The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-10-18

AiNHNNA hbs VI ms iit oAAphtu hti
roughened hair.
"Dreamers, dreamers both. Two fan
elful fools astride a broomstlck.
A bump! and we're ON earth again,
with nothing but loneliness before us
all our days"
And the shadows heightened until
they encircled those quiet figures, and
the fires dying embers flckered-
iliekered, and died out--and the room
was left in darkness.
Then Hester, speaking passionately,
broke a long silence.
why should it end? Why need they
drown? Murray our hands are free
If we will help each other. Love Is so
sweet and life so hard! Unless we take
our sunshine when 1t comes, we shall
SILVER in cold and darkness all our
lives. All, | know!" She sprang to her
feet and began pacing up and down.
You're looking prudence at me--pru-
dence and the seltlshness called wis
dom everything that wrings the Joy
and sweetness out of life. We're poor;
you're stricken; I'm weakly; so we've
no right to love; common sense cries,
L forbid IT. Well, I've only one an.
swer-We do love. God put Il in our
hearts. Your doctors verdict can't root
1t out again. If you're helpless, the
more need of me. You were lonely, so
God set me at your side, and | won't
leave II. Murray swear | won't--tlll
You stop loving me or drive me away
with blows" She was down ON her
knees again, her arms thrown around
him.
MY dear, my dear, don't put me
from you just because your need of me
has grown the greater! I'd be so little
hindrance you shouldn't feel the care
OF me"
Hester. dearest, hushi"
And no ono could ever love you bet
ter, or take such care of you. as |
would. Peters. of course. Is kind: he
likes you. and so he tries to under
stand, but | know! | know everything
you think and feel and suffer yes, and
while suffered with you, would make
you laugh"
Hester! For Gods sake"
Because he only likes, and | love
YOU! That's the difference"
And then she broke down, and lay
sobbIng In his arms. And Arnutt Kissed
her, without speaking. his wet cheek
laid on hers.
you've tortured me. Hcster"-tho
quiet voice came presently out nf tho
shadows but I've won the fight. 'Sh,
'sh, dear heart don't eryl
What did you think OF me? | was
man. Hester, before | was a cripple.
couldn't be less than one, even to gain
yuu.
The pestman WIS going on his even
ing rounds. In his deep suffering aud
great remuneration, Arnntl yet found
his ears strainng to catch the monoto-
nous "rat=tat" lie bent down and
stroked the stricken head.
My pour girl! Life may have
held few prizes for you but you're
not reduced to drawing II hopeless
blank like me-
She lifted her face presently. and got
upon her feet.
u would rather have married you,
helpless AZ 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 tosday's mail resigning
the post which has been kept open for
gentle Deprived of It, my income
would pay Peters's wages and keep mo
in tobacco. You are delicate. refined
woman with the instinct to enjoy and
revel in the sunshine. Well, into
the sunshine You shall go, If I have to
take yon by the shoulders and drive
you from my side"
She made a final effort. "If You drive
me from you, you drive me- most like
ly, mo the arms of another man."
Whats that"
AIV Ia hnnnfnl nf In tpn
what you don't care to keep"
"1Iester!"
What? Didn't you know NJ Have
You never understood" She spoke
recllessly. excitedly, walking up and
down, why, It's been the one golden
prospect dangled before my eyes. To
escape my brilliant future, | practlced
for nurse My health broke down.
tried-and failed-again. And | wanted
so little wasn't greedy, after all. Just
20 earn my own living. to keep my self
respect. But I've tried. and failed. and
! acknowledge my defeat Oh, | know
my place." She threw back her head
and laughed, not Overmirthfuly
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 passlonatcly
"in loving you I've found my woman's
birthrlght. II you throw me back upon
myself, you cheat me-show me Gods
best gift, battle me In the glory Of it,
teach me what living means, and then
shut me out In the darkness and the
cold. Murray'-hi5 chin was
sunk; she ercpt little nearer-"my
dear
The door was pushed open by a gri-
my hand.
"rhe lamp" said Lena. the slavoy,
who stood upon the threshold.
1t smelled OF paraiiin. SO did her
hands; she wiped them ON her apron.
"Will the lady stay TO erg'-wlth
bland and heavy mile.
There was a pause. Then. mo" said
Arnott, speaking brusquely in his suf-
fering, the lady's going. Hes
ter, my dear, goodbye"
Hester picked up hat and gloves and
walked toward the door. There she
stopped, fumbling with the hapins
The sympathetic maid went TO her
assistance.
Let me find the 'eads, Miss. Yer
'ands Is trenholm"
you'll let me come and see you
sometlmes?"- turning al the door
NO"
you will be lonely. ! should be so
glad to comet"
Better not.
"Then, surely, ! may write to you?
Letters might bring comfort"
Cold comfort Hester. ] should
only want more"
There was silence in the room, bro
ken only by Testers sobs.
God bless you. then" 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.
A knock. Peters entered. He carried
some deep-red roses. "The-the cere-
mony must be over, Sir. They passed
some time ago"
II uae outi IIpaaeinoqq spizpd him