The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-10-24


back to the ballroom, and claims Geral-
dine for a waltz.
Tho siren S spell is broken now. There
are no more stereoptioon views, although
the moons rays arc as soft and bright as
before. I can move and breathe but my
heart is heavy, and l should like to waep.
but cannot. I can think. feel as though
] have awakened from dream, and think
ing of the dream, connect it with later
events. Yes, remember that ball very
well. remember that Reginald and Ger
Rldine waltzed together, ard that after
ward as stood upon the balcony alone,
saw them standing by the fountain in the
moonlight. How tall and proud he looked
had no doubt that she loved him, but
feared marriage between them, yet knew
that she could not resist his pleading.
This belief received fullest confirmation
as her fair head dropped against his breast,
his arm encircled her, and their lips met
"a graceful picture in the moonlight. 1 saw
Reginald point up to the marble group at
the head of the fountain. Then, with his
arm still about her, they walked back to
the ballroom entrance.
That night she came to me as usual stto
tell me all that happened and with rap
ture beaming eyes said that she had prom
ised to be Reginald's bride. did not like
to wound her in any way, but could not
help telling her that first cousins should
not marry. She was not even alarmed.
Her eyes, So full of love, smiled into mine,
as she replied:
"God has always taught me what to do,
aunty, dear. I've always felt when things
were wrong. l have no such conscious
ness now. am SO full of happiness, SO
free from fear of anything-oh, dearest, I
cannot explain. I feel that everything
Reginald does is right. have no will but
his. I have lost myself completely. II you
are right in saying that should not mar
ry Reginald"-s laughed softly and joy
ously-"of course, though, you are mis-
taken-something must happen to prevent
it,
could have screamed in terror as she
uttered the last words, for strange pres
oience of evil came upon me, bringing
back wildly the memory of that other
time, ten years before, when as little
girl she lay in my arms. My face paled
and trembled SO that her attention was
attracted.
"Aunty, are you ills''
fNo"
"You are sopale You look frightened.
ST am frightened, dear, but 1t is foolish.
When you said that something would hap
pen to prevent your marriage if it were
wrong, had a sensation as Of something
terrible threatening us. 1t is nothing, of
course. am very foolish tonight
She laughed merrily. "Oh, aunty, your
nerves are not in good order. To think Of
being frightened at what I said. Why of
course, nothing is to prevent my being
Reginald's wife. do not even dream Of
such thing"
Certainly she did not. I saw her asleep
that night, and her face wore the happiest
Of smiles.
It is but few weeks since then--an age
to me. I think that more happiness than
falls to the lot of most people in life or
many years was theirs in that few weeks.
The smilr is still on Geraldines face.
saw it there an hour ago, as folded her
white hands on her quiet breast and
placed lilies about her. Reginald cannot
claim his bride after all. She was thrown
from a horse yesterday morning, fatally
injured. She recognized as both before she
died-Reginald, poor boy, and me. Love
shone in her eyes, but not the all yielding
love 1 had SO often feared for her, perfect
love, guided by heaven born wisdom.
"Reginald,,'' she whispered, "God has
interfered. He was not pleased at our be-
trothal. I understand all now. No-do not
speak-listen. 1t was not we'll. You have
always been SO brave in most things, now
you will learn that there Is greater cour-
age than you have ever known before-the
courage to live and suffer, to subdue your
rebellious heart, to think of God before
yourself. No--listen still. Ihave--so-lit-
tie time. You must be Drawer and stron-
ger than you've ever been, but for Gods
sake-not your own. You shall do this
kiss me now, darling
cannot dwell on that parting between
them. I do not wish to see ever again such
grief as Reginald's. feared for his rea-
son. Geraldine claimed him. The sudden
change in her amazed me. She was the
strong one, and he without will.
II wish I could bear all the pain for
you," she said after a pause to recover her
fast failing strength 81 will help you
even-when I'm gone. Remember, I shall
be-near you.
"Aunty, take care of Reginald" she
whispered, with her arms about my neck.
She closed her eyes and grew so still that I
believed life extinct. In a moment, how
ever, her lips moved to frame the word
"Goodby, % she stretched out her hand and
caught Reginald's, and as he brought his
face close to hers there was another faint
sound:
"Be brave And SO she died. Mrs. NJ.
Murray Wilson in Home Magazine.
Had No Use For 1t.