The Yale expositor., 1896-07-10

with joy-you love me, how can 1t be
your duty to give me up and marry an
other? o, Eleanor, dear Ellie, think Of
my lifelong devotion, my stern sacri-
flee, that refused to hear even single
word from you-my unceasing toll and
incredible exertion to fit myself to
stand in these doors suitor for your
hand, without blush of shame! To
have gained the long-prayed-for posi-
tion, to find my love returned, and yet
to lose you-have you thought how ter
rible doom it is for me? Can 1t be
duty that would crush our hearts in the
fulfillment?'
She wrung her hands.
"Forbear, o Walter-have pity on
my weakness! All last night | wres-
tied in my agony to see the right,
came out of the bitter waters calm in
self-renunciation, knowing 1t was my
duty to give you up. Neither your
grief nor my own anguish must drift
me away from the position l defined
then. Dear Walter, my childhood's
friend, my protector and comforter al
ways, help me now to be true to my own
convictions of right"
. There was a solemn pathos in her
tone-in her white face and imploring
eye-that rebuked Walters personal
grief.
Eleanor" said he, impetuously, eff
l could see any reason for tiff it were
not so contradictory to all my ideas Of
right would be wiling TO bear my
own pain to aid you"
, "Be sure must be well convinced Of
.he right of it ere peril your happiness
and mire. If you knew all you would
be the first to bid me God speed upon
my atoning sacrifice"
Walter was looking steadfastly into
the beautiful face. Coming suddenly
forward while lip and cheek paled be-
meath the intensity Of his emotion, he
held out his hand.
, ut is enough. / will bid you God
speed now. l renounce my hopes. Ellie
my Ellie, for whom have lived, and
striven, and hoped. will give you up,
even unto another's arms"
Lady Eleanor's head dropped forward
to his shoulder; her cold white cheek
touched his; her brown curls flung
their sunny ripples against his jetty
locks, while her quivering lips whis-
pered:
God bless you, Walter! 1t is pleas
ant now to think how short is earth
how enduring Heaven
He wrapped his arms around her,
pressed her passionately to his heart,
and then put her away. A step on the
threshold startled them. Lady Anna
bel stood within the doorway, her sad
glance wandering from one agitated
face to another. She was evidently
greatly moved, yet she came in with
her accustomed stately grace, and
greeted Walter with the usual saluta-
tion; then turning to her daughter,
she said mournfully:
II see how it is, my child you deceiv-
ed me last night, and my worst fears
when knew Mr.. Vernon had returned
are verified. see that you love each
other"
! No answer came. Eleanor turned
away her fearful face and Walter, his
sensitive spirit stung by the thought
that she would consider him as an in
terloper, raised his head in naughty ST.
lence.
J Eleanor. Eleanorv' came in a pite-
GUS voice. so full of yearning tender
ness it seemed to convulse the poor
girls heart. II asked no sacrifice OF
you. I should love and bless you still IL
you left me tonight to fly with the man
YOU love. Hear me solemnly declare l
dare not even advise you TO marry 9TH
er than him who holds YOUR heart. Go
and be happy, my child"
Walter bent forward joyously, but
Eleanor only shook her head.
"I know you do not ask it, mother.
but know II is right-it Is best, and II
will give you peace. Walter himself
has given me up, and blessed my effort"
Lady Annabel looked wildly frcm one
to the other as she faltered:
"But II you love each other, how can
he give you up, or you take yourself
from him."
The consciousness Of doing right
will enable us both to conquer our i'll
fated affection-will it not, Walter?"
Perplexed. grieved, heart-crushed,
Walter could not refuse the pleading
look in those blue eyes, and he answer
ed-"Yes."
What was his astonishment to see
Lady Annabel fall on her knees, and
catching her daughters hand, bathe 1t
with tears and dry 1t with kisses.
: my grand, heroic child! cried she
"Will Heaven permit such innocence
and worth to atone for the sin of 9TH
ers? will pray that your noble sacri-
fee may not be needed; and yet own,
IL 1t is completed, mothers eternal
gratitude will be yours. All, my own
Eleanor, your pure hand shall lift away
from me load of remorse, and carry
to another atonement for suffering and
loss. But 1t must be free and volunta-
ry-not from fear of my displeasure-
remember that"
She sank down into an easy chair and
raised handkerchief TO her face, while
a violent fit of coughing ensued. The