The Monitor-register., 1897-05-21

And we, who had always been together,
were parted forever nowl
l stood alone 10 the world. God helI
the poor woman who has that to say oil
herself, and with a woman's precarious
chances of earning an honest livelihood.
But, | was fortunate in finding a friend,
and just at the blacklist hour of my night
(the hour before the d~ay-dawp), just
when my heart had failed me, and desc.
late and alone l felt hedged in by all the
p~itiless world, a kind hand was stretched
out to save me from despair. An old time
friend of my father offered me the charge
of a circulating library, and, too thankful
for words. | wrung his hand in gratitude,
and turned my face 10 the direction of my
work.
1t was in the beginning of winter, and
glad was l of the employment which
would secure me from want during that
Indictment season, and l was ready for the
hardest, most irksome task.
Mr.. Lee, my employer, was a genial old
gentlemen, a perfect shook, worm, and
soon found ms labors en- crossing .
Among books l could not be very lonely;
and so the days wore away, and at last l
! grew quietly happy.
Some three years had elapsed since my
mothers death, when one day, going into
an unused room, l stumbled oyer a small
wooden box.
"Bless meP' exclaimed Mr.. Lee, ssh
there isn't that box of second hand books
which purchased two weeks ago! They
comprise some valuable works, and are
worth something's
SO saying, he removed the lid from the
box. L assisted him in asserting the
contents. Almost the first volume |
touched was a copy of Longfellow's
poems, with Roger Dermott's name on
the hy-leaf. Well did l remember the
book-which he had sent me the day be-
fore he had sailed for the Indies.
AS l opened it, a folded pape futtered
from between the leaves to the floor, 1t
was a letter addressed to me, in Rogers
well-remembered hand. Trembling like
a leaf, l read these words
DARLING MARIAN Forgive me if
do not come as early as usual tonight.
Lutte Milly Dean has begged me to do
her a favor. The poor girl has a lover, an
honest, steady fellow, but her father, who
is a hard hearted old man, is opposed to
the marriage and, as l have some infu-
ence with him, l nave consented to try
and induce him to consent. 1 send this
note, darling, with the copy of Longfel.
low that | promised you. Please await
patiently the coming of your ROGER
The spring sunlight stole into the little
room where | sat, staring my own mad
folly in the face. Bowling my head upon
my clasped hands, l wept tears of bitter
grief. So We were separated forever, and
l., in my mad blindness, had done it all.
Two weeks later, l came back to the old
home by the sea. Almost the first person
met was Roger Dermott, who had Just
returned from his voyage. l went swift :
ly up to him, and sturdily trampling my
pride under foot, in a low, trembling
voice, l told him the whole story, and
begged him to forgive me.
Standing there in the sunset, with the
waves of old ocean at our feet, Roger took
my hand in his.
Darling" he said, softly, ''of course
you are forgiven. Be my wife at onctF
and never doubt me again, Marian, never
while you live P'
And standing there together, a happy
faith and trust crept into our hear s.