The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1893-05-23

whatever it was she bravely choked it
back.
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
were 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.
She stood thus for a little time in
silence, trying to muster all her cour-
age and power Of appeal.
1t 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
young brother must be a helpless and
lifelong cripple; that Beverly darcy
held her deceased fathers bond for an
amount thrice the value Of h Improperly
they occupied, and that unless she be
came his wife he would demand the
payment, which would strip them of
everything they possessed and would
make her helplessloved ones homeless.
She disliked to remind her lover that
it 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
fact only too clearly, and he groaned
aloud in his despair as he looked at his
darling whom he must soon relinquish
to another.
IF l had only myself to consider, -"
she finished, II would rather be your
wife evea if you could only give me a
crust in an attic. Butas it is, my poor
Burt, wemust 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 il was when it could not
save her from q fate worse than death /!
He no longer referred to his own suf-
feriDg. He was ashamed TO do so in
the face of such a martyrlike renun-
citation and sacrifice as hers.
Don't cry, my dear little love" he
entreated with a voice trembling with
emotion. Every tear strikes upon
my heart like red hot iron. I will do
all you wish; I will promise anything
you exact from me, if that will com
fort you any. You are nobler than I
am, darling; only a saint coulddo what
you purpose doing. I will try to bear
it bravely, my dearest, 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
his 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 junctuTe both we're startled
by a 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 its gilded
pole, and Beverly darcy appeared be-
fore them.
Not a motion of his elegantly-attired
figure, not a line Of his evily-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 whole Of their
melancholy interview.
There was politely pretended wonder
in his smiling black eyes, as he glanced
with seeming c~arelessness at the young
beauty.
"Ah, Bessie! Tt is something about
the gas, I SUPPOSE Or is it the plumb
er's man? Shouldn't you have sent
him to the kitchen, my love? don't
like you to be annoyed by such mat
| ters, - he said, in the blandest of tones
and with the easiest possible air.
Young Jeffry's honest blue eyes
biazed lightning and his hands clutched
convulsively.
But for B9ssie's sake he restrained
his noble rage, and walked silently to
the door.
Without a syllable he lifted his hat
to her, bowed with a princely grace
for which darcy could have slain him,
| and so withdrew.