The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-02-19

some, proud face which she loved better
than all the world, and she could not for
get IL. She had seen him twice since they
had left school, and he had bsen gracefully
pleasant with her, but then he was just as
cordial with some OF his other old-time
friends, and his open, frank attention
made poor Harriet's heart bleed more
than cold indifference would have done.
Why did she cherish such an empty
longing? Why could she not forget as
did the boy, whose three romping sons
she had fondled the other day? Why,
yes; why could not she even be like dear
DIR. Palmer, whose grave had grown all
sweet with fresh grasses and white
pansies that very spring? Ane as she
murmured over again the little prayer
whose pure simplicity she had never out
grown, her snow / lay me down to
Sleep" became almost a pleading for the
sleepwhich blesses us forever and forever.
The next day passed uneventfully; the
usual amount of presents and we'll wishes,
but still its sadness filled her heart to
overfiowing. Life had become sorely
serious to her--wouid IL ever become sore!y
useless.
1t was after Q, and, unfortunately, the
last caller had left carly when Nora ap-
peared at the door and muttered, as was
her custom, an unintelligiblo name. Har-
riet turned mechanically, for sho was
weary, but the form advancing from the
hall made her catch her breath. How
handsome he wasl But she quickly recov-
cred herself and tried to smile as sbo held
out her hand.
{" am glad to see you, Mr.. Conway.
"Yes, thank you, Harriet"
Harriet! His air OF confidence startled
her and yet overpowercd her. So, when
he went on, calmly holding her hand with
gentle though not passionate pressure,
she could only wait.
Harriet, have come for you at last.
Has the waiting been long"
Come for her? She could only trcmb
at which he smiled quietly, and calmly
continued:
~ could not speak to you sooner, for
had not my life settled. Now i am certain
as to my future and have come for you"
Not word about love, not a question,
not a sign of fear on his part! And this
was the way that she was to be wooed-
she whom all the entreaties and avowels
of youth could not affect. Yet she wavered.
She was angry with her pride because ii
did not come to her aid, and yet she could
not even withdraw her hand. He saw, he
evidently understood, for he quietly took
her other hand, hanging passively at her
side, and smilingly repeated:
81 have come for you, Harriet"
What should she do? Or, better, what
could she do? Nothing but stand there till
her lips began to culver and the tears
welled up in her searching gray eyes.
Then the man of the world-this man
who knew so well his power-bent down
and kissed once her upturned face, and
laughed:
"There, Harriet, don't cry. 1t IS only a
man who has come for his WIFE"
Even the caress, though like all his
actions, the quintessence of gracefullness
only half fed the starved heart. The long,
lonely years of loving and longing won at
last, and she bowed her head and sobbed
Don't you-love me-even a little2"
Then he gathered her up in his arms
and said in low, hurt tone:
"Did you think that could ever marry
woman whom / did not love more than
all else of this life?"
Thus the last lover had come, the least
passionate, the one who had caused the
most sorrow and the one who had filled
her past years with bitter longing. And
this was the one OF them all that she chose
But then women are mysterious, and may
be to no one SO much as to themselves
Chicago News.