The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-12-14

tried not TO see the lines about her
large, dark eyes. the dragged hardness
that marred the sweetness Of her
mouth. He knew iustinctiyeIv that
her heart and her love were as fresh
as the first day they were given To
him. but for the life of him he could
not repress a guilty thankfulness that
she was-only an old friend
BY and by he rose to 60. but held her
hand long in taking leave
Now that we have met again,
Olivia. we must not lose sight of one
another When may ! come and see
your
She looked into his eyes and happy
smile curved the corners of her lips
Whenever you please, Angus VIII
YOU come Tomorrow"
And he bowed low and left her be-
hind the glowing lamp, her heart
beating high IN her bosom with the
surety that tomorrow he would speak
and ask her 10 toe his wife
Lady Arlingtou's voice reused her.
olivia, come out of your hiding
place at once ! want you To- come to
birmingham next Saturday. VIII you2'
Olivia smiled yes, thinking what
would any plans matter now After
tomorrow her life would Toe Angus II
do with as he would Most likely he
would want her To 90 to some quiet
river place. where they could be alone.
In happy. dreamful silence she drift
ell across the great drawing-room to-
ward the group gathered about Lady
Arlington. who was chatting volubly
to half dozen women at once.
What did YOU think OF Mira Bert
rams hair? She changes the color
every month, I declare. Lady Susan
was quite angry about il. but then,
YOU know, she thinks II quite indecent
To touch up at all was 50 avfullv
vexed. 10y the way. that Lady Ferrers
couldn't come. She's quite pretty, and
her gowns-an fresh, Of course. for
she's only bride-are so very smart -
Lady Ferrers! Is Sir Angus mar
ried?''
Olivia Abinger did not know whether
she or another asked the question. She
only waited for the answer.
''Oh, yes: six weeks ago. She's such
dear little thing, and so nice. Her
fathers place matches with his own in
Scotland
Olivia Abinger did not cry out OF
faint, though the shattering of her
dream and the breaking Of her heart
were beyond all mortal agony She said:
1 Good night" and drove in a fruvv~v
four-wheeler TO her shabby lodgings
Still silent, still enduring, she went
upstairs TO her little sitting-room: hut
when She had lit the gas II fiarcd upon
face marked 10y the anguish OF q life
time.
She stood by the table her hands
hanging at her sides. her eyes. which
could not weep, staring before her.
Married, rich. happy. While 1,
who have hoped and longed and loved,
am"
She flung her white arms above her
head, and great cry rent her throat
a cry OF all woman's pent-up passion,
Of all a hearts bitter disappointment
1t Is too much. She cried aloud 10
the shabby walls and cheap furniture
Il cannot bear it Tonight I have
dreamed OF other things. ! cannot 20
back To the old ways. Ny heart i
dead within me-dead-'
She paused; a gray shadow stole over
her drawn face, a somber fire burned
in her eyes. For a moment she di>ap-
peared into her bedroom, then returned
to where the gas fiared- She looked
about her and. with the careful method
OF poor woman. picked up her cloak
from the floor and folded IL away on d
chair Then she lowered the uas to
the blue and flung open the window.
i want my soul To be free to go To
him If IL can" she murmured. leaning
out over the street This viii I'M
loose my bondS-and bring me peace
( and rest, and. perhaps, little sigh OF
regret from him
With cold white fingers. that vet did
not tremble at their task. she drew the
| stopper from tiny phial she held IN
/ her hand. 4 thick. sweet odor a. of
/ almond flowers tloated through the
room 1t dominated the faint per
/ fume that breathed.from Olivia gown
! and fair hair. and even tainted with
| its insidious SAVIOR the outer air With
| dilated nostrils she caught the subtle
| scent and smiled little ''Peace-and
| regret-and remembrance. she sighed,
| then raising her hand To her lips. with
one movement of her slender throat
she swallowed the few drops of liquid
! contained in the small blue bottle
! Her hand dropped heavily on the win
! dowsill and her fingers relaxed
The tinkle OF fallen glass rose from
/ the pavement below
She fell upon her knees before the
| open window and raised her ashen face
TO the star-lit heavens
Her fingers twitched in agony above
| her bursting heart: her pale lips strug-
! gled 20 cry but once to the man who,
| for the second time, had plunged her
into the darkness of despair
But only a whisper came from her
burning throat and poor, twisted
! mouth.
"Angus-my love-pray for mere
| member me sometime
Her head fell forward on the win
! dowsill-
| They found her dead at dawn. Most
| people said she couldn't bear poverty.
But one man sometimes wonders #
there was not another reason for her
| suicide.-PiclS-Me-Jp