The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-12-25
MOTHERS LOVE AND OTHER LOVE
"a CHRISTMAS sroRx.

though he were about to experience @
relapse.
But why not at once confess what he
SO long denied to HIMSELF The ex-con-
rict almost at once fell in love with the
beautiful g!rl-nlore beautiful I'm face. In
form, in character, he thought. than
any he had ever known. In earlier
days he had longed 10 find his ideal of
woinanly goodness and beauty; every
woman he had known had been meas
ured by the standard which he had set
up and al had fallen short. And now
he had met this one and heart and
mind lold him she was better and more
beautiful than the ideal he had pictured,
But he had found her too late. Life
for him had ended when, In the hea of
passion, he had struck that blow three
years before which had sent the SOU of
a friend into eternity and burned the
mark of Cain deep into his own.
Yet at times he would give himself
up to glorious dreaming. He saw him
self standing before this fair woman.
pouring out MS story of manly love: h-
heard the reply hat aie his heart
swell with happiness and pride: he saw
her in his old home among the Virginia
hills. loving and caring for the aged
daughter of her old aGe.
Lut not often did he indulge in such
wild fancying. The terrible tragedy of
his life had cast over IL Il shadow which
seldom lifted. He loathcd himself when
ie could not regard with as much hor-
woma to share his life-and his shame
AS he did that of again raising his
hand against u brothers life.
1t was Christmas eve. Though too
far South to have what we OF n colder
.inat call CHRIS ma; weather, there
was I distinct chill in the air and he
breeze that rushed the wi.he ed leaves
was decidedly wintry; the ky was c ear
like 1t is when bending over a word
Sleeping benca,h a covering of snuH.
Kent was slowly stroll.ns through the
must so away. Though he had not
fully recovered. he could not stay long
eT and be tue 10 his reSo We not to tell
Mary Dunlap OF his love. Every sight
of her face, every word that fell from
her lips had well-nish proven a death
blow 10 his resolution TO keep sller. for
ever. Tonight he had stolen away and
fought out acne the supreme battle OF
his life-a bait e between Iesurrected
honor and the dearest desire the heart
of man can know.
My God! l must no,-I will not do
this thing. | swear III"
He had won. He was str!ding along
towards the house now-the Light OF de-
termination in his eye, hi: lips resolute-
" cohipieSAGu. re nad almost reach
ed the mansion. when he heard III!
name lightly spoken and looking up.
saw Mary Dunlop standing before him,
her beautiful face 6 canning in the
moonlight, her lips parted in a smile
as she came to his side.
"a few light remarks and then yield
ing TO n subtle. !rre, isttble impulse, a
mad desire to have this woman alon,
with him for one brief space before
plriing forever, he offered his arm, ano
turning, they started down the gray
walk. Neither spoke for a time. Then
Kent broke The silence.
Il am going away tomorrow"
He fell her give n ~convulsive start
and in the face up.ifted to his, saw
come a swift shadow Of sorrow. All!
in his excuse, be it said. he saw more
He saw that which made him TO forge,
his honor, his oath; TO forget all save
the dazzling ruth that the beautiful.
woman by his side loved him.
His arms were around her in an I'm.
slant and he drew her unres!sting form
close TO him. He scarcely spoke
Words were not needed. THE wild
beating of the heart of each, told tc
each its own stoLy.
At last. Mary lifted her head from
MS shoulder, and looking into his face
her every feature aglow wV.h love, said
II have loved ycu ever since I hay,
known you. Robert, and my creates
happiness VIII he in loving you and be.
ing loved by YOU forever"
Forever! The words brought hin
back TO h!mself-to the past-to the fu.
ture.
Great God! What had he done.
His arms fell from about her ana ht
drew away. Standing with bowed head
his face distorted as by physical pain
She did not speak, but could not com
p:ehend the sudden change in his man
ner.
1t was a minute before Kent spoke
His throat was parched. his voice wa.
hoarse and broken. He old her HI:
whole story. Without eXtenuation
without pleading, he the his
tory of his mad past years-told .hc
It's merited punishment.
like n statue Mary stood as he con
fesSed his shame. When he had finish
ed she continued to gaze at him wi !
eyes thai. saw not.
Then she sank upon the dead leave:
banked up at her feet ana buried he,
face in her hands. He made a step TO
wards her.
Don't" she moaned.
He stopped short and after regardinl
her a moment. turned and st!ode VI
the walk and into the house.
In a few minutes he returned. carry,
ing the bundle INC sick with which h,
had left the pri His head was cree
now and when he passed by Mary q:
she still crouched in the path. though
his feet almost tour ed her garments
he did not pause. or look down.
Mary did no. lift her head. Sht
heard the sound of his footsteps grow