. pezsimist looking IN her eyes must
think little better Of the world. There was
Z wonderful charm about her, sweet direct
ness Of glance and speech, quiet, simple dig.
nifty not easy 10 describe.
got your letter." he said at last-and he
looked away from her As he spoke az the
lights aud shadows on the rug st his feet
your generous letter, Mary. Yes, let me call
Ii generous"
Your letter hurt me-" returned Mary
quickly. IN a quiet tone. "What made YOU
write s0Y What made you think 20 badly Of
meP
Badly-badly Of you Z" he repeated vaguely
did not understand your letter. IL mis-
fortune touches you, Godfrey, il touches me
through yOn. j would not have ID otherwise
And il could not be otherwise You cannot
shut me out u your sofrows-yOa cannot even
II you wish. ! ana glad. surely-surely-
Godfrey, yoE know that am glad"
Her eyes were bright with tears as she looked
up Al him; and yet they smiled lie was look
ing down stiil at the shadow pattern Of Ia,
fender on the rug.
- ought iu spite Of your generous wish
ought 30 set you free" he said He sighed
The woman beside him put her hand on his
shoulder, with au action Of silent, tender pro
test that be understood, and lie turned sud
oeuly and drew her close 70 him he bent {.
kiss her again, but touched her hair gently
caressiBR!y, with his hand instead
. ought 10 give you up" be repeated. q,
cannot do u, Mary-I cannot do IT,"
3" NO, you cannot do IT," she agreed. will
sweetest Triumph.
Z" III i could OEly explain! III could onl,
prove that this-ali this-ig falsei You vii
have 10 take an trust dear \ a,raot -.