The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-02-12

himself in her presence as in flood
of cleansing water, a second baptism.
Her smile, her trustfulness, the music
OF her voice would be a heaven in
which he might bask and rest, and for
get his fraud-yes, even his blood
outlines.
He turns the handle of the door
quietly, gradually, apd enters. A
delicate scent, as from the folds Of
silken garments, strikes his senses.
But he does not hear single rustic
from his uncle's bed. The old man
sleeps soundly indeed. ..s .
Then he draws up the slide OF his
lantern. .-.t@' ..,. a. ..
SO violently. with such trembling
agitation does he close it again, the
instant after, that the whole thing
falls Gathering to the ground and Paul
turns and rushes through the room.
What has he seen to overcome him
SOP
A woman, tall and supple as a
Greek, stern-eyed as Clytemnestra
and twenty times as fair, with black
hair and marble arms, eyes of fringed
violet, bosom Of ivory-hOw often had
he dotted on them! How often had he
felt his heart swell with pity, with
admiration, with unspeakable love, as
the soft voice TREMENDOUSLY remon-
strated with him. ,..-,.,,
''We must be patient, Paul.
And now this saint of his life. this
virgin flower of woman, this one who
was to be the salt and salve to his sad,
wounded, outraged, and rebellious
heart-there she stands, her right
hand under the pillow of. the uncon-
scious sleeper, her left arm to strike
him down if he ..awake!
Paul passed stealthily into the gar
den again. He went with bounds
across the parterre, fiercely trampling
the flowers and borders, cursing
mean while, in his heart, with bitter
rage and execration, the angel, for
sooth, who was thief and murderess.
Then he laughed wild, trembling
laugh, such as only grief that borders
on frenzy finds utterance.
That night, as he sat till dawn I'M
der the moaning poplars and over and
over again repeated to his mind the
hideous incident that he half believed
to be a dream, love turned to hate,
as fuel to ashes, as a flower to the
blood-red poison.
1T was for love of me-" he MUIR
INJURED, ''for love of me, ah! that is
the blow that cuts the deepest, for
why? That love of hers is loathsome
TO me-"
THAT was forty years ago." said
Miss Perry, ''and it seems only yes
terday."
She looked from the gay area of the
casino at Narragansett out over the
blue, dimpling sea, where a yacht was
just coming to anchor.
The wrinkled old general, who
directed the taste of the wealthy New
York spinster in the fitting of her
large art gallery, wiped tear from
his glass eye. 1t was telling gesture,
though the tear was not a tear of
sensibilty.
''But how did you find out that it
was hep" he inquired softly.
''Hand me that fan and I will tell
you. l had come downstairs, hearing
a noise and thinking of burglars,
was brave in those days, and seized a
heavy pair Of scissors, which carried
dagger-wise. went to my uncle's
room, felt under his pillow, and was
relieved to find his bag of diamonds
safe. Then there was a momentary
flash of light, the clatter of a lantern
dropped in darkness, and the sound of
receding footsteps. I never saw Paul
again to this day. The lantern was
identified as his. felt relieved at his
flight at the moment. But, general,
you and are old people, and for my
part l can love only once, and you
must not speak to me again as you
have done to-day" -Epoch.