The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-10-06


say you will succeed Thesensitive and
forbearing man is often left in the back
ground. but men of your stamp, never"
He passed down the hall, leaving Tom
hot and indignant. Had Virginia told
him. or did he only guess? 1t was i'm
possible to retaliate, impossible to tell
this selfish dreamer he had never been
his guest. Besides the words did ranklo
oh, so deeply for, though uttered FROM
partially mistaken sense of wrong.
they were true. He had acted coward
ly part.
His face was worn and reckless as he
turned to the hall window, endeavoring
to conquer the quivering of his pulses
before facing Virginia.
! 1t had commenced to snow again. He
could hear the students practicing new
Christmas hymn in the chapel opposite.
In moment the years spent in the col
lege, SO different from his present life,
passed in a series of pictures before him,
md with them the thought of all he owed
Virginia. But for her 1.-THE Worlds
Way" would never have been written
Looking back, he saw how clearly her
companionship had nerved him to con
tinual effort. Hers was the voice that
had urged him on, hers the dauntless
optimism that had sent rift of glory
into his darkest days
An ache rose in his throat; the snow
in the light from the open chapel door,
whirled mistily before him. Now that
he was actually going the thought that
he was leaving her was exquisite pain
! The familiar landmarks frowned an un
oearable reproach.
"What fool l amr' he thought and
gave his shoulders an impatient shrug
when I'm with Delatole, l see I've done
right. When I'm here-pshawl what's the
use of these regrets? They lead nowhere
! can't turn back. must go on. I'll
never forget Virginia, we can be friends
still, and some day, in year maybe,
when I'm sure of myself, if she but loves
me, all will somehow come right"
He went first to his own room and sal
down, looking before him in a dazed way
Would it all come right? Did he believe
that? Was he trying to deceive himself
at the last? Then for the sake of action
and to keep thought away as much as
possible he put his clothes and books
In his trunk, locked and addressed it.
Even when that was done he hesitated.
A tumult seemed striving to tear his
heart asunder. His hands were like ice.
81 must go to her. must. Why de-
lay longer"
He found her leaning against the melo-
deon, her fingers buried in the fur of
the little white kitten he had often leased.
Her face was perfectly colorless She
looked at him steadfastly coldly and ut
tered no word. 1t was evident she had
heard his voice in the hall and was wait
ing for him.
There was long and painful silence
The words that came thronging to Toms
lips were those he dared not speak.
"You have come to say goodby," Vir-
ginia said abruptly, still bending upon
his face that full, disconcerting gaze. 81
heard all you said to father. There is
no need to go over it again"
She held out her hand, and he seized it
eagerly, only to find it cold and unre-
sponsive. Oh, if she but uttered one
pleading word, one reproach, that he
might in some measure defend himself
But this chilling repose was wall which
shut him away from her.
do not misjudge me-" he burst out
passionately, his voice broken, and at the
words she looked away. II am going
away for a time to work hard, very
hard. And want to believe that your
good wishes go with me, that you still re-
main my friend"
No reply, but her eyes were upon him
again, as eloquent with reproach as the
eyes of the murdered Caesar gazing on
the face of Brutus.
That look told all. He felt it in his
inmost heart He knew himself con
temptible. But Delatoles worldly wise,
humorously cynical counsel was with
him, impressive and significant as the
tenets of a new creed to convert.
He dropped her cold hand in silence
and half turned away.
"Tll come and see you very often. Vir-
ginia, if may" he said haltingly. New
York is not wilderness, you know
Whenever my work permits, I'll come
and have chat with you, just-just the
same"
The words died on his lips. He knew
he lied. He knew it would be long ere
he should choose to see her changed face
If indeed ever again.
Her silence maddened him.
"Have You nothing to say, Virginia."
"Goodby," she said, and smiled-but
suchasmilel There were agony and scorn
In it.
sis that allT-
She held up her little head proudly,
and again from her pale, tense lips came
a murInur clear and defiant:
"Goodby."
Then her eyes closed. When she look
ed up, he was gone.
Her body seemed weighted, and she
moved with an effort to the window,
finding dreaminess that soothed the
hurt in her heart in watching the even
fall Of snow.
The chapel yonder was ablaze with
light, rainbow coloring from the win
dows falling in bars upon the fresh snow
that lovingly outlined every twig and
angle. And now the students came