Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1892-05-04
CHAPTER xvI-cosr,surp.

The two women brealxfasted together,
and then set off through the lanes to
old Bartlett. Just as the slow day had
struggled into light. The stars in their
courses seemed to be fighting for Jane
at last. The miller had known Aaron
from boy and had great faith in his
sober. silent ways. Aaron. he said. was
welcome to come to him as soon as he
liked; the sooner the better.
And SO it came to pass that Aaron's
steps turned homeward He went to
see Olive, and told her that he was go
ing back to Jane and Eastmeon. She
frightened at the news
Olive" he said, looking at her visit
fully, II wish you too were going back
about beginning new life; but think
that with some of us a new life means a
return to the old"
Yes. with some of us" Sshe an
swered. ''Your old life was the true
life. Aaron, and your old love is the true
love"
lie turned away from her with .
sigh. The gentle patience in her face
was almost more than he could bear;
and his old bitter feeling against
Michael returned in full force. Was it
just that man who had done so much
wrong should go unpublished?
II should like 90 stand face to face
with him for a minute or two" he NUT
tered between his teeth
If you ever meet him face to face,
Aaron. ] hope your heart will be
softened," Olive said quietly. Until
we can forgive. we can never be healed.
The prayer for those who have despite
fully used us is the balm for our own
wounds When you refuse to pardon
Michael, you reject blessing"
II win try not to think about him."
Aaron answered. That's all can say
yet. There's little good in making be-
lieve to forgive when you can't. Good
by, Olive; i hope we shall see you at
Eastmeon again by and by"
Yes, Aaron" Her face frightened
again Il will come and see you and
Jane when you have made home of
your own"
lie went his way, and when the door
had closed behind him Olive sat think
ing for little while.
Aaron was going back. as she had
said, to that old love which was the true
love; but for her there was nothing to
go back 10. There in Eastmeon, here
in London, she was alone; and her soli-
tude was of that invisible kind of which
the chaplain had spoken. And then
other words of his came back also.
THE life of earnest duty and simple
devotion-of patient endurance and
loving communion"-was she not striv-
ing to live it? And had she not felt in
har cOtt1 tho4
companionship which Christ impartsp
This was not a feeling to be talked of;
If You described it in everyday lam
guage you lost something of its sacred
ness. Olive always felt that in an ar
gument with clever materialist, she
would assuredly get the worst of it,
The next day was Saturday, and the
flower shop closed early She had
been out In the afternoon on an errand
of Mrs. Wakes, and was coming back
Sinto the first shadows of the dusk,
slwhen she saw face that she knew. 1t
Twas Michael himself. who passed her in
Athe falling twilight He did not see
Nher; his eyes looked straight before
5him, but she had glimpse of his worn,
Hhaggard face. IL was as II the ghost of
her old lover had appeared TO her; he
was so wan and wasted. so utterly
changed Aaron had dropped hints
about Michaers marriage, which was
generally thought TO be an unhappy
one; but Olive had refused 10 listen.
TELL me nothing" she had said, firm
ly. There was no need for her to be
told anything; Michael Chase's story
was written on his altered features. A
successful man he might be. but never
happy one.
The girl whom he had so cruelty
wronged glided past him into the
cleaning; her face pale, her lips
pressed tightly together. For a mo-
ment she had felt sharp pain; pity for
herself, still deeper pity for him, took
possession of her and she walked on,
seeing nothing and hearing nothing,
although the streets were crowded as
usual. But the peace that she had
gained was not Of the kind that can be
easily snatched away; IL had taken
deep root in her heart and its sweet
ness prevailed over that transient bit
terness.
She did not know then that she
had seen her old sweetheart for
the last time on earth. Long after
wards she was glad that she had seen
him; glad that she had linked his name
with her prayers that night. and asked
that the blessing he had despised might
be granted 20 him at her petition.