The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-03-27

ing at her. Gabriel picked up large
stone and struck down the upreared head,
crushing it. 1t thrashed the ground with
its tail, writhing and coiling in undulating
folds.
Rosamond stared at it in fascinated hor-
ror, but Gabriel turnedihis eyes away.
II hate to see even a reptile die" he
said.
.sBut if it had bitten mel"
at did not. thank heaven" He took
her hands and kissed them. "Oh, Rosa
mond, Rosamond, how love you"
Goodbye" she faltered, tears rushing
to her eyes.
He turned from her and sat down on the
log. his face hidden in his hands. She
him. then returned.
81 suffer, too" she whispered, bending
over him, then went swiftly away.
1t was January night, but in Savannah
one could scarcely realize that 1t was mid
winter. Flowers were in bloom, and
through the open windows OF houses the
mild south wind blew freely. rain had
recently fallen, and Rosamond Frances
looked from the carriage window on the
pools of water shining under the lamp
light in the street. She had been to dim
ner party, and, though it was quite early,
was returning home. A servant met her
"a gentleman is waiting to see you,
Miss Rosamond".
Rosamond looked dispeased and slowly
loosened her high wrap.
"Who is it Pr
"He wouldn't give his name"
why didn't you tell him that was
out?"
II did, but he said he'd wait. He's in
the parlor."
Rosamond shook out her lace draperies
and rearranged the roses on her breast.
She did not wish to see anyone, but
natural instinct of coquetry caused her to
pay that attention to her personal appear
ance. She looked weary, and under her
eyes fine lines of pain were drawn. She
had been feverishly gay since her return
from the mountains, and had even prom
Used her sister that she would seriously
think about marrying. In a burst Of con-
fidence she had said good deal about
Gabriel Lawrence, but readily agreed that
it would be throwing away her life to
marry him. In her heart she knew that
she was not sincere even with herself, and
in one sense her life would be thrown away
without him.
She walked into the parlor that evening
to see her visitor listless, Indifferent. The
room was softly lighted, and out of the
shadows at the farthest end came a tall,
black haired, black-bearded man to meet
her. He seemed to bring breath of the
deep wild woods with him.
Gabriel" she cried. the blood rushing
violently to her pale cheek, dyeing even her
delicate throat q rosy hue.
81 could not keep away any longer" he
said, taking her hands, SO finely, softly
gloved, into his, while his glad eyes dwelt
upon her face.
s'Oh, you should not have come" she
said, the tones Of her voice, the light of
her eyes belying the ungracious words.
GLOW are your mother and sister,"
Mother is well, and Sara-I trust Ii
well.''
"What do you mean?"
"She died two months ago."
His lip quivered slightly, over his face
the shadow of grief fell.
Il am sorry, so sorry" she said gently.
sob, Rosamond. come to me, love me,
be my wife. I will work for you, I will
shield you with my hearts best love-"
She sat down, trembling, unnerved. He
knelt by her chair, caressed her hands,
her soft hair, kissed her arm left bare
between glove and sleeve.
II never loved any woman before, and
it is no longer peace. or hope, or life with
out you. That first morning we met, do
you remember it? How careless and
proud you looked, standing on the hotel
steps. I was simply the guide, but you
trusted me even then, Rosamond."
81 did" she cried, 81 did,"
His head pressed against her shoulder;
he turned her face until he could look into
her eyes. They shrank from his earnest,
impassioned gaze.
my rose of the world" he whispered.
81 cannot listen to you," she stam-
mered, wringing her hands. you are
free, but I am bound hand and foot,
bound like a slave to the opinions of the
world"
'But you love me, Rosamond; know
you love me-"
81 do; why should 1 deny it? If you
had not sacrificed yourself so utterly;
if"
81 could not do, otherwise. dearest. 1t
was my duty. Do not reproach me-"
He rose and walked the room, then
came back and stood by her chair.
sis this your homer"
at is my sisters"
"Ah. am glad. When came here this
evening feared you were rich" He laid
his hand on her head. "Rosamond."
The entreaty in his voice pierced her
would yield. 1t was the last cruel throe
of worldly pride that made her say:
Your father-have you forgotten your
father?"
Then she covered her face with her
hands and shrank away from his gaze in
stunned silence, her very soul writhing in
shame. The closing of the door reused
her. She raised her head, glanced about
the empty room, then ran into the hall.
Had he gone without word?
Gabriel, forgive mel Oh, I did not
mean it-I-Gabriell Gabriel" But only
an amazed servant heard her words. She
pulled open the front door. The gasllght
Jared on deserted street.
s"What is the matter, Rosamond?' in
| quired her sister from the stairway.
Whom are you Calling"
Gabriel; but he has gone away, and I
cannot bring him back. Sophia, my heart
| is broken"
Hush! Think of the servantsl" said
| Mrs. Mayberry, fastening down to the
| hall. She led Rosamond back into the
parlor and closed the door. NOW tell me
| what you mean"
Rosamond walked distractedly about
| the room crying.
II did not say it! 1 did not say it"
| Then fell to weeping bitterly. Never had
| anv one seen her so wrought up. When
| the passion had spent itself she gave an
| account of Gabriel's visit and the cruel
| speech which had driven him away.
"0h, / am free now-he will never
| trouble me again, never!" she said, Bit
| terly.
"You served him right" said her sister,
| coldly, her face hardening.
II did not, and | shall never rest until I
| have gained his pardon. | love him!"
Then why did you send him away?"
She raised her tear-stained face and
! looked at her sister with a new expression
| in her gray eyes.
Because of my false training, my cow
| ardice. | thought of the mans poverty,
| the outward circumstances OF his life, and
| would not listen TO my heart. He offered
I 81 L.