Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-06-02

] through her heart. A wave Of pity
swept over her: an impulse struggled
into life TO go to him. TO take his hand
in hers. to press close to his side. to nil
the void of his future with her love.
What held her bsckf Was il pride:
! Why could not she 90 to MIN: His I'M
consciousness Of her presence held her
aloof-ma3e her afraid with a strange.
new fear.
Footsteps neared. echoing strangely;
the music rad sunk to minor cadence
which seemed 10 beat the measure OF
their advance Tine eyes of the woman
were filed with a strange expectancy.
Into the waiting place. framed by the
central arch, came the figure of a man
strongly built. of noble air. of familiar
presence. Eyes brave and true and
faithful met hers gravely. a hand was
outstretched toward her.
Pocahontas shivered, and her heart
beat with heavy. muffied strokes The
counter influences of her life were draw
ing to the death struggle. Thorne turned;
his eyes were upon her; he advanced
slowly.
Jim came straight TO where she stood
and took her hands in his; his face was
pale and drawn, as the face of man
who has passed through the white heat
Of suffering. His hands were cold. and
trembled little as they closed on hers;
he trieS TO speak, but his lips were dry
and his voice inaudible.
Sweetheart. he said at length, using
the tender old word uneonsciously and
speaking brokenly, II asked you once 10
let the thought of me come, sometimes,
when life should be hard upon you; to
let the influence Of my love stir some
times in your memory. That would be
wrong now-worse; il would be selfish
and unmanly. A man has no right to /
cast his shaoow ON woman's life when /
il has passed into the keeping of another i
man" His voice grew husky, his lips /
quiyered, but he went bravely on. Il \
know your story-Berkeley has told me /
the young lady has spoken-I take 1
back the request. I'd rather al thought I
Of me should be banished from you in
this world and in the next than that it
should make a breach. even in the out
works of your life, to let in trouble to
you"
Re paused abruptly; through the
strong frame ran "A shudder like the re-
coil from pain. but the mans will was
firm, his purpose steadfast All of her
life he had cared for her. been tender
with her; shielding her from trouble or
grief or blame. as far as in him lay. aud
though his heart should break be would
lot fail her now. Slowly he spoke
again.
Child" be said gently. III I've ever
aid word that hurts YOU. forget it. put
i from you. 1 did not understand then;
do now-and III give my right hand
o recall il. What you do has always
neen right in my eyes-mGst always be
light. can never His voice failed
lim; something rose in his throat and
'hoked utterance; he bent his head until
his lips touched the hands he held. and
hen turned quietly away.
Pocahontas did not move; she scarcely
Dreathed. The spell of Jim's magma
iimity held her, made her realize at last
he grandeur, the immensely of love
Her soul was awed. Thought followed
bought through her brain; love in IL ,
was barred TO her gaze; self fell
way-burned as dross in the fire of suf- /.
ering; to guide herself was not enough; !;
he must aid and comfort others. If i
ands were outstretched in anguish she j
must clasp them; if heart cried 10 her ]
n desolation she had no right to turn
side. Was she so pure, SO clean. 50
ighteous that contact with another :
that had known passions and /.
orrows Of which she was, of which sh- !
aust be, ignorant-shoulds soil her? If !
0, her righteousness was poor thing, t,
er cleanness that Of the outside of the !,
up and platter, her purity that of un. ]
uaTried marble. :
Thorne drew nearer; she raised her :
ead their eyes met; he extended his !,
ands with a gesture not TO be denied. i
With smile of indescribable gracious !,
ess, tenderness, a royalty of giving =
ne made movement forward and laid
er hands ia his.