The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1896-07-31

,orhed in the music that he was able

Sorbed IN the music that he was aDle,
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 dwclt 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 an angry CLEAN In her eyes,
she had hidden him go and never at
tempt TO see or speak to her again.
He had loved her then-ah, never more
truly-and he loved her now with O
passionate longing that was more akin
to pain than to pleasure
The sonata came to an end, and after
O short pause, she began to sing. OF
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 to him, but
the words, Goethe's "Nur wer die
Sehnsucht kennt, weiss was ich leide, y
he knew we'll. They might or might
not be an index to the state of the girls
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 On
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
SIS 1t Too Late2" 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 a deep sigh. or filled
those sweet eyes with tears. 1t was
wrong, 1t 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 the
reading-room door opened and q lady
and gentleman came in
Their entrance brought matters to
crisis. With @ natural disinclination
to be found in tears, the girl rose hast
lily, made her way into the ante-rooIa
and closed the door behind her.
When Helen found herself face to
face with her discarded lover she stood
transfixed. 1t seemed to her as If her
own thoughts had called up the VIZ
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 1t 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
sprained ankle," he went on slowly. II
only left my room yesterday. I can
hardly move now without assistance,
which must plead my excuse, Miss
Blakemore, for my having remained
to listen to your music just now.
have not forgotten your dislike to sing
before stranger"
IA stranger" Did she repeat the
word, or was 1t his fancy? She shivered
as If cold wind had passed over her,
and her book fell from her hand.
He glanced at 1t. All, If that poor
little story was ever TO do O good work
in this world, the time had surely come
now.
"A stranger" ne resumed in tone of
deep feeling, "by your wish, Helen-not
mine. Dearest, my heart has never
changed towards you and 1t never will.
Is 1t too late to make up our quarrel?
TO confess that we were both in the
wrong? have bitterly repented the
hard words I said to you. And you
know now--you have known 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 cnn be nothing more"
II do not deserve even that" she said
sorrowfully, as she took his outstretched
hand In both her own. Gregory, my
own dear love, have nothing to for
give. I did you a great wrong, and
should have acknowledged 1t long ago.
oh, see my conduct in such different
light to-day. Indeed, 1t is Iwho should
seek forgiveness from YOU" :.
There Is no need" he whispered Joy
fully, MS he drew her towards him and
kissed her glowing cheek. ''There Is
no need, my darling. Helen, love
you SO dearly, am content to take you
as you IRE and wish for nothing more.
thank God with my whole heart for
the happy chance that has brought us
together"
Again some oncopened the door and
Helen fed prccipi,ately, leaving the
- Magazine at her lovers feet He
picked it up and arranged its leaves
carefully, gratefully, for he knew it
was to the tender pleading of that lit
tie story that he owed his present happi-
ness.--London Argosy.
Tha Nouaa ne Q0RA E1u%<~w