The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-03-11


left the place-a conviction that made
his pulse beat hurriedly when a little
later, light step became audible in the
corridor.
1t was Helen. From his retreat
Manvers saw her enter, glanced round
hastily and, apparently under the be-
lief the room was untenanted, open the
piano and begin 10 play.
In five minutes she was so much alb
sorbed in the music that he was able,
without fear Of detection, to change his
position and take up one that allowed
him to see her plainly as she sat at the
instrument. His eyes dwelt lovingly
on every line of her beautiful calm
face. How different was her expires
sion now TO when he had parted from
her +, When, with scorn in her voice
and an angry gleam in her eyes, she
had hidden him go and never attempt
To see or speak To her again. He had
loved her then-ah, never more truly
and he loved her now with a passion
ate longing that was more akin To pain
than TO pleasure.
The sonata came 10 an end, and after
n short pause, she begun to sing. or
old it had ever boen difficult To persuade
Helen to sing before anyone-even her
lover had rarely heard her voice.
Music and poetry affected her power
fully, and she shrank from making a
display of her feelings. The air she
sung now was unfamiliar 10 him, but
the words, Goethe's "Nur wer die
Sehnsucht kermit, weiss was ich leide, I"
he knew well. They might or might
not be an index to the state of the'girl's
heart, but they evidently touched her,
for presently, with something very like
a sob, she ceased singing and left the
music-stool.
She crossed the room and, bending
over the large table, sought among the
books and papers for something to
read. Manvers held his breath as he
saw her, after pushing aside two or
three Others, take up the-Magazine
and settle herself comfortably in an
easy-chair. Turning the leaves care
lessly, she fixed on an article towards
the end of the bOok-perilously near to
it, Manvers thought, remembering that
''Is Ii Too Late? ," was the very last
paper in the number.
And surely it was that very article
she was reading, for what other would
have called up such deep sigh, or fill
ed those sweet eyes with tears. It was
wrong, it was unmanly thus 20 watch
her, and her lover, feeling this to his
hearts core, had risen to ring for some
one to help him upstairs, whan the
reading-room door opened and lady
and gentleman came in.
Their entrance brought matters to a
crisis. With a natural Discrimination
to be found in tears, the girl rose hast-
lily, made her way into the ante-room
and closed the door behind her.
When Helen found herself face to
face with her discarded lover she stood
It seemed 10 her as if her
own thoughts had called up the vi
sion. But her quick eyes soon noted a
change in his appearance; how he was
i'll and worn, his hair griZzled and thin
his step halting and uncertain; and she
saw it was the living man that stood
before her. She tried to give him
some commonplace greeting, but the
words would not come. His Christian
name, softly breathed, was all she
could bring her tongue TO utter.
< He heard the word and it gave him
courage.
II have startled you, fear he be
gan, hesitatingly. Then you did not
know was here"
No" she replied, and then paused.
II have been laid up for weeks with
Il sprained ankle" he went OH slowly.
81 only left my room yesterday. | can
ldIulN HlbNt hbN Nibhput sio0i1'aiNNs
which must plead my excuse, Miss
for my having remained
to listen to your music just now |
have not forgotten your dislike to sing
before Il stranger"
"A stranger Did she repeat the
word, or was il his fancy? She shiv-
cred rs if a cold wind had passed over
her, and her book fell from her hand.
He glanced at it. All, if that poor
little story was ever To do a good work
in this world, the time had surely come
now.
"a stranger" he resumed in tone
of deep feeling, "by your wish, Helen
not mine. Dearest, my heart has
never changed towards you aud it
never will. Is it too late to make up
Dur quarre.? TO confess that We were
both in the wrong? | have bitterly
repented the hard words | sIid - you.
And you know now-you have kaown
for many months-that the tale told
you that night was true. Can you not
forgive me and let Us be friends?
Friends at least, if we can be nothing
more"
IL do not deserve even that, ;" she said
as she took his outstretch-
ed hand in both her own. Gregory,
my own dear love, | having nothing to
forgive. did you great wrong, and
should have acknowledged it long ago.
On, see my conduct in such q differ
ent light to-day. Indeed, it is | who
should seek forgiveness"
"There is no need" he whispered
lOyfully, as he drew her towards him
and kissed her growing cheek. "rhere
is no need, my darling. Helen, | loIe
you so dearly, am content to take you
as you are and wish for nothing more.
/ thank God with my whole heart for
the happy chance that has brought us
together"
Again some one opened the door and
Helen fled precipitately, leaving the
- Magazine at her lovers feet. He
picked it up and arranged its leaves
gratefully, for he knew it
was to the tender pleading of that lit
tie story that he owed his present hap
piness. ArgOsy.
Dream Language.
Horrible dReams indicate Il bad con-