The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-03-04
A BARRIER BETWEEN THEM.

together in the moonlight-Aura Har-
man and Philip Win:erbourne.
There were Others in the garden, also,
for it was one of those July evenings
when il Is too opprs ssive to remain in
doors these others being Aura's father
and mother, her sisters, and Mrs Winter
boGrae.
Philip felt that the tine had come to
speak. He had loved Aura for year.
She was the lirst TO speak, and said in
matter Of fact tone
You are no, very talkative tonight
or what are yen thinking 50 deeply ?"
1 ~of you,r ne replied ''of my love for
you"
4 an disappointed in you, Mr.. Win
terbourne. / thought could count you
as one Of my friends. There are 50 many
/ points in which We sympsthize. 1t is
not nice. 1t hurts me to have TO despise
you
@Despise me
"For you IL speak so TO me, in spite Of
T the barrier betNe cen Us, seems to me little
short Of an Insult. ! am sure you will
be sorry when you have time TO think. !"
Philip tired 70 expostulste-to ask an
explanaiion-t0 defend himself, but his
Z tongue refused 10 obey bis will He saw
tears glisien in her eyes by the noon
/ light All he could do was 10 stretch out
bis hand TO her in an appeal for forgive
ness Il gesture that Aura ignored.
sGood bye, she said, stepping past
him Perhaps sR taking too seriously
what you only mean; as an idle compli-
ment hut DO not think it right to jest
on such maisers-they are too sacred"
Jest Philip had only enough strength
l left To enable him to move to The gate
where she mad been and lean his back
against the same board.
Why on earth had he not contrsdicted
/ her-told her that he was in the most
solemn earnest-Asked her what barrier
she meant Simply because he could
not.
He was only twenty-five, and at that
age ones selfoonhdenoe quickly eyapor-
ates. Philip, Philip"
Ii was his mothers voice She was
ready to 90, and he must go with her.
As in a dream be walked down the
path TO where there was little group Of
persons under the old pear tree. Aura
Kas not among them.
-Oh, there you are, my dear. 1t is
nearly ten O'Clock, and / am tired. Give
me your arm."
There was not much sleep for Philip
that night. He rose many times and
/ looked from bis window at the great red
house, onlv stones throw away, where
he supposed Aura 10 be slumbering
I peacefully-fo- why should her rest be
disturbed
Barrier What bsrrier?' Philip ask
ed himself hundred times over-but no
answer came.
He determined, at all costs, to see her
again on the morrow, and, even if she
could not love him, 70 get her to own
that she had been too severe.
he must set himself rigk, in her eyes
convince her that ne would not insult
/ her for the world, and then he would
trouble her no more.
The next day was Mrs. Hsrman's at
home day. and il was his custom TO drop
1 in on these occasions for some tennis
50, when the afternoon came, ne don
ned bis fannels, took his racket and
went round.
Mrs. Harman. Aura, and 5 younger
sister were sitting on the lawn.
They greeted him as usual, but Aura
did not raise her eyes, and her face was
pale and grave.
~why. Philip. how Ill you look - said
the motherly Mrs. Harman, who treated
all Young men as if they we're her own
sons. What's the matter with you? A
billions attack p
He laughed and shook his head.
Its chill then You stayed too long
In the garden last night"
~Yes, that's it, he said quickly, to es-
cape further eaiechism and then his
heart leaped as Aura looked at him.
But the afternoon passed away with
out bis exchanging 3 word alone with
her, ami be went home in q frame of
mind bordering on desperation.
In the evening, as il was growing dusk,
he wandered disconsolately down the
road towards the church As he turned
a curve in the road be saw figure in
front Of MIN, carrying water-pot in one
hand. a bunch Of flowers IN the other.
He knew the outline and the carriage
Il was Aura
Where could she be going7 Now was
his opportunity to make his peace with
her
He followed at a distance and watched
her upobserysd. She threaded her way
among the graves until she came to one
with white headstone. Upon the green
mound was a hollow tin cross. of the
kind made 70 hold water and flowers
What can il mean ?" Philip asked
himself, As he stood IN the shadow of the
church porch, spy upon his love. Her
father and mothei are both living. She
told me herself that she had never lost
sister or brother and the family were
not in mourning when We came here .
year and 5 half ago"
When she had finished her work the
girl did not Immediately arise to go. She
sat stEll on the grass in dropping atti-
tude. and presently drew out her hand
kerrllisf and applied it 70 her eyes A
pang shot throneh Pnilip, and he half
started fovxsrd. Shs vas crying. All.
If only he sig0i comfort her,
At last she arose. and departed by the
way she had come
As ne charchyAri gate clicked after