The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1894-05-24

ing her head from my shoulder, she
looked around, and then turned with
a soft, inarticulate and glad murmur
to hide her face on my bosom. / spoke
fervently; told of the years spent away
from her; how, when working In the
diamond fields, she had ever been pres
emit in my fancy; how, mt night, her
name had fallen from my lips In my
only prayer: how l had dreamed Of
her among the greatest in the land
the richest, and, dare swear, the
loveliest woman in the world. | grew
warmer STILL I'LL the gladness which
had been constrained for so long now
hurst wildly from my lips; Il myriad
of rich ideas resolved into words,
which, being spoken, wove one long
and delicious fit of passion. As we
stood together the moon frightened
and filled the chamber with Il light like
the days. The ridges of the surround
ing moorland stood out in sharp relief.
Rose drank in my declarations thirs-
tily, but soon interrupted me with n
heavy sigh. Come away" she said,
softly; II no longer live in this house.
You must stay with me tonight. This
place is so wretched now; for time,
that in you and me has only strength
ened love, has brought much ruin here"
Half leaning on me, she led me from
the precincts of Breton Hall. We
walked in silence over the waste that
crowns the valley Cf the Whtelands,
and being near the verge of the rocks,
saw the great pine wood sloping down.
war |. lighted near us by the moon, but
soon lost in density. Along the mys-
teriOus line where the light changed
into gloom, intricate shadows of with
cred summer bracken struck and re-
ceded in mimic battle. Before us lay
the Priests Cliff. The moon was yelled
here by Il grove of elms, whose ever
swaying branches alternately Increased
and leSsencd her brightness. This was
place of notoriety-a veritable Col
gotha-l haunt fit only for demons.
Murder and theft had been punished
here, and to this day tireSide stories
are told of evil women dancing around
that Druids' circle, carrying hearts
plucked from gibbeted bodies.
Rose" l whispered, why have you
brought me hereY"
She made no reply, but pressed her
head more closely to my shoulder.
Scarcely had my lips closed than Il
sound like Il hiss of Il half-strangIed
snake vibrated among the trees. 1t
grew louder and louder. A monstrOus
shadow lowered above.
Rose, from my bosom, murmured:
Love is strong as Death! Love is
strong as Death
| locked her in my arms so tightly
that she grew breathless. Hold mel"
she painted. You are strong"
A cold hand touched our foreheads
so that, benumbed, we sank together
to the ground, to fall instantly into Il
dreamless slumber.
When | awoke the clear, gray light
of the early morning had spread over
the country. Beyond the hall garden
the sun was just bursting through the
clouds, and had already spread long
golden haze along the horizon. The
babbling of the Streamlet that runs
down to HalktOn was so distinct that
it seemed almost at my side. How
sweetly the wild thyme smelt! Filled
with the tender recollections of the
night, without turning | called Rose
Pascal from her sleep.
Sweetheart, sweetheart, waken!
waken! waken! See how glad the
world lOOkS-see the OmenS of happy
future
No answer came. I sat up, and,
looking around me, saw that I was
alone. A square stone lay near. When
the sun was high l crept to read the
inscription carved thereon: Here, at
four crOss-paths, lieth, with a stake
through the bosom, the body of Rose
Pascal, who, in her sixteenth year,
wilfully cast away the life God gaye.H