The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1894-03-10

ways there was the Barbary tree in
its scarlet and green livery, standing
guard by tho library window! Oh!-a
sharp pain sent the blood stinging to
the apple Of her throat and tearing at
her eyeballs-. 1t was there that she
had crept and hidden to read letter
only week ago and the rcd berries
had dropped upon her breast as she
writhed beneath the boughs and every
drop seemed as q flame to burn into
her heart. How could one suffer So
and live?
And why was she 's'bad?" She could
not rememter. She only knew that
that day beneath the Barbary tree
was the last wrench in giving up the
forbidden She had thought she was
being good aud noble was keeping
her promise as the highest canons Of
duty demanded. Was putting aside
temptation-and yet the voice kept
saying she WAS bad It was problem
her learning could not clear.
Some ono was calling at the door,
calling some other person with an un.
familiar name would thev never
leave of? They bothered her. Then
someone else. a man, boldly crossed
the threshold OF her room, laid his
hand upon her arm, bent low and
aaid: "Anna, ilovo OF me-come, we
shalt be late"
She let him lead her away. He was
so tall, 10 strong! Down in the hall
below people were waiting. Some Of
them were crying, and it made her
vaguely sad. She tried to eface her
self BY stepping into tho shadow of
bookcase, and then someone sought
Irwin" and everyone laughed at what
they called his "blundera'
She wished they would not. It con-
fused her; why should they laugh be-
cause he called her Miss Irwin-was
that not her name? All, no, she re-
membered-and there were more good
byes, and many kisses, and, she was
seated in the carriage beside tho tall;
straight man, and they were driving
down the hill that she knew 50 we'll
How good it all looked. The trees
! touched by the first early frost into a
spiked :glimmer of gold and flame.
The little river, singing exultant OF
recent rains beneath tho bridge upon
which tho hoozs of the horses smote
sharply, with ringing sound. Tho
world was fair. so very fair. Did it
not seem thus to those who wero
about to die. she wondered, 10 .weet
and dear a world TO close their eyes
upon, aud have darkness shut in upon
their lids forever?
The man At her side bent over her,
! coming between her and her tn ouxhts.
She felt his arm about her: she heard
his whisper Of Anna, my little wife,
hfter thess earssef aisiur.,,
For.t,ne delirtpsaas moment, she rave
herself up to thinning that these were
other arms. to believing even tho voice
another voice, to dreaming 1that ahe
could look up and see the stern, dark
face of the absent, instead Of tho clear
brow and frank eyes Of the present
Then she tore herself away with \
little choking cry Of horror Ut herself
and hatred.
The man looked, saw tho carriage
had almost reached tho station plat
form, saw merry party thereon
gathered, and said apologetically.
'Oh. l see, dear, they are here before
u.s., and theu smiled brightly to the
wedding guests who had preceded
them. The long wind swep. aslde
shAwls and wraps as they walked and
gave to ordinary people about the
depot glinpses Of satin shoon and
! lace rufles and glittering arms, and
! here and there = flower and jewel.
There was an abundance Of Laughter
and rice, and both were distri bu ted by
the restless ones unable to wait
quietly for the belated train and tho
proper season for rice-throwiug. Anna
felt the cold. hard grains press against
tho hollow of her neck, but only
smiled. It WAS dream, and she her
self but fantasy among shadowA
| Tho dream grew more and mere con-
fustng. The bridegroom was hurried
away to tho ticket Office upon some
erTand which had become eptaugled.
A thought of temporary freedom
seized her. She must get away from
this confusion of shadows She turned
In tho direction which her husband
had taken. The shadows laughed
| about her: She cannot loose sight Of
him even moment Oh, Anna, won't
you be known for bride at once:"
and . tenderer than the rest nur-
mured: "How she must love him!"
But Anna did not follow her hus-
band beyond the frst door. Crossing
q waittng-room she opened a second
door and emerged into the outer air
! She knew the place well Here was
but single track and less light aud
| fewer people. Here she could DO moro
quiet TO think tho problem out-why
the voice kept saying she was "bad."
She paced up and down, and tho wind
blew her silk-lined mantle into cling.
ing, classic folds about her. Still It.
cooled her head and cleared her brain.
Why was she bad? Had she not
kept her promise Of years? Had sho
not irrevocably sent away that other
man who had made vows even as hers
now were? She had suffered; 50,
doubtless, would he At the hitter
thought the old crMel pain clutched at
heart and throat-but she had dono
what she thought right Up to to-day
her life had appeared pure, spotless,
blameless. She and that other man
had drifted into loving almost with
out knowing, but upon realization Of
their folly they had given each other
up, had done their duty singly. Row,
then, could either of them be s'bad7,'
But the voice kept saying it and Anna
Irwin--no, Anna McIntyre-:rinped
as she recollected saying OF her
fathers when once as child she had
sobbed to see debased and cursinp
wretch dragged along the streets by .