The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1895-12-08
INA RYE FIELD.

II should say he must preserve
his honor even II he sacrifices happl-
ness to do it, and
why, Pauline, you do not love
me / did not think / was mistaken.
o, my dear one, do not force me to
leave you, but tell me that you care
for me.n
Howard, You know 1 love you,
but cannot have you stay. l do
not listen to the dictates Of my
heart when say you must go, but ]
think Of the future, your future, ana
prove my affection for you when
say give you up. The nOblest.
most God-like love is unselfish and
"seeketh not its own If you re-
turn to the girl whose right place is
by your side, I do not doubt that in
a few years, with the aid Of influen-
tial friends, you will attain emf
nence IN your profession and some
day you may be happy; no, do not
interrupt mo; but should you marry
me, poor and unknown, your future
would be blasted and we both
would be dissatisfied and unhappy.
No, Howard, it is best for you to 60"
my Pauline, this is hard, but l
vowed to abide by your decision,
knowing that it could not be other
than faultless; but promise me that
II you ever need the services of a
faithful friend, you will let me
know. viii on promise me this?"
yes, Howard, and 1 will exact a
promise of you IN return. VIII you
always keep the secret of your love
for me locked close within your
bosom and make your wife a kind
good husband?"
pauline, that is hard thing to
ask of me. Remember, dearest, l
am only a poor, weak man."
"Yes, Howard, l know that we
can do nothing of ourselves, but
with Gods assistance all things are
possible; promise me.n
Il will try, my noble Pauline"
There was a smile on her lips new,
as she put her hand on his arm and
said:
THANK you, Howarn. And now
before we part, wise to tell you
that you have made me very, very
happy. Before you came, I was
dissatisfied with my quiet, monoto-
nous life, though l tried to conceai
it from grandfather, as it would
have made him unhappy; but now
l would be satisfied any where, low
ing you as do and knowing that
you love me1
He pressed the little hand to his
lips, as he exclaimed
80, my beloved, why are the de-
crees of Fate so inexOrableW
They were standing near the spot
where first they met.
How the current of their lives
had been turned from its course in
these few weeks. 1t is getting dusk
and Pauline exclaims:
81 must go, dear Howard, fol
grandfather will be lonely, Tell
me goodbye now"
She gave him her hand, then
turned to go, but he put his arm
around the slender form. pressed
one kiss upon her brow and said:
Dearest, as you return to the
house sing for me the song you
were singing when first saw YOU
The sobs rise in her throat, bu
she must grant this, his last reques
so she tries to sing:
"If a body meet body
Coming through the rye;
Ifa body kiss a body
Need a body cry"
The voice dies away in the dis
lance and the man, as he watches
the little figure, feels that life's cur
contains only bitterness for him
The next morning he was on hii
way before Pauline awOke.
Ten years have passed since How
ard Rochester sacrificed love anC
happiness to honor and he has beef
ever faithful to the promise made
Pauline. His wife repaid his kind
ness with her loYe, tor she was no
so heartless as be had once thought
But now she has been dead yea
and he comes back to Pauline, full
of bright anticipations for he ha'
done his duty and he will receiv,
his reward, They will be so happy
together. He approaches the house
where he spont some happy weeks
years ago and he wonders If Pauline
now his Pauline, will be very much
surprised to see him. But as he en-.
ters the gate he sees an old MAJ
sitting in the yard. 1t is not Mr.
Rivers it Is some one whom he hai
never seen before. The old mat
looks up and Rochester inquiries:
"gan you tell me II Mr.. Rivers /.