New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-26
as difficult; there was no way out Of the

"A little time" he pleaded
The sound Of all approaching voice terminated
the trying interview. They recoshizeu ,he
suave and gentle tones.
my dear Cynthia said her mother. entering
Il have only just returned. Have you any :dea
of TIE tme?" she broke off. smiling. An. OF
course not did not know who was there;
The cordial greeting was followed by desuI,
tory conversation. to which Cynthia contripu'ed
monosy LA blcs til her tCrmented lover rose ana
took leave. She let him reach the conservatory
then flew to him. relenting, he hoped
Till tonight" she said. hurredly. ~ on must
let me know your decision by then. Remember'
nothing can alter mine. only claim my right.
But she added persuasvely. you can easily
decide now. Let me have my way. An 10
and end our first and last quarrel! 80
There was a subtle fondness in her tone, an
undennable power in her swift. upward glance
that swayed his wavering heart but the golden
token on his finger pressed him under her cHns-
ing hand, and he shook his head.
NO dear, such vow Is rot to he nghuy
broken | must earnestly consider your requeS,:
| wish you had asked me anything but TINS,
he went on. wistfully, seeking sympathy in her
soft, dark eyes
But Cynthia's tenderness had vanished. She
drew back piqued III at ease. in her supplant
attitude: an ominous frOwn dark her falr
forehead she turned away.
las YOU will she said. cOldly.
Memories that Cynthias presence had chased
for many months crowded wildly into the
widower's mind az he strolled on. needless Of din
and traffic or the direction to be pursued. Her
words Of anger and opposition had invested the
unthnkng gaze OF custom with new and start
ling significance. 1t simply riveted him to the
past He might discard 1t. still holding Its pur-
pose in his heart; but the thought was base
one; he knew that his dead wife would nave
borne sucn a vow to the gates of Heaven, ana
that no sacrifice would have abated the strength
and endurance of the love which he dared not
weigh with Cynthia's impulsive passion lie had
hardly dwelt on 1t since she had been taken from
him-at first because 1t meant hopeless heart
ache latterly because 1t seemed disloyal to MS
betrothed; but now. at this turning point. ne
realized his loss afresh and wondered that the
remembrance had faded ever SO little in the
radiance Of Cynthia's smiles.
Yet allegiance to the beloved dead meant the
facing of the old homeless life the return OF That
morbid depression which Cyntha,s infectious
gayety and pretty, petulant ways alone had had
power to disDel
Her obstinacy was inexplicaoe; his feeling in
the matter, the implied breach of honor. dld not
appeal to her in the least. she was consumed ny
a petty jealousy and a desire to make him Yield.
lurking doubt to the success Of the task ne
had set himself in endeavoring to mould her hght
and thoughtess spirit mingled with the keen
disappointment her inconsideratc conduct caused
him.
He had walked on dreaming. far beyond his
original destinatOn-the cosey set Of rooms pre-
sided over by his faithful valet suddenly ne
stopped, with an involuntary exclamation, lor ne
stood at the very threshold Of his ola nome
What impulse had led his unconscious footsteps
along the often traversed road he knew not, or
how he came to look upon the house ne had
stunned since the day of mourning. But having
come he was glad. for the wrench OF parting
was not the present pain: he was able 10 recall
the grim old mansions joyful, as well as s9r-
rowful associations. For the first time since his
bereavement he felt the desire and strength 10
seek the room within that had been hers IN
altered. as she had left it, til Cynthia. resoiu'e
in her Punishment Of rivalling recollectOns.
should carelessly scatter ana reaIrange.
The old housekeeper. startled from her lethargy
Of idle caretaking. answered his summons WIN
clumsy alacrity. and soon he stood AZ the ped
side where some years ago he had flung himself
in an agony OF grief and sobbed out last fare
well.
tained window. revealing the dainty FAMILIAR
furniture; the kn!ck-knacks they had purchased
together In odd corners Of the world; the pet
rres she had chosen: her favorie chair; the
couch which she had lain TO please HIM win
a thought Of recovery. He saw through mist
OF tears. for gnawing hunger had crept h'o
his heart in the chill and utter loneliness OF we
room once frightened by her dear presence. How
happy they had been. There was no death FOR
such a love as theirs. II walked and throb0ed IN
him again in this room. where she had breathed
out her blameless life. and all tina; had come be-
tween them seemed like dream.
Cynthia was right; he must always be making
useless comparisons for something must ever be
wanting IN his life-something that could not
be replaced.
His trimming eyes sought the spot where her
coffin had rested. He could see her now. lying
there as he had looked on her for the last time.
white and serene. her folded hands fun "
flowers: the eyes that had reflected his loving
gaze pitilessly sealed; "A strange smile on the
lips that often met his In yielding sweetness
All. if he might hear that low and gentle voice
again: If he might pillow that weary golden
head on his breast. ana. asking forgiveness Tor
feeing fancy, repeat his VOW with all the fervor
OF the past
He sat down. hiding his face in his hands
With the reopening Of this unhcaled wound came
revulson Of feeling rcproach for the seli-sought
forgetfulness his want of fOrtitude had made de-
sirable rernorse for the shrinking from pain
that made him sWerve from so dear a memory.
and for the wrong he did Cynthia In cngng 10
IT, But he hesitated no longer. The silent hour
OF retrospect had brought him very near 10 his
first love- and with the bitter ache OF longing
came strange sense Of security and rest.
Unchanged she awaited him. fair and lovely
as he had known her this dear angel, speaking
through the silence Of Heaven. t. hold him 10
his vcw.
For Cynthia he had no fears. That she had
been able TO make their engagement condi-
tional on this breach Of trust led him to hope its
dissolution would cause her little suffering.
A parting pang assailed him as he pcnncd the
brief message OF farewell dread Of the creep
ing gloomy years beyond which his brightest
hope beckOned. but he lifted the talisman That
welded him to his dead bride. pressing 1t softly
TO his lips and the shadow fed.
CYNTHIA crushed the note in her hand. She
was hurt: she was indignant: she was scOrnful;
a hundred sensations mingled with no thoughts
OF surrender, struggled for mastery In her swell
ing heart But the faint, unconfesscd regret
that stirred beneath the angry tumult. the feel
ing that lies so deep in souls that only
of love that will not be stiled-these were among
the Interest tears she shed.--(iida Newman, in
Madame.