The Irish standard., 1892-02-27

This was an appeal which sSamrael5
had not expected to hear for many =
day. He had not known that Olive had
been rapidly gaining powers Of pene-
tration. He had not thought that tho
books he had given her would have
done their work so soon. And how
could he dare soothe her with false
comfort, or give her the broken reed OF
a lie to lean upon? Row could he throw
dust in the eyes that saw Michael as he
really was, and yet prayed to be
blinded?
"Olive," he said. tenderly, II am
afraid it is the fate of nearly all good
women to be somewhat disappointed in
the men they love. A mans daily
struggle with the world is almost sure.
to harden him. Every true woman has
within her that capacity for self-sacri-
6ce which makes it easy for her to
comprehend the one great sacrifice.
Like her Master, she longs to go about
among the people, and do them good.
But will he never feel a. I do?" sho
asked, mournfully.
mot altogether, perhaps. Olive. You
must learn to love him without giving
up the best part of yourself for his
sake. You must not pluck out your
own white wings because he cannot
soar If you do this, you will neither
content him nor yourself. You will al
ways be haunted by the sense of loss,
and he will know that you are not salts
Sied.''
She turned her eyes upon him with .
gaze of intense anxiety.
''How can two walk together unless
their spirits are one?" she said. with .
sigh.
"Bodily union and spiritual disuniou
one sees it every day" Samuel Wake
answered. ''If you marry man whose
thoughts are not your thoughts. nor his
ways your ways, you must prepare to
tread difficult path, my child. Your
own heart must help you in the matter:
love, and the instincts of true wife,
can make woman wise and strong"
. "And love him, do love him!" she
said. ''Perhaps he is i'll and suffering
at this moment, and ! am not near
hinl!'
If she had been near him she would
have beheld him making a fresh toilet
in high good humor. Edward Battcrs-
by had met him, and had invited him
to dine at a fashionable restauraD: that
evening.
MEN are made of tougher materials
than you fancy" Uncle Wake replied,
with rcassuring smile. "He looked
well enough when saw him. Take
my word for it, that headache was an
excuse for ill-temper. Don't be fussy
about him, my dear. He will find his
way back to you when the fit is over"
Then he brought one OF the books
that were piled upon the table. and be-
gan to read a poem aloud. The verses
were well chosen, and his voice was
pleasant to her ears. So the afternoon
glided into evening, and when Mrs.
Wake came home, more pensive and
shadowy than ever after her visit TO
Jessie, Olive was able to meet her with
cheerfulness 1t was hard to see Mich
ael's vacant place at the supper table:
but Uncle Wake encouraged her with
smiles, and talked quite openly of tho
absent lover. .
''If he does not come in on Monday or
Tuesday. shall go and look. him up"
he said. s'Ah, Mrs. Wake, how unrea-
sonable you used to be if ever dared
to have a headache! 1t is only women
who are allowed to be invalids. A lover
ought to have an iron constitution.
''You always had. his wife remarked.
''but Michael is not made of iron. and
he looks as if he had nerves. Perhaps
he is little irritable sometimes.
know he has short manner, but what
is manner when a man is hardworking
and steady? When looked at our poor
Jessie to-day, could not help thinking
of Olives good fortune"
For years, every body had been talk
ing to Olive about her good fortune.
Who was she, that such clever young
man should have set his heart upon
her? The girl had always been hum
BILE and grateful, and she was humble
and grateful still: only a subtle change
was stealing over the humility and
gratitude. She did not think less of
Michael, nor was she less lowly in
mind, but she had begun to use cer~
TAIN IacultleS Wnlcn uaO Ofcn UuueVeA-
oped in her village home.
She had learned lately that there are
certain aspirations which cannot DO
stifed, even at loves command. with
out self-degradation. Truly he who
findeth his life in this world only, shall
lose it; the worship OF things that per.
ish in the using destroys all spiritual
life in the worshiper. Olive had found
out this truth.
When she lay down to rest that night
she fell into a peaceful sleep, and
dreamed Of the old downs and fields Of
her childhood. Michael was roaming
with her through those calm meadows,
rich with the purple and gold of sum-
mer. He was once more the younger
and simpler Michael of the past; they
were happy in the oldfashioned way of
rustic lovers. Then Jane and Aaron
Joined them, and they followed tho
course of the rivulet through the grass,
and laughed for very gladness of heart.
=