Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-01-09


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power of discrimination never possessed
before
His eyes were unsealed, and he recoil-
ed from what he saw. The reckless ex-
ultation had gone as if brushed away by
hand Of ice. Only for a moment had
he dreamed Of what could never be.
Love was not enough since guilt walked
with IT,
he knew it now.
Love would die, and ambition and
truth, like white flowers poisoned in
khe noxious air Of swamp.
He knew it new.
Even to see Marian sometimes would
be impossible His good resolves would
die ignobly. He would become cen
temptible. his self respect be finally
murdered by his own acts, and this
something in his nature that upbraided
and reasoned now break loose, a wound
ed giant, and crush him. The wrench
must come at once and be complete. .
He sighed and for a moment closed
his eyes, What was that Mark had said
about conquering self? Was there life
before him still where he might stand
alone, stanch, though tried, life apart
from Marian, but sweet for both with
the sweets of repentance?
No answer came, and as he remained
motionless, like man ON the lookout
waiting for sight of land, he saw
great vessel glide from wharf close at
hand. 1t crossed the path of light with
ponderous stateliness and slipped into
the shadows until it was but big,
black hulk stealing away with the tide
But, strangely enough, the ships de-
parture made desire potent and alb
sorbing start within him-the wish to
slip away into the shadows and begin
anew somewhere, q remorseful desire to
atone somehow, the first thought of self
sacrifice
Mark was going on the morrow. Oh,
that he had strength for such complete
self forgetfulness Mark was going on
the morrow, never to return.
An eagerness, an exaltation, brighten
ed his face. He could go with Mark if
he would. There was nothing to pre-
vent. Mark would be glad, he knew.
With his medical knowledge and skill
he could do much in the leper colony.
He could relieve and cheer, though cure
as yet was believed impossible.
The thought was overpowering. lit
came back again and again. To go with
Mark
But could he? What End his life So?
Renounce the ambition that whispered
of great things to his own glory still to
be done? Surrender everything he had
best loved to overcome himself? Sur
render love that had sweetness sosubtly
mixed with poison? And his young life
that only little while ago had prom
ised SO much, and his dreams that had
lain so warmly against his heart? Gould
he give up all and 60 to be nothing, ac-
cepting the bitterness of daily and
hourly expiation?
A groan of agony broke from him.
From the depths of his torn soul there
came cry:
"No. noH' and his hands knotted
themselves in the agony of the conflict
There was brightness all around, but
night within him.
After long while he looked up into
the moonlight with wild, dry eyes, But
it would not be for nothing. There was
surely triumph in giving all for 9TH
ers. If he gave his life, he gave ALL
Words he had heard somewhere came
back to him like voice through the
flooding light:
"To give ones life is better than
ones aims; to spend, be spent beyond
the gift of gold"
| Yes, he saw it all SO clearly now. A
quick breath came from his parted lips,
as if he had assembled to height where
the air was rarefed.
| How could he have failed to see the
truth before, how questioned it? That
way lay redemption. That sacrifice
promised peace.