Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-08-24


left the country for India, till at last
and said SO, telling her all his life
abroad seemed dream from which he
was just awakening. ''But 1 awoke
before it was light" he added, with a
sigh. Then Helen would make him
row his hardest, or would put rod
in his hand and with another herself
would challenge him to catch the first
trout. She would never let him dwell
on his trouble and did everything she
could to prevent him feeling his in
trinity.
But there was pain in a this, for
he felt his to be a manned life, and
incapable of ever being anything more
to woman than cause of tender
pity. Yet at times, when she was act
ing as his gentle guide, he would al
most hope that the pressure of her
hand OF the subtle shade of color in
her voice showed something more than
compassion.
Helen was one of those women who
seem predestined for happiness to
themselves and others. Thoughtful
Il
and remembered everything except a
slight or personal unkindness. These,
indeed, could be but few in number,
for, with her "cyes like the sea" and
heart as big, she disarmed all un-
friendliness, with the charm of
womanly grace and gracious woman
hood. Spite and sorrow lost them.
selves in the pure depths of her
nature.
And so time went on. They both
loved, yet neither would speak -one
of her womanliness, the other of his
manhood.
But one evening when they were
drifting alone i'll the boat, down the
loch, Helen, who had been watching
his face, could not help saying:
"What are you going to do after
you leave us?"
"God knows, Helen"
"You need some one to take care of
YOU"
No answer, but he was sobbing.
George, would you like me to take
care of you?"
"No, Helen that can't be-can't be.
l must bear my sorrow, snd spoil no
other life."
George, have you been happy
here?"
"Yes-wickedly happy! I oughtn't
to have stayed to realize it. -
81 have been very happy, too,
George. Will you not let me realize
it?"
"No, no, Helen, it would be un-
manly of me. 1t can't be. l love
you with all my soul, but the Offering
of my love would be contemplate
gift"
George, you said it would be un-
manly of you to offer me your love,
but don't You think it is harder for
me to have done an unwomanly thing
and asked you for it? Won't you
think of my happiness. I can't be
happy without you.
He was amazed to realize that she
loved him entirely for himself, and
the radiance of his face showed his
Joy.
Then Helen, taking his hand, said:
George, will you be my husband?"
And, with voice virbrating with tender
ness, and yet striving to assume a
tone of mischievous raillery, she
added: "You know it's leap year.
George-the woman's privilege Won I
you, George?"
Alas! | fear poor Georges scruples
had vaniseed, for lie showed no sign
of resistance as Helen drew him near
and kissed him, saying: "Now, George,
won't you answer"
And George answered.
And so it was settled that wedding
there should be, and every one was
happy over it. No one suggested that
Helen was throwing herself away for
in that household selfshness had little
place, and self-denial was looked on
as the royal road to and end of love.
If it were possible that their COM
panionship could have been closer
than before, of course it was SO now,
and as atfianced lovers they spent long
days whose brightness seemed threa-
tened by no cloud. Ard those days
were whole season Of Joy, yet they
were all too short.
Oue lateIui LuOruluS tuey Lux
walked far out, on the hills, when
they were overtaken by storm, and
took shelter under the lee of some
frs, and waited for it to pass by.
Hand-in-hand they listened to the
thunder and the mad music of the
wind. Helen, fearless as she was
gentle, rejoiced in the sight, and when
there was one specially glaring fork of
lightning cried:
WASN'T that grand?" And then
recollecting, and pressing Georges 5
hand closer: sob, George, Pm so
sorry! I'd give my life if you could
see!"
AS she spoke there came another
awful flash and crash of thunder and
both fell to the ground beside splin-
tered fir.
George srose almost at once from
his numbness, rubbing his eyes. Then
he staggered and eau ght his breath.
/ Tba,, Iva cbn,fa1 wi 1lv. ssT oon Sao