The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-11-25

JlOn IN MS voice as ne continued:
SIS the idea so altogether frightful to
you, LeOnora, that you must tremble
over it? We have lived in the same
house sufficient years, l should imagine,
for you to know | am not a monster"
Still she diG not speak. He glanced at
her and then went on himself:
81 don't expect you to love me-"
"But do love you, George! she in
terrupted passionately. II have loved
you for fifteen yearsp'
He looked at her, surprised for mo-
ment, but he did not comprehend.
YES" he said, 1--WE love one another,
after fashion-a better fashion, l dare
say, than half the people who marry
love in. 1t is not likely you would ever
care to marry anyone else; and, as for
me"-he sighed-'but never mind that"
lie waited expectantly.
'YOu have not answered me. Leonora;
are you willing to marry me? Now that
your mothers gone, give me the right to
care for you, dear, whatever comes"
Eyes," she sobbed.
He stopped aud kissed her cheek.
"You are good woman" he said.
Then she heard HIM go up to his room,
and she had rushed blindly, wildly, out
into the garden.
For one brief moment she had thought
that at last he loved her. For the first
time in her life a feeling of bitterness
welled up in her heart toward that far
off grave in Italy. 1t mad blighted her
life when she was young girl, and now,
when she might at last be happy, it was
between her and happiness-it always
would be. Then she thought of him.
What has his life beenp He had loved
and lost His bride had been more to
him than anything on earth could be. 1t
had broken and spoiled his youth, it had
crushed out the capacity for loving, it
had changed him into stern, cold man.
She sank on her knees by the rustic
bench, and clasping her hands, prayed.
"Oh, God, give him back his beautiful
bride, and take me; let me die, o God,
in her place! Let me see him with the
old happy smile upon his face once more
before die!'
Not breath stirred the bushes, but
she felt touch ON her shoulder and an
invisible presence around her, and a
voice that did not break the evening
quiet fell calm and majestic upon her
ear
Daughter, thou hast made strange
prayer. Thou hast faith sufficient that
it be answered. But, daughter, con-
slider, dost think aught will be gained by
bringing the dead to life?'
Eyes, yes!" she answered eagerly.
Anything is gain that will bring happi-
ness to the man | lovem
80 rash and unreasoning are mortals,"
the voice continued, that they would
cross even the sacred portals of heaven
to bring down happiness to one frail hui
man creature"
Then a tender pity came into the
voice-the pity of angels for poor, short
sighted humanity.
Daughter, may not unveil to thee
the future; if thou wilt that this thing
be done, that this young girl be brought
from the Beautiful City to mingle again
amid strife and sorrow, it shall be grant
ed thee"
with his love there could be no strife
or SORROW" she murmured
1T shall be as thou wishest." And
the voice was sad and solemn.
"When, when may it be, good spirit?
Tomorrow" she questioned.
1--WE make no note of time. In heaven
there is no tomorrow, no yesterday.
Choose thine own time, daughter, and
when thou prayest as thou did just now,
it shall be-"
sound, but the presence of the spirit was
withdrawn.
Leonora continued to kneel long
time.
Until tomorrow he is mine-my
promised husbandr' she whispered.
'LeonOra!"
1t was his voice calling from the YER
anda. She struggled to her feet and
went to meet him.
"Out in this heavy dew without a
wrap" he said chidingly, and drawing
her hand within his arm. Surely,
Leonora, you need some one to care for
you"
George" she said, her voice trembl-
ing, Il want to tell you something. /
don think you quite understood when l
told you tonight l had loved you for
fifteen years. | meant it not as brother
and sister love-I have loved you as you
loved her."
He started at her Words then fuller
sense of their meaning came over him.
Poor child, how you must have suf-
feredp he whispered, tenderly.
yes" she answered him simply.
In the hall he kissed her goodnight.
Until tomorrow" she murmured
under her breath. "Only until to-mor.
row."
The thought came to her that she was
very happy even with the little love he
had to give. Why make the prayer at
all? Then she recoiled from herself.
Was this the kind of love she gave him?
Is love worthy the name that is not
sacrifice?
Tomorrow came SO soon! He was so
kind, SO thoughtful of her all the day.
He made it very easy for her to ask him
to walk with her in the garden after tea.
She chung to his arm.
you will never forget how dearly 1
love your" She might ask this one
thought out of his happiness.
He assured her soOthingly that he
never would forget.
In moment now he would be happy.
She would see the old radiant smile on
his face-and another woman in his
arms. Yes, she was too thorough a
woman to forget that, and she loved him
too well. But he would know then how
she loved him. He could never forget
after that
She rank on the rustic bench, closed
her eyes aud prayed. In moment she
felt the invisible presence, she heard the
voice with its thrill of pity.
"Open thine eyes, daughter. Look!
Thy prayer is answered"
she opened her eyes and saw before
her a young girl of radiant lovoliness.
The light of heaven still shone in her
eyes. Her face was that of child's,
pure, calm, trusting. Suddenly her eyes
and George Vane's met. No glad light