Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1895-01-24
afterWard

Dll0t OI9 blptBlHky NOhO lhhNl Lux liO
was falling down a precipice, or Silence
was falling and he was leaping in after
her-all those vague troubles in which
dreams carry out the prominent idea
of the day. He rose gladly, but only
rose to veXation; no letter from his
mother, but one from the family law
yer, saying Mrs. Jardine had been con-
sulting with him, and that she alto
gether objected to her son denuding
himself Of his patrim ny, the only alb
solute property he possessed, and CIV
ing it to unknown foreign cousins, who
might make ducks and brakes of 1t"
in no time,
Spite of his annoyance Roderick
could not help laughing. The idea Of
Silence and her mother as eXtravagant
spendthrilts, bringing TO ruin the jar
dine inheritance, was too comical. He
had not been lucid enough, he must
write again and explain-what? If he
told his mother the whole truth, that
he had deliberately made up his mind,
and meant, if by Gods blessing he was
fortunate in his love, to bring her home
as u daughter-in-law this portionless
Swiss girl-probably the very last
daughter-in-law she would have eX-
pected or desired-how would she take
1t? What would happen?
In this serious business light he had
never before regarded the question;
and though it perplexed him, it gave
him also q delicious sense of reality.
His nebulous passion was resolving it
self into the clear, steady glow of u
fixed love, q love meant to end in those
solemn duties of married life which
all good men are born for, and good
women, too; and which neither sex
can shirk or set aside, or by any sad
fate lose, without involving o certain
incompleteness in character and des-
tiny.
Yes; l must write again to my
mother" he said to himself, and even
took up pen and paper. But how to
write? That tender condensation
babyhood to manhood-which some
times exists between mother and son,
had never existed here. "She would
not understand.
Nevertheless, in writing to his
mother, as he at last did write, deter
mining to pay her the just filial respect
of telling her his intentions before he
made the offer of marriage, he 'ex-
planned that he had no idea what Mile.
Jardines answer would be; and he
begged her to keep his secret entirely
to herself until he could tell her the
result
$50 the deed is done thus far" said
Roberick to himself, as he posted the
letter, and then braced his courage for
the next step. For he judged rightly
no English wooing, trusting to sweet
chance and the impulse of the moment,
would do here. He must speak to the
mother first. Until he won her ap-
proval he could never be to Silence
more, ostensibly, than common &C
quaintance.
Trying, but inevitable. So that very
evening-giving the gentle invalid q
whole day to recover from her fatigue
he determined to present himself,
and ask formally of Nine. Jardine per-
mission to WOO her daughter. Perhaps
he might then be allowed to tell
Silence himself all she was to him.
And when she understood it all-the
first look, eye to eye; the first kiss,
mouth to mouth; the open, mutual
recognition of love that was to last
them through lite, and go with them,
please God, into the life eternal-at the
bare thought OF such bliss the young
man felt dizzy.
He half staggered as he walked, and
at last stood quite still at the solitary
street corner-the street he knew so
well-to command himself before he
attempted to mount the stair Though
it was still early all was dark-the
quiet darkness of a mild November
night, with the stars shining overhead.
Roderick looked up at them, trying to
gain little quietness too.
So standing, he scarcely noticed o
gentleman, almost as self-absorbed as
himself, till they ran right against one
another.
Pardon, monsieur" said the kindly
voice of M. 10 Professeur Reynier.
what, Monsieur Jardine-ca it be
you? How Fortunate l was just COM
ing to pay you little visit.
Roderick muttered some civil an
swer, but did not offer to turn back.
Indeed, he had come to that point
when he felt he could not turn back
could not defer his bliss, or fate an
other hour for any mortal creature.
"I-another time / shall be most
happy. Now-I have an engagement.
"t ardon again" said the gentle old
man, touching the arm Of the younger
one; "but-were you going there?" He
pointed up the stair which he had just
descended. Indeed, you must not go"
"Why not?" said Roderick, angrlly,
then recollecting himself, added, with
a careful Indifference: your daugh-
ters told me Madame Jardine was not
well; 1 was going to inquire for her."
mon Dieu!" cried M. Reynier, clasp
ing his hands with gesture which we
Unconditional islanders would smile at
as so un-English." Mon Dieu!-then
monsieur does not know"
Know what"
"She is dead-she died this morn
ing"
"She-who?"
Madame Jardine, alas 1t was quite
sudden-there was nobody beside her
but her daughter. Quite peaceful, too
without any suffering; and the doctor
lad dreaded much one day, for it was
disease Of the heart. Her child's only
thought now is thankfulness for that.
Poor Mademoiselle Silence! Madame
Reynier is with her now she, or my
girls, will not cave her until the in
terment
Here the old man fairly gave way,
took out his pocket-handkerchief, and
wiped his honest eyes Roderick
l = -, Al IL.