Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-05-29

| slight quiver in his voice, and glancing
up at his dark, clear cut face she saw
that he was very grave. She felt that it
was settled-that he had come to ask
her for her sisters hand.
"She is charming GIRL" said he after
a pause.
"Indeed she is" cried Clara warmly.
"And no one who has not lived with her
and known her intimately can tell how
charming and good she is. She is like
sunbeam in the house."
''No one who was not good could be
absolutely happy, as she seems to be.
Heavens last gift, think, is a mind so
pure and a spirit so high that it is>un-
able even to see what is impure and evil
in the world around us. For as long as
we can see it, how can we be truly hap
py?"
'She has a deeper side also. She does
not turn it to the world, and it is not
young. But she thinks and has aspira-
tions of her own"
"You cannot admire her more than
do. Indeed, Miss Walker, only ask to
be brought into near relationship with
her and to feel that there is permanent
bond between u.s."
1t had come at last. For moment
her heart was numbed within her, and
then flood of sisterly love carried all
before it. Down with that dark thought
which would still try to raise its unhal-
lowed head! She turned to Harold with
sparkling eyes and words of pleasure
upon her lips.
81 should wish to be near and dear to
both of you," said he as he took her
hand. 81 should wish Ida to be my sis
ter and you my wife"
She said nothing. She only stood
looking at him with parted lips and great,
dark, questioning eyes. The lawn had
vanished away, the sloping gardens, the
brick villas, the darkening sky with half
pale moon beginning to show over the
chimney pots. All was gone, and she
was only conscious of dark earnest
pleading face, and of voice far away,
disconnected from herself, the voice of a
man telling woman how he loved her
He was unhappy, said the voice, his life
was void; there was but one thing that
could save him; he had come to the part
ing of the ways; here lay happiness and
honor and all that was high and noble;
there lay the soul killing round, the
lonely life, the base pursuit of money
the sordid selfish aims. He needed but
the hand of the woman that he loved to
lead him into the better path.
And how he loved her his life would
show. He loved her for her sweetness,
ha, L
He had need of her. Would she not
come to him? And then of sudden as
she listened it came home to her that the
man was Harold Denver, and that she
was the woman, and that all Gods work
was very beautiful-the greensward be-
meath her feet the rustling leaves, the
long orange slashes in the western sky.
She spoke. She scarce knew what the
broken words We're, but she saw the
light of joy shine out on his face, and
her hand was still in his as they wan
dered amid the twilight. They said no
more now, but only wandered and felt
each others presence. All was fresh
around them, familiar and yet new,
tinged with the beauty of their own new
found happiness.
did you not know it before?' he
asked.
Il did not dare to think it."
what a mask of ice l must wearl
How could a man feel as / have done
without showing it? Your sister at least
knew"
"Idaw
at was last night. She began to
praise you, l said what felt, and then
in an instant it was all out"
"But what could you-what could
you see in me? Oh, do pray that you
may not repent itr The gentle heart
was ruflled amid its joy by the thought
of its own unworthiness.
"Repent it. | feel that am saved
man. You do not know how degrading
this city life is, how debasing, and yet
how absorbing. Money forever clinks
in your ear. You can think of nothing
else. From the bottom of my heart l
hate it, and yet how can l draw back
without bringing grief to my dear old
father? There was but one way in which
could defy the taint and that was by
having a home influence so pure and SO
high that it may brace me up against all
that draws me down. | have felt that
influence already. know that when 1
am talking to you l am a better man. 1t
is you who must go with me through
life, or must walk forever alone"
ooh, Harold, l am so happy" Still
they wandered amid the darkening shad-
ows, while one by one the stars peeped
out in the blue-black sky above them.
AT last chill night wind blew up from
the east and brought them back to the
realities of life.
"You must so in. You Will pc coIu.
"My father will wonder where l am.
Shall say anything to him?"
"If you like, my darling. Or l will in
the morning. must tell my mother to-
night know how delighted she will
be-"
81 do hope So"
Let me take you up the garden path.
1t is so dark. Your lamp is not lit yet
There is the window. Till tomorrow,
then 1earast "