The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1897-08-20


only stay, and he was powerless to aid
her; and so, with her young heart full
of desolate bitterness, she turned to
face the world. Then came Lima
Merle's offer. gladly. eagerly accepted.
and in the quiet of her life she was
learning to forget, until he crossed her
path again. when there swept over hC-
the humiliating conviction that. spite
of treachery and deceit, she loved him
still. and that she must leave this
house ere her secret broke its bounds.
ere he reaped his last full tfiumph.
In vain when she told Miss Merle of
her resolution, for which she would as
sign no reason, did She seek to alter it.
Il must GO" had been her answer. Il
have so much to be thankful for. Do
not ask me to lessen the obligation by
trying To oppose me"
When from Miss Mcrle's lips the fol-
lowing morning Lennox Marvin heard
this decision. he turned to her with
fierce inquiry:
How happens it that young and
beautiful Miss Gore stands thus alone?
Let me tell you story, Miss Merle.
and ask your womanly sympathy.
Four years ago | loved this girl madiy,
desperately. Heaven help me, 1 love
her yet" In his eagerne:S the speaker
failed to note how deathly white his
listeners face had grown at these
words from the lips OF the man who
once had said he hoped she might be
spared the knowledge suffering brings;
had fallen the cruel truth which had
taught her sorrows first lesson, but,
with woman's pride and the strength
given i'll her need, she gave no further
sign, as he continued: One night, the
last time | saw her ere we met under
your roof, l had almost told my secret.
| thought my face had left me naught
to put in words. | thought she had
been glad to read therein the story.
After she left me and | still paced up
and down, thinking of the eyes which
had last looked into mine. and whose
wonderful violet depths | dreamed |
had penetrated, her father joined me
Whether he, too, had read my secret
and wished To spare me further 1 know
not, but he told me his daughters
hand was promised to her cousin; that
the dearest wish of his life was to se.
them united. | asked him if il were
with her consent. She is but a child
he answered, but she has always loved
him, and has never opposed my desire
The next week | sailed for Europe. OF
all that followed | heard nothing for
months OF her absolute marriage |
dreaded to learn the certainty. but you
may imagine my surprise " hen found
her under your roof on my return
found her regarding me with aversion
and hatred-even driven from the home
she had found with you, because at
times desecrated by my presence. Tell
her from me it shall not be So. but that
once again the wide sea shall roll be
tween Us. if she will but remain under
your protection, Good-by. Miss Merle.
Heaven bless you. ! leave her in your
care"
Ere she could find words to answer
he had gone out into the clear. fresh al.
.ilh haSty strides; lie put, as he hoped
The past forever behind him, until =
sound reached his cara sound which
made him stop as if turned TO stone
Only a horses hOofs daShing madlY
down the avenue! Only a riderIess
'orse flying past him! Miss Merle had
Old him Helen had gone to ride. He
had determined never to look on the
ace which had caused him such agony
again, Yet, with great anguish at his
heart, he now FASTENED onward. pray
..Ig only that once more he might he
hold her. free from scar or stain. On
and on, until by the roadside his quick
eye noted u something which made him.
strong man though he was, reel as if
iDtoNicated-a form which IaV as il
lad been thrown, in a disordered heap
no - L
and looked AT the fair, sweet face. with
its perfect beauty unmarried. but the
eyes yelled by lids which quivered not.
the mouth half apart. from which is
.ued no breath. \ great dread rose in
Lennon Marvin's heart. True. he
claspcd the one woman he had loved
to his breast. but it was only her life
less form. He rained mad kisses upon
cheek. lip and brow. called her the thou
sand names his heart had so often ST
lcntly uttered, implored for but one
little sign in answer, chafrd the cold
hands. brcathed his breath into the
parted mouth, until at last Il fluttcring
sigh escaped the lips; the eyes. looking
like vio.etS wet with dew. opened soft
" and met the gaze of the man who held
her. Yes. Helen, you are living power
less N ms arms whom you so hate. Spurn
me. scorn me if you Will; only let me
feel You I've; only let me know your
sweet form is somewhere on this wide
earth. and | viii not grieve YOU by my
presence. Why. oh, my darling-why
could you not love me u. who have
loved YOU all these years-who would
50 willingly lay down my life to win
one answering word of love"
The words burst from the mans
white lips almost unconsciously Was
she dreaming? Was it deaths waking?
In the eyes which met hers she read
only truth. and when stronger she
heard al the explanation of the past.
the mistake Of father who had not
known his child's heart. and her own
after error. She looked into Lennox
Narvin'S face with the sweet con nfidence
Of child shining through unbidden
tears. and the next moment her head
was drawn down to the heart which was
TO be her shelter forevermore.--N. Y.
Ledger.
Corned Beef Hash.
CnS coffee cupful of cooked corned
beef t-nopDpl fine two and "a half coffee