The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-12-07

my father is toll and a trouble.
though l would willingly bear it all
if 1 could keep you here near me-"
You can keep me here, and with
you. Why, what were my love worth
if it would not help you in your toll
and be glad to share your cares? Do
you think that being a man, have no
feelings but those that are selfish? !
tell you, Phoebe Dome, 1 am willing
to work for you, help you, love you,
in all ways that man can"
Il know it, but there are trials that
sour love; and a mans patience fails
before the many trials of another mans
whims, and then there comes the feel
ing that love has imposed on him bur-
dens he has no right to bear; and so
he broods and grows cold, and his love
dies; and 1 could not live if lost your
love"
The man stood silent. He was think
ing of her words and of her acts. She
loved him and was willing to lose that
love so that she should not bring him
care and toll. And he? Why, he was
about leaving her simply because she
would not marry him when he thought
she should. Well, he was willing to
take her, care and work included, if
she would come, and was not that
enough? No; for he forgot that he had
shown only impotence when she had
tried to reason with him, and was this
the way to show her that he could bear
the strain sick mans fancies would
entail?
She had forgotten this, but oh, he was
so willing to take her with it all, and
he loved her so, and to be put off when
his heart was crying for her love and
the power to call her wife. Then he
conquered his hot words and said, more
quietly:
Phoebe, l may have been wrong and
hasty in saying what l have, and in
starting away from Hardstone, but The
place is one to kill a man with work,
for which he gets no pay; and then to
have to put his love back, how far in
the future he knows not, is very hard.
See, am willing to stay here, knowing,
TOO, that in the west can have home
and comforts L cannot get here for
twice the toll. If you will marry me
am willing to take all it will bring,
of sorrow and i'll, so that you are my
wife. Is there more that d man can
do?"
There is no more, and l do not ask
you to do more; but will your love be so
strong that it can see me bestow care
and attention on another, when you
may desire my services? That is the
point, Obed, regarding which | have
hesitated. Oh, if L only knew" A
smile, calm and restful, stole over her
face.
AS she paused breath of sea air
came wandering up from the low lying
beach and seemed to linger about the
solitary tree. Then the bird that had
sought refuge in its branches broke
forth in a low song, that sounded like
a voice of hope and promise.
Would you be willing to stay here,
to put away the golden promise of the
west nnd bide the fancies of an in
valid, .cr this?" And she held out her
tGsl-marked hand.
He looked at her, and then his eyes
went wandering over the red hills to
where, afar off, mo1ltains covered
with green rose like wall against the
sky. And he thought: us the smile
and love of this woman, with toll and
poverty, worth the promise of peace
and rest, without it, in the distance hid
by those mountains?"
Then his soul called his eyes back
to her face, and he knew her love was
better, even with poverty to share it,
than the richest promise that lay be-
yond the mountains. So he took her
hand and said:
This is all to me, and, unless it can
go with me freely, will stay with it
here"
Was it fancy? 1t seemed that to both
of them a low voice whispered: 1T is
we'll" But around them was the glare
of the sun, and the red, glazing land,
and even the bird was still; yet the
word had been spoken, and, though it
was only a whisper, it gave them
strength.
He stopped and picked up his stick
and bundle, and together they walked
on toward her home. 1t was small cot
standing in the shadow of hill. A few
vines and bushes grew about it, and,
with a sickly green, strove to relieve
the sameness of the scene.
In the doorway, reclining in a
+ rough-built easychair, sat an old and
! feeble man. AS he saw them approach
he uttered peevish wish for them to
hurry.
She turned and looked at her lover.
He took her hand and, standing before
the sick man, said:
"Mr Dome, 1 have asked your daugh-
2 ter to be my wife. think that it is in
my power to help you both to rest and
, comfort. Are you willing to let me
t try?"
r A strange look came to the old mans
worn and care-lined face-a look of
!, trust and hope.
"Bless YOU" he said, feebly, extend
ing his hands. They took them in
theirs. A smile stole over the aged face,
= the eyes closed, the head sank on the