Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-01-02

been rapidly gaining powers of pene- tration. He had not thought that the 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? How 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- flee 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. 7" But will he never feel as I do?" she 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 satis- fed"
 She turned her eyes upon him with a gaze of intense anxiety.
 ''How can two walk together unless their spirits are one?" she said, with a sigh.
 Bodily union and spiritual disunion -OnA I answered "If you marry a 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 a 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 I am not near him!''
 If she had been near him she would have beheld him making a fresh toilet in high good humor. Edward Eaters by had met him, and had invited him to dine at fashionable restaurant that evening.
 'Men are made of tougher materials than you fancy" Uncle Wake rerIed, with reassuring smile. ''He looked we'll enough when I 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 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. It was hard to see Mich aers vacant place at the supper table; but Uncle Wake encouraged her with smiles, and talked quite openly of the absent lover.
 ''1f he does not come in on Monday or Tuesday, shall go and look him up." he said. "Ah, Mrs. Wake, how unrea- sonable you used to be if ever dared to have headachel It 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 a short manner, but what is manner when man is hardworking and steady? When looked at our poor Jessie to-day, could not help thinking of Olives good fortune"
 For years, everybody had been talk ing to Olive about her good fortune. Who was she, that such a clever young
  her? The girl had always been hum ble and grateful, and she was humble and grateful still; only 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 faculties which had been undevel- oped in her village home.
 She had learned lately that there are certain aspirations which cannot be stifed, even at love's command, with out self-degradation. Truly he who fndeth 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 Sne 1el1 lnUO 8 peaceIul sleep, ana dreamed of the old downs end fields of her childhood. Michael was roaming with her through those calln 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 old-fashioned way of rustic lovers. Then Jane and Aaron joined them, and they followed the course of the rivulet through the grass, and laughed for very gladness of heart.
 She awolze suddenly in the light of London day, with that dream-laughter ringing in her ears. And then all the bitterness of yesterday came back like flood, and she remembered that she and Michael had drifted apart.
 But downstairs there was the every day life awaiting her, full of It's whole some work and cheerfulness. And there was a note from Michael ad-