The Goodland republic., 1897-08-06

4S4En 10y II was N county
village that I met her. / was visiting
some distant relatives. She was poor.
bat what cared I for that2 by own for
tune was sufficient TO give her every
comfort, though I had not at that time
fallen heir 70 my fathers inheritance,
She wss young and beaHtiful and ]
thought she loved me. Wen, It Is the
old story; I need not fingeF on II. An
other came upon the scene, Ihad never
told her ofmy wealth or position; that
either could influence her I never
dreamed, and so one day I swoks to
learn tbat she had given her hand to
him whom she thought outbid me in
gold and glitter. Ibid not seek to unde-
eeive her. A strange, calm philosophy
took possession Of me, aad felt it was
best as it was, until one day. on taking
up the morning paper, I read the notice
Of her marriage. With the printed eyi-
denee Of her Perfdy in my hands, PHI
losoPhy and reason alike deserted me,
and the pent-up feeling within me
burst in an unrestFained tide. The
bleclness of death seemed to gather
round me, and for days and weeks
knew nothing in the grasp Of a fierce
fever, from which I struggled back to
life weak and wretched. but with
brain cleared from mist, which saw
things once more in their proper light.
Eight years passed. Meantime the
woman whom had loved was free. In
the first year Of her widowhood met
her-met her, as thought, calmly and
dispassionately, only to learn that I
dared not trust myself. Another two
years passed, and I yielded at last to her
eutreaties that we should meet again.
I found her as beautiful as Of yore, the
bloom on her cheeks as fresh, the light
in her eyes as bright; and yet, Kate, I
looked upon it an as one views the ra-
diant glitter Of the iceberg, which to
approach is death. Beside this glowing
fame, whose ferceness consumes Itself,
n pure, sweet light shed its iuster DER
my heart not 30 bright, notso brilliant,
but with a calm, increasing fame,
which felt could light my way to the
tomb, which made the dark recesses of
my heart open to the sunbeams which
disPelied forever the false glamour Of
my eyes, which"
"Ah, Kate, I was Just looking for you.
It Is too damp for you 10 be out child"
broke in Mrs. Harrison's voice. 81 viii
help entertain Mr.. Creighton for 9 lit
tie while. You had best go within"
Then, as the young girl turned and
left them, Maude Harrison stopped and
stood face to face with the man before
her.
what were you telling that girl,
may inquire? You seemed much in
terested."
Il shall be very happy to inform Mrs.
Harrison, but unfortunately the story
would be no new one to her ears. I
was telling her only Of boy who loved
a woman whom he deemed as true as
she was beautiful, whom he found as
false as the very fends which came to
mock his misery. An old recital! Do
you care to hear it?"
'Msx," and there creEt a wondrous
sweetness in the woman's tone, ST loved
you through it ali. True, I was false,
hut not to you. To you I was loyal,
but to him who called me wits, who
went to his death blessing me, who
smiled on me in dying, 10 him nv
whole life was lie! All, was false
indeed! Think you you alone suffered?
That I during these two long years Of
torture did not daily press the dagger
deeper into my heart? It was almost
more than I could bear, but God was
meTcifui, and ended it ere my strength
gave way"
Pardon me" and in the mans tone
was no answering softness. "Of the
man who called you wifs I care not to
speak. I have learned to look on him
without envy"
Cruel Do not know how little
deserve at your hands? Be generous,
Max; letms IN some way atonei"
DO you really wish It? Then let me
tell you. Out Of the ashes Of that past
love has sprung new and holier Aame.
We have both tried the past, Maude.
The might have been has gone forever,
but there is futurel Thank God for
that. / love the girl who iE under
your protection"
''stopl Not anotherword. You Who
have loved ms confess to love for her. a
child. You say it to try me; butlistsn.
There is no need. I glory in the love
I had for you; 1 know no shame In its
confession. Max, look into my eyes and
read there whatever wou will. %
Hush, Asudei Do not utter words
you may regret. Let the dead past
bury its dead. For a second time love
has bloomed in my heart and I speak
TOO soiemply not to mean ell I say.
Aaude-" but with white lips and gilt
teriHg eyes the woman swept past him
Into ths HOUSE.
Looking out from her window, Kate
stood thinking, wondering when Ehe
should hear ail the story which she felt
might mean so much, when with a
hustle Of dTapery her uncle's wife stood
beside her.
''Traitressi" broke from her white
lips. "You who have partskea Of my
bounty, only TO rob me ofaIlf held dear
On sarthi Did you not see how I loved
hira2 Yet what do such as you know
Of love?"
Then, era the astoniahed girl could
reply, a glimpse Of the truth betTsyinp
Itself 70 her, she fell fainting oa the
floor.
A month later and Max Creighton
ied his young and lovely bride to the
altar. shs never asked the SEQUEL 70
she story he told her on that summer
night. She knew. It ali in. the words
Saude Harrison had spoken when. re- /