The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1893-03-31
LOVE LAUGHS AT SHARES,
BY Geraldine Fleming.


snce! am helpless, my destiny is
dxed, am bound hand and foot and
no human power can release me-"
1T 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.'
''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 gesture
which was almost stern.
Did 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 I can
give you to another man without a
pang:' he demanded in voice which
pierced her heart like the thrust of a
dagger.
A burning crimson flush dyed the
proud, dusky face. from her pretty
throat to the little silky rings Of tawny
hair about her forehead.
Her dark, fawn-like eyes kindled, her
full and beautifully arched lips Quiv-
cred
A rash retort was nearly uttered,
but whatever it was she bravely
choked it Lack.
No matter how Burt might reproach
or censure her in such moment as
this, she would be patient with him.
She knew that his sarcastic words
were wrung from 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.
She stood thus for little time in
silence, trying to muster all her cour
age and power of appeal.
It was so hard to say what must be
said-that her widowed mother must
always be an invalid; that without the
most expensive surgical treatment her
her sung brother must be a helpless
and lifelong cripple; that Beverly
darcy held her deceased fathers bond
Tor an amount thrice the value of the
property they occupied, and that unless
she became his wife he would demand
Of everything they possessed and
would make her helpless loved ones
homeless.
She disliked 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.
But Burt recollected the miserable
TACT only too clearly, and he groaned
aloud In his despair as he looked at his
darling whom he must soon relinQuiSh
to another.
IF had only myself to consider"
she finished, II would rather be your
wife even if you could only give me a
crust in an attic But as it is, my DOOR
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.
The young lover had ceased to COM
bat her resolution.
He no longer pleaded his love. Alas!
how worthless it was when it could not
save her from fate worse than death!
He no longer referred to his own
suffering. He was ashamed to do so
In the face of such a martyr-like re-
nunciation and sacrifice as hers!
Don't cry, my dear little love-" he
ontreated with voice trembling with
emotion. Every tear strikes upon my
heart like red-hOt iron. will do all
you wish; will promise anything you
exact from me, if that will comfort YOU
any. You are nobler than 1 am
darling; only a saint could do what you
purpose doing. I will try to bear it
oravely, my sweetest, for your sake"
Il knew you would, dear" she an
swered
And with the words she lifted her
sweet lips to his for the parting kiss
the long, sad, lingering kiss of an eter-
nal farewell.
AS she gently withdrew herself from
bis yearning arms the unhappy young
lover turned abruptly away lest She
should perceive the great scalding
drops which were overlooking his own
despairing eyes,
At that juncture both Were startled
by sudden noise behind the heavy
tapestry hangings which divided the
parlor from the room beyond.
Before either could speak or stir the
drapery was pushed aside on it's gilded
pole, and Beverly darcy appeared be-
fore them
Not a motion Of his elegant y-,tti;fsl
figure. not Il line of his evilly-hand-
some countenance. betrayed the fact
that he had been standing for the last
half hour behind the portiere. and that
he had witnessed the rhole of thir
melancholy interview.
There was politely pretended wonder
In his smiling black eyes. us he glanced
with seeming 'carelessness at young
Jeffrv.
''Ah. Bessie: 1t is something about
the gas. ! suppose! Or is it the plumb
er's man? Shouldn't yor have sen: him
to the kitchen. my love? I doa'e like
yon to be annoyed by such n.l,te:s,' -
be Said. in the b:andest Of tones and
with the easiest possible air.
Yong JefTry's honest blue eyes
blazed lightning. and his hands clutched
conv,llsiy ely
But for Bessie's sake he restrained
his noble rage. and walked silently to
the door.
Without 4 syllable he lifted his hat
to her, bowed with q prin..ely grace
for which Darcy could have slain
him, and 80 withdrew.