The Dickinson press., 1892-02-06

fear grew. I could feel the warm color
leave my face, and the blood in my veins
grow chill. / could have cried aloud in
my agony. But l must know what it all
meant. The change in my face startled
him.
Nellie" he cried, .for Heavens sake do
not look like that; I cannot bear it! Do
not let the joy and love die from your face
yet, my darling-not lust yet!".
"Why must they die at all? Now that
you have come back, why can we not be as
happy as we were2 There is no reason,
Mark, is there?"
Paler. graver sadder than ever, he tool
my hand in his.
~ have not the courage to speak," he
cried. Heaven forgive me, I cannot
speak,"
us 1t that you have no money, Mark?"
I asked; with a sudden sense o~frelief. ooh,
my darling, | do not care in the least
have love. All, l see now, Mark! You
failed in that Indian undertaking, and you
do not like to tell me so. Why, my love,
l would sooner have one lock OF
your hair than all the wealth of the
world. If any one had left me the largest
avail me without you? All. Mark, you
should know me better!"
II wish to Heaven it was so! I wish l
stood before you a penniless beggar. 1t is
not that. am a rich man, 10Y Nellie,
and my riches are as ashes to me-"
"Why, Mark?" I asked.
Oh, why did he not love me with the
frank, caressing love of old? My heart
hungercd and thirsted for it.
81 I'M a coward, he said, ooh, Nellie,
loyal, sweet, true Nellie, can you not
guess?"
II can guess nothing,"1 replied piteous-
ly. Tell me what is wrong, Mark?"
l began to see that something was terri
bly, amiss, but my faith in him was still I'M
shaken.
"Tell me, Mark. No matter what itmay
be, you can trust me. You know there is
no end to my love. Ifyou are in any trouble
or distress, l shall only love you the more:
your SORROWS. as are your pleasures, are
mine. Perhaps | can help you-the mouse
helped the lion once. 1 have q little mon
ey; my money, my love, my life are all
yours"
The dark handsome face grew paler, the
firm lips tremblcd; l saw great drops on
the broad forehead, l saw mortal agony in
the dark eyes.
Mark" Il cried piteously, there is some
"Yes." he replied slowly; "there is, as
you say, something wrong"
lou VIII tell me WilaI IL Isl 1 asked.
II must; but when | do SO you will hate
me. You will hate me, and send me from
your presence, never to see you again"
All the love, the generosity, the passion
Of my heart was reused. hate himl
Rather could the sun bring darknessl
II could never hate you, Mark, my dear
know me-; you have forgotten in all these
years how love you. gave you my owe
forever and forever; l canno take it away.
Mine was never love for a day. Mark; it
was forever love o SO we'll and so
truly that nothing, can part US. II these
g%rievous crimes. l would kiss them still.
You could never kill my love, Mark. I
would go with you into exile; 1 would
stand by your side on the scatfold and
suffer for you"
Hush Nellie!" he said laying his hand
on my lips: Every word you say is as q
But it is true, Mark-it is all true. I
81 believe it." he said. my beautiful
Nellie! My true Nelliel Oh, how cal I
ask pardon of Heaven. He knelt by my
and smoothed the ripples ofmy hair with
We'll. Poor Nellie! True, loving Nelli lei
How can Heaven pardon mc?"
had ceased to weep, ceased to wonder
Mark had come back to me, but there was
something wrong l felt that he was husb-
ing me to rest in his arms for a few minutes
before he told me, and / was content.
What Mark did was best always.
"Nellie," he said at last-and his voice
trembled with emotion--"seeing how we'll
you love me, / could almost wish that you
were dying now. II the light Of the sur
bic, Nellie. Love, be still; rest for one mo-
ment; | will tell YOU all then"
And | chung the more closely to him.
Should ruin, sorrow, death come, what
mattered it while those arm sheltered mef
A mother soothing her child in the delir-
der than Mark was in that hour to me.
You will hate me, Nellie, when you
hear all; you will send me from you, and I
shall never see you again."
Does it look like it, llove?"1 whispered.
"There is little fear Of that."
Still. he rocked me in his arms, CALLING
:Nellie, Nellie, each moment makes 1t
worse, makes it harder! An, Nellie, why
have you been so true 10 me?"
"Why?" l replied, with a glad little
laugh. 81 could not help it; 1 was true to
you naturally. 1 turned to you. Mark, as
the sul-fiower turns to the sum-"
ooh. my darling, my beautiful love" he
You are noble and loyal; I am-oh,
Heaven, that l should have to say the
words of ,myself!-I am a coward and q
renegade"
You shall not say such things of your
self" l cried. "You are Mark Upton;
and that, in my eyes, means all that is
"Hush, .Nelliel" There was pain in his
face, anguish in his eyes. "Nellie, I must
tell you. Oh, my dear, do not look at me
with those loving eyes. Would that I had
died before this! Ny arms must not hold
you more, Nellie. My dear, lostlove, l am
married! Heaven help me! l was married
more thar q year ago!'