Daily Yellowstone journal., 1891-03-13

had preached duty, not love, and her
heart cried out for love; and yet he
was kind-she would always remember
his kindness.
SO she stole away out of the house.
On the tenace she paused one moment
TO take her courage firmly in
hand, and then, to her dismay, it sud.
denly e~vaporated. wholly and without
warning. She could not go-she dared
mott She was-afraid. Ii was a hu-
initiating confession to make, but il
was true. The sight Of the big, silent
world, although it shimmered like an
opal in the moonlight, struck terror to
her soul. What might not lurk yonder
in those gray, sinister looking shadowsi
No. no. MOI She could not 60 alone,
not alone.
She crept into the house, a miserable
little coward, for whom there could be
no apology il was cool and sweet there,
and safe. Long feathers of silver light
were thrown over the carpet; the fra
GRANGE Of hOneysuckles, her favorite
flower, came sweeping in at the win
dow on the fresh night air.
There Wa the faint, far of odor Of
a cigar somewhere, too.
He was coming, her husband She
could hear him whistling softly as he
came up the path. He was not wholly
miserable, then. She hurredly found
the note and destroyed it, and was ready
.. f.an n,a.HN vrhaV haanNaEn1 Nhnnvh
trembling in every limb.
"Pansy, is it You, dear, and in the
dark
He always called her dear; he va
very tender with his little wife; his
desire wa 10 repair the wrong he had
unwittingly done her.
Where are the matchesl | will light
the gas, - said he.
NO, not yet. Donald, please II do
not wish any light it hurts my eyes, l
think.
Are you ILL., Does your head achef'
Il am well, but | have something 70
tell you. | would rather say il in the
dark, Donald'-with a ~perceptible ef-
fort tried TO leave your house just
now-desert you, they call it, don't
theyF
But you did not 60 he said slowly
very slowly. Why, dearf'
IL was afraid. The world was o
big-so solitary"
Poor little covard-poOr little IN
happy pansy! want you to promise
me never TO try TO desert me again"
He had not spoken Immediately.
When he did his voice had been steady,
but there was something under its very
quiet that made her shiver.
No covert threat, only that great
gentleness without which he neve ad-
dressed her, and yet it seemed throb-
bling with pityAnd pegret That was al
most passionate in its stir Intensity.
Il VIII promise, if you wish it, Don
aid, but if a time should ever come
when / cannot endure my life, you will
let me 60 away somewhereF'
II will let you come and tell me all
about it, dear, and we will devise a
better remedy, A" he answered, drawing
her into his arms. As her head dropped
against his shoulder he felt an odd
thrill of pleasure. II could not be that
his heart had awakened, for that was
lying dead in Mary Bains' grave. I'VE
must bear our trouble bravely, Pansy
the world is full Of grief, you know
Then he kissed her and sent her
away but he sat up late that night,
thinking.
After that Pansy spoke Of her sor-
row no more, but fell into the way Of
entertaining much company. As she
had done when a girl. Donald looked
on quietly, glad that she was happy,
he told himself; St he missed the
quiet hours they had spent together
and WINGED at the sound Of her gay
laughter when other men paid her
homage.
He had never observed how pretty
she was until sire blushed and dimpled
at the compliments shOwered upon her.
And how well she talked-with what
wit and vivacity Mary Bains had
been sweet and gentle, but Pansy wa
mora charming and amiable woman
Of the world.
Donald Marshall for years had been
true 20 an ideal. Now he awOke 10 the
real, and discovered that lac loved his
wife a. he had never loved that other
woman. And sine. he bitterly told him
self. had learned 10 do without him.
For PaIsy was unfeiguedly happy in
these brighter and gayer days. and
seemed well content 10 take mp her
girlhoods pastime just where she had
dropped il. To Donald she was sweet
and gracious, and nothing more her
eyes were no longer raised 10 his in
mute beseeching for the love ne with
held; indeed, they sparked with hap
piness and health, and looked at all the
world except him.
1t was one soft, June day. Pansy
had been walking, and came home
through the dewy mesdoWsA The twi-
light had fallen, and Donald went out
10 meet her.