The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-10-13

sAiVer IN ezlc and oar 81 oNE
lives. All, know" she sprang 70 her
feet and beAn pacing up and down
You're LOOKING prudence at ns-pru-
dsEcs AMI he sel6shasss called Wis
dor-AvsryA.Rg that wr.nss the Joy
and sweetness out OF lie. We're poor;
you're STRICKEN; In weakly; SO we've
no right to hove: common-senSe cries,
/ forbid III Well. I've only one an
sver-we &c love. God put Il IN our
hearts. Your doctors verdict csn't root
i out again II you're helpless, the
more need Q, ne You were lonely. 50
CD set ne AZ your side, and Nont
leave i. M-ray-I Svszr l Tont-ii!
you stop loving us OF drive me away
with b,ovs.' she vas down on he.
knees aS2in. ke- arms thrown around
hin.
NJ dear. NJ dear. don't put ne
from you JUS because your need OF ne
has grown ;ae s-ea;e-, 10 Re so little
hird-suct-yog shouldn't feel the care
Q; ne"
Hester. dearest. hush"
I"Ar6 no one could ever love you bet
~ o. take such care OF you, a.
Would. Peers o. course. IS kind: he
likes yo-. ant 50 lie tries 10 under.
stand but know, ! know everything
you think ant teei snd suher-yes, and
while sure-e: . ia you, would make
you fzusE-"
Hester. For coos SAKE"
Because he o1.y likes. AID / love
you. That's he difference.
And then she broke dewR, and lay
sob5ing il his arms. And Arnott kissed
her. without speaking. his wet cheek
laid on hers.
You've tortured re, Hester"-ths
quiet voice came presently cut Of the
ShadoEs-'>bu; I've wen The fight 'SA.
ST. dear hesrt: don't cry.
What did you think OF me- l was Q
man. Hester. before vas cripple. /
couldn't be less than one. even to gaia
you"
The pos;uian was going on his even
ing rounds. In his deep suffering and
great remuneration, Arnott yet found
his ears s:rsin!ng TO catch the nonoto-
nous "rzt-tat" He bent down and
stroked the stricken head.
Ny poor girl! Life may have
held few prizes for you. but you're
not reduced to drawing 4 hopeless
blank like NE"
She lifted her face presently. and SoS
upon her feet
u would rather have married you.
helpless as you are"
Her voice broke She walked over to
the fireplace. In the glass their blank
eyes met.
Hester"
She nodded to the blurred reflection.
Il wrote by to-day's mall resigning
the post which has been kept open for
me out yonder" His voice was very
gentle Deprived Of 1t, my income
would pay Peters's wages and keep me
in tobacco. You are delicate. refined
woman. with the instinct to enjoy and
revel IN the sunshine. Well, into
the sunshine you shall 20. II have to
take you by the shoulders and drive
you from my side
She made a Anal effort. III you drive
me from you, you drive me. most like
ly, into the arms OF another man."
What's that"
"Mr. Bevis Is hopeful Of winning
what you don't care to keep"
"Hester!"
What? Didn't you know It? Have
you never unders. oUd?" She spoke
recklessly, exctedly, walking up and
down. Why, It's been the one golden
prospect dangled before nay eyes. To
escape my brilliant future, l practiced
for nurse My health broke down. l
tried-and failed-again. And l wanted
so little-I wasn't greedy, after all. Just
20 earn my own living, to keep my self
respect But I've tried, and failed and
l acknowledge my defeat Oh, know
my place." She threw back her head
and laughed, not overmirthfully.
When Percy has sown his wild oats.
and is growing doubtful about the crop,
he will come to me again and offer to
settle down." She paused. Her man.
ner changed. She turned dimmed eyes
upon him. Murray"-passionate
"in loving you I've found my woman's
birthrIght II you threw me back upon
myself, you cheat me-show me Gods
best gift, battle nae in the glory of it,
each me what living means. and then
,aut me out In the darkness and tho
old. Murray"-his chin was
INK; she crspt a little nearer-"my
lear"
The door was pushed open by a sri-
ny.hand.
who stood upon the threshold.
II smSslsd Of parafaa. 30 did her
hands; she wiped them on her apron.
will the lady stay to supper with
bland aad heavy mila.
TANrs was pause. Then. NO" said
A1nCtt, speaking brusQuely In his suf-
fering. TIE lady's going. Hes
II. my dear. goodbye"
Hester picked UP hat and gloves and
walked toward the door, There she
stopped, tumbling with the hatpins.
The sympathetic maid went to her
assistance.
LET nae find the 'sads. NisA Y0
'andS Is tremblin'."
You'll let me come and see you
stimss?"-turning at the door.
NO"
You will be lonely. I should be 60
glad to comet"
Better not"
Then, surely, may write to you?
Letters might bring comfort"
Cold comfort, Hester. Ishould
only want-more."
There was silence in the room, bro
ken only by Hester's sobs.
God bless you, them" she muttered,
and, sobbing, stumbled out
God bless you" repeated Arnott-
but only the shadows heard.
Nine months later, Arnott, sitting
in his chair before the window, heard
the bells ring out from the church in
the neighboring square.
knock. Peters entered. He carried
some deep-red roses. "The-the cere
mony must be over, Sir They passed
some time ago."
1t was outi Uneasiness seized him