The National tribune., 1895-11-28

Bah hate the sound of il. Don't start so
l mean it; 1 hate it. There! And now
YOU come saying | am a shirker of my duty,
Henry Harrington; you who do not k know the
+, meaning of the word" He started quickly
| perhaps she was saying more than she had
meant TO say, but she seemed impelled to
speak the turbulent thoughts that filled her
breast. "My father was a good man" she
| went on, breath lessly, but be did not know
what duty meant, or he would have taken
away my mother from these smothering hills;
my grandfather forgot his duty or did not
Know it when he left my dear grandmother
to spend her days in weary longing for
broader life outside. Does duty mean spend
ing ones life and strength and energy here,
where we are really not needed? BY my
duty do you mean that shall marry you
and give up my ambition to 90 out into the
world where / may learn all its lessons and
maybaps be of some good to sane of the
many L meet? Do you mean that / shall
be content to stay here in these hills, shut
out for ever from Gods dear world, that we
may simply live our selfish, narrow life to-
gether? Is there no duty we owe ourselves?
Is there no duty you owe to me, tiff you
love me? Doesn't love show you what you
might do for me ?" she cried, TREMENDOUSLY,
glowing enthusiasm flaming from her brown
eyes, her very body trembling at the force of
her emotion.
With her hands close clasped, her lips
moving in inaudible prayer, the grand
mother lay back in her chair in the shadows.
Mrs. Kilmen paused in the back door, at
tracted by the low, earnest tones of her
daughter. At the words her own cheeks
filled with color, and sudden light fared
up in her faded blue eyes.
Outside the door Henry Harrington stood
leaning against the small porch post, his
eyes riveted on Truth--Trutb, in her fami-
liar gown, but looking strangely changed
10 his astonished eyes as to seem another
girl-Trut4l, with the same simple beauty
he had loved, enhanced by an intangible
charm that thrilled his slow pulses almost to
ecstasy. For moment they stood staring
into each others eyes as though to see and
know the soul that lay beyond; then his
slow voice broke the silence.
had always thought ] knew my duty
and was followin' it," he said. 81 have
meant to walk in the right way all these
years, but maybe / have been wrong
don't say / have, Truth, because l don't
know as | have. But what you said Just
now has made me see some things kinder diff
ierent like from what I've ever seen 'em he
fore. ] was born in these hills here, and i
never thou ght TO leave 'em. ] didn't see no
reason why should. | thought Gods work
was TO he done here the same az out there
beyond the Pass. But maybe you're right
about it's bein' too narrow. / want We to be
happy, We know that, Truth. I'll 90 away
now and think it ali over; when i make uD
my mind what's best for us TO do, I'll let you
know right away. I'm goin now; good-by."
Good-by," she answered, steadily.
Halfway down the walk he turned and
came slowly back 10 her.
Truth, dearie, you'ns knows / never
meant to leave no duty by ye undone, don't
ye ?" his strong voice trembling over the
words
Il know that I know it," she cried
eagerly.
"Good-by -
He paused, awkwardly.
GOod-hy," she whispered, her lips up
raised TO his
She stood there till lie had gone down the
monntain-side into the valley and darkness
below; then she turned and went into the
waiting women.
You heard what told him, didn't you?
Maybe / have lost him forever" her voice
sinking like bird that is dying of pain, |
" but may be-maybe I've won life for us all, |
at last"
Early the next morning Harley Herring
ton, Henry's little brother, came up the hill |
side TO bring note to the girl.
Truth, guess you was right about duty. I've |
thought out what that thing is az j do for you
and I'm goin' away do IL. II won't be long Till |
I'll he bHck again to tax e you with through |
the Pass. couldn't Gnd the strength TO come and |
say good-by. j ain't said n real goud-by TO |
you before. but it won't be for long. Good-by, |
dear. HENRY
i. :. I've been a long time learnin' what duty |
is, but I've known all along the meanin' of true |
love. Your HEaRY