The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-03-30
LOVE LAUGHS AT SHARES
BY Geraldine Fleming.

LOU uOu lONe luS, OCsSl0. .Sf@EI
eff I loved you million times more
than do, Burt, it would make no differ
ence! I am helpless, my destiny is
fixed, l am bound hand and foot ana
no human power can release me-
-It maddens me to hear you talk like
that, my darling You need not marry
Beverly darcy unless you are willing.
No one can force you to do so against
your inclinations." = va
"Oh, Burt, you are only making my
sacrifice harder My courage almost
fails me when I see that you must
suffer, too
Burt Jeffry checked her by a gesture
which was almost stern.
'sDid you fancy could lose you like
this, and not suffer? Do you think my
love is so petty? Do you think | am so
despicable and bloodless, that L can
give you to another man without
pangT' he demanded in a voice which
pierced her heart like the thrust of a
dagger. -.
A burning crimson flush dyed the
proud, dusky face, from her pretty
10 tllc uCllC SLhy lllSS VI ld"hS
hair :bout her forehead.
I Her dark, fawn-like eyes kindled, her
full and beautifully arched lips quiv
cred. 5.. -.
A rash retort was nearly uttered,
but whatever it was she bravely
chOked it back. 90 49,
No matter how Burt might reproach
or censure her in such a moment as
this, she would be patient with him.
She knew that his sarcastic words
swere wrung from a tortured heart.
She went over to him and took one
of his strong white hands between both
her soft, delicate palms, and looked
up into his angry and agonized face
with all her sweet soul shining through
her dewy eyes. E.rs~..tfs
49, She stood thus for little time in
silence, trying to muster all her cour-
age and power of appeal. ~ -
1t was so hard to say what must be
s:,id-that her widowed mother must
always be an invalid; that without the
most expensive surgical treatment her
her young brother must be Il helpless
and lifelong cripple; that Beverly
darcy held her deceased fathers bond
for an amount thrice the value of the
property they occupied, and that unless
ahe became his wife he would demand
the payment which, would strip them
of everything they possessed and
would make her helpless loved ones
homeless -.". :
She dislikell to remind her lover that
1T might be years before he should be
established in a remunerative practice,
and that now as an unknown lawyer
he was unable to furnish even a rude
nest for his bride alone. ~ y
But Burt recollected the miserable
fact only too clearly, and he groaned
aloud in his despair as he looked at his
darling whom he must soon reHnquish
to another.
IF [ had only myself to consider y
she finished, Il would rather be your
wife even if you could only give me q
crust in an attic. But as it is. my pOOl
Burt, me must try to forget each
other -.
And then, courageous as she was
poor bessie threw herself into his
arms and wept as if her heart were
breaking. r-'.~ 81.
The young lover had ceased to com
bat her resolution. r
He no longer pleaded his love. Alas
how worthless it was when it could no
save her from a fate worse than death
Iii He no longer referred to his owl
suffering. He was ashamed to do S,
I'm the face of such 4 martyl-like re
nunciation and sacrifice as hers!
Don't cry my dear little love-" h,
entreated with a voice trembling witt
emotion. Every tear strikes upon m,
heart like red-hot iron. 1 will do al
you wish: l will promise anything yo1
exact from me, if that will comfort yo1
any You are nObler than I am
darling; only a saint could do what yO1
purpose doing. l will try to bear
3bravely, my sweetest, for your sake
II knew you would. dear" she an
severed.
And with the words she lifted he
sweet lips to his for the parting kiss
the long. sad, lingering kiss of an ete1
nal farewell --,..
AS she gently withdrew herself fror
IBIS yearning arms, the unhappy youn
lover turned abruptly away lest sll
should perceive the great scaldin
drops which were Overlooking his OW
despairing eyes
At that juncture both Were startla
by a sudden noise behind the hcav
tapestry hangings which divided til
parlor from the room beyond.
Before either could speak or stir til
sdrapery was pushed aside on it's glide
pole, and Beverly darcy appeared b
fore them.
Not a motion of his e1eg;lntl '. tttii.e
figure, not a line of his cvilly-han,
some countenance. betrayed the fl,
that he had been standing for the la
half hour behind the portiere, and IN;
he had witnessed the y!lole Of til,
melancholy interview.
There was politely pretended 1ond,
in his smiling black eyes. as he glance
with seeming carelessness at your
-Jeffry.
"Ah, Bessie! 1t is something abo,
the gas. ] suppose! Or is it the plum
ser's man: Shouldn't You have sent hi
TO the kitchen. my love? I doa.ee Ii,
Won to be annoyed by such matters
he said. in The blandest of tones al
with the easiest possible air
Young Jeffrys honest blue ey
blazed lightning. and his hands clutch,
conyulsiyely,
But for Bessie's sake he restraint
his noble rage and walked sl!en.i.
the door.
:Ici.- fl~s