The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-04-14

was once you-the one on the sea in the
danger and darkness. almost believe
with Miss Ludington," she went on with
a faint smile, "that souls die and Others
are born within us; that we are not the
same beings we once were. Then, you
were-not as you are now" she ended
tearfully.
And you will throw me over?" The
love in his heart shining out in his eyes
imploring her to forgive the pain he caus
ed her.
II should learn to lothe the being you
would become" she shuddered.
You send me rather into the abyssP
The bottom is easily reached"
She looked piteously toward him. SIT
remains wholly with yourself" her lips
trembled.
SIS there no helpP" Yet was it not his
selfishness asking her to accept life of
broken promises, in return for all her
loyalty and love? For beneath all, and
he knew it, lay burning consciousness
that such 1T must be. He was losing
faith in himself. He was shorn of his
strength.
"If cannot help you now, never can
1t seems have utterly failed. No. Col
You shall not ruin my life as you have
your own. When you have become the
master instead of the slave. you may
come to me if you wish. Will wait for
you. And, o, have not lost all faith in
you, yetl' she cried. $50, prove its
truth if you will, she burst out. ibid
you save my life to ruin it?n
20, Merabel?' with streaming eyes and
those tones of despair ringing in her ears,
their cry almost breaking her resolution,
she left the room.
After time, a long time, Merabel took
up the old life again, with its gayeties
left out. The old sparkle ever bubbling
and Overlooking was less brilliant; per-
haps something sweeter had come to
dwell i'll its place, but it told of cruel
BILE of fire.
Thus the days and months passed
YEARLY along till five years had gone by
and Walter had not returned. Merabel
gave him up as dead to her. and what was
worse, as dead to talent, honor, life,
heaven.
Again she stood among Easter lilies,
this time in fashionable city church,
The choir had been rehearsing for the
morrow. When the last hymn was over
and nearly all were gone, Merabel sang
again two lines of it,
Loves redeeming work is done.
Fought the fight the victory won"
"Merabel!'' called the last of her
friends at the door.
The name had been echoing and re-
echOing all day in her heart and she did
not hear them. Sometimes it rang with
the clear full tones of the tempest; some
times with the grief of despair. Never
in all the years had Walter seemed so
near her as on this day.
Merabel-Merabel? There
was a new ken TO the notes. Joy and
melancholy mingled. but with them vi
brated the rich full tones of conquest.
81 have done your biddlng," breathed
the manly voice of Walter Mertindale,
standing before the girl he loved, with
strength, pride and victory for his coro-
net. 81 have done your bidding. Ihave
come for you.
Loves redeeming work is done for
earth, and hope for heaven. The fight
is fought, the victory won. l can sing
it with you this glad Easter time. /
could not turn to the old life if would.
1t is buried forever. And it's resurrec-
ton morn is glowing with the dawn of
purified bliss. 1t was a struggle, but it
can be done if one wills. On one side,
home, honor, happiness, heaven; on the
other, an outcast, spurned, with devils
for your angels"
AS he had been speaking, Merabel, with
eyes all aglow, involuntarily drew near
him. Almost dazed she listened with
parted lips, burning cheeks, srihed
breath.
st is which one chooses" the we'll
known voice went on. ut depends on
what one loves the best. And first, last,
always, you have been my polar star.
Come.-Emma Louise Orcutt, in the
Homestead.