Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1899-11-03
LOVE ASTRIDE
4 BR00MSTICK.
clNr.NtEp From LAST WEEK.

CINT.NJED FROM LAST WEEK.
whispered, when the fire was growing
DINNER.
"Quite. may walk on
crutches in a year or two, but l shall
never be my own man again."
He looked up presently, and broke
into a laugh. "Why don't you say it's
Gods will, Hester? That it's done for
some wise purpose, and we must bow
to the DEGREES of Fate? Your tongues
not ready with these cut-and-dried con-
dolences."
Then, as she answered nothing, he
drew her close, till her head rested on
his shoulder and his cheek was laid On
hers.
"Do you know what it means? The
end of everything-the 'Finis' to a book
concluded in its second chapter.
And we only write once with the pen
dipped in our hearts blood; after that
we counterfeit the copy with flourishes
and red ink. Oh, Hester!"-
his voice was husky now-"our dreams
our hopes and dreams.
they're like a band of little children
drowning before our eyes, and we must
watch 'em sink because our hands are
tied"
He leaned his forehead on his clench-
ed fists, and sobs shook his frame.
Then Hester, kneeling beside him,
broke into bitter cry.
God isn't just He isn't just!" she
said.
Hush, dear. You're too good
It's we who are exactng We
expect Him to stop the earth revolving,
because of a little heartache."
Hester was crying. He stroked her
roughened hair.
"Dreamers, dreamers both. Two fan
ciful fools astride a broomstick.
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 fickered-
flickered, and died out-and the room
was left in darkness.
Then Hester, speaking passionately,
broke 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 it comes, we shall
shiver 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 selfishness called wis
dOm-everything that wrings the joy
and sweetness out of life. We're Door;
you're stricken; I'm weakly; so we've
no right to love; common-sense cries,
1 forbid it, Well, I've only one an.
swer-We do love. God put it 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
GCd set me at your side, and | won't
leave it, Murray swear | won't-till
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, hush!"
And no one could ever love you bet
ter, or take such care of you, as I
would. Peters, of course. is kind; he
likes you, and so he tries to under
stand, but 1 know! l 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 1 love
you! That's the difference"
And then she broke down, and lay
sobbng in his arms. And Arnott kissed
her, without speaking, his wet cheek
laid on hers.
you've tortured me, Hester"-the
quiet voice came presently out of the
shadOws-"but I've won the fight. 'Sh,
'sh, dear heart; don't cry!
What did you think of me? / was a
man. Hester. before was a cripple.
couldn't be less than one, even to gain
you"
The postman was going on his even
ing rounds. In his deep suffering and
great renunciation, Arnott yet found
his ears straining to catch the monoto-
nous "rat-tat." He bent down and
stroked the stricken head.
my poor girl! Life may have
held few prizes for you, but you're
not reduced to drawing a hopeless
blank like me-"
She lifted her face presently, and got
upon her feet.
81 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 mail resigning
the post which has been kept open for
me out yonder." His voice was very
gentle. Deprived of it, my income
would pay Peters's wages and keep me
in tobacco. You are a delicate, refined
woman. with the instinct to enjoy and
revel in the sunshine Well, into
the sunshine you shall go. II have to
take you by the shoulders and drive
you from my side"
She made final effort. "If 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"
"HesteT!"
What? Didn't you know It? Have
you never unders;ood?" She spoke
recklessly, excitedly, walking up and
down. why, it's been the one golden
prospect dangled before my eyes. To
escape my brilliant future, l practiced
for a nurse. My health broke down. I
tried land failed-again. And l wanted
so little-I wasn't greedy after all. Just
10 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 overmirthfully,
and is growing doubtful about the crop,
1,