Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1896-04-03

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, glance round
hastily and, apparently under the be.
lief the room was untenanted, open the
piano and begin to 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 low.
ingly on every line of her beautiful,
calm face. How different was her ex.
preston now to when he had parted
from her! When, with scorn in her
voice and in angry CLEAN in her eyes,
she had hidden him go and never at
tempt TO see or speak to her again.
lie had loved her then-ah, never more
truly-and he loved her now with a
passionate longing that was more akin
to pain than to pleasure.
The sonata came 70 an end, and after
a short pause, she began to sing. OF
old it had ever been difficult to persuade
Helen to sing before anyone-evep 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 to him, but
the words, Goethe's "Nur wer die
Sehnsucht kermit, weiss was ich leide,"
he knew well. They might or might
not be an index to the state of the girl
heart, but they evidently touched her,
for presently, with something very like
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 perilously near 10
it, Manvers thought, remembering that
as 1t Too Late?" was the very last pa
per in the number.
And surely it was that very article
she was reading, for what other would
have called up such deep sigh, or filled
those sweet eyes with tears. 1t was
wrong, it was unmanly thus to watch
her, and her lover, feeling this to his
hearts core, had risen to ring for some
one to help him upstairs, when tht
reading-room door opened and lady
and gentleman came in.
Their entrance brought matters to
crisis. With natural Discrimination
to be found in tears, the girl rose hast
ly, made her way into the ante-roolf
and closed the door behind her.
When Helen found herself face tC
face with her discarded lover she stoot
transfxed. It seemed to her as if hel
own though is had called up the vi
sion. But her quick eyes soon noted
change in his appearance; how he wa
i'll and worn, his hair grizzled and thin
his step hating and uncertain; and sh'
saw it was the living man that stoot
before her. She tried to give hin
some commonplace greeting, but thu
words would not come. His Christian
name, softly breathed, was all silt
could bring her tongue to utter
He heard the word and it gave hin
courage.
~ have startled you, l fear" he DE
gan, hesitatingly. "Then you did no
know | was here?"
NO" she replied, and then paused.
81 have been laid up for weeks with
sprained ankle" he went on slowly. "
only left my room yesterday. cal
hardly move now without assistance
which must plead my excuse, Mis-
Blakemore, for my having remaine'
to listen to your music just now.
have not forgotten your dislike to SIM
before a stranger"
"a stranger" Did she repeat TIL
word, or was it his fancy? She shivere'
as if cold wind had passed over hel
and her book fell from her hand.
He glanced at it. All, if that poo
little story was ever to do good worI
: in this world, the time had surely com
now.
"A stranger" he resumed in tone
deep feeling, "by your wish, Helen-no
: mine. Dearest, my heart has neve
changed towards you and it never viii
Is it too late to make up our quarrel
to confess that we were both in tn
wrong? | have bitterly repented tn
hard words | said to you. And yo
/ know now you have known for man
months that the tale told you tina
night was true. CAN you not forgiv
me and let MS be friends? Friends a
least, if we can he nothing more"
' 'I do not deserve even that" she sal
| sorrowfully, asshe took his outstretche
!, hand in both her own. Gregory, m
$ own dear love, ] have nothing to fol
| give. ] did you great wrong, an
=, should have Acknowledged it long ag'
: Oh, | see my conduct in such differen
e light to-day. Indeed, it is who shoul
= seek forgiveness from YOU
: "1bere is no reed" he whispered JOY
fulIy rs he drew her towards him an
: kissed her glowing cheek. There
I no need, my darling, Helen, l Low
I YOU so dearly, | am content to take 20
S as you are and wish for nothing mor'
d / thank God with my whole heart fo
d the happy chance that has brought L
e together"
e Again some one opened the door an
a Helen fed prccip;tately, leaving tn
| I. j