Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1900-07-12
SIX YEARS LOST.
A Woman Who Did Not Know the
Strength Of Her Love,

"What would we live on, MAXI laugh
ed Sydney Vernon, glancing down at her
elegant morning dress, with the pretty
slipper just peeping from beneath its
hem. Its all very well to eschew the
practicabilities of life, but they are some-
what necessary. for all that, and have
never seen any great evidence of econo-
my on your part, and ! am quite sure
you have not on mine"
Max Bayard tugged impatiently at his
mustache as the girl whom a moment
before he had asked to be his wife thus
answered him.
He had known her long enough to-
learn to love her with all the strength of
his great heart, to worship her beauty,
to follow her constantly with his eyes,
knowing but one wish, one hope, that she
might be his.
And she fancied, not altogether wrong
ly, that his love had met some return.
Her eyes had frightened at his coming,
her voice had learned to welcome him,
until he felt he must end suspense and
gain some assurance; the more so that a
Mr.. Clayton had lately come upon the
scene, a rich and childless widower, who
evidently looked with favor upon the
her aunt, under whose care she was. If
not the young lady herself. looked upon
with favor in return.
Il have never had an incentive to econ
omy," Max said in answer. 81 have
enough to live on and feed my horses,
though my tailor's bill does trouble me
now and then, confess; but, Sydney,
will change all that, dear. | can't per
haps give you all the luxuries TO which
you are accustomed, but you shall not
lack for comforts, that promise you"
1--WE should be miserable, Max, miser-
able, both you and l." the girl answered
bitterly. I'VE have not either of US been
reared In school of poverty. / would
cry for cake, while you could only give
me bread, and you for ale, while could
give you only kisses. Come, be sensible,
and let us be good friends"
Friends? Never!" be exclaimed. 81
am starving, and you throw me a stone.
Look into my eyes, Sydney, straight and
true, and say you do not love me, and
viii go away and trouble you no more"
The long lashes dropped low on her
cheek.
81 cannot quite say that" she an
swered, ''but | will say more. / prom
wife within six months"
Max Bayard's handsome face grew
white to the very lips. A look of deadly
anger, mingled with something like loath-
ing, crept into it. Sydney shrank from it
as from blow.
Don't. Max, don'tr' she cried. 81
couldn't help it. am very sorry"
"You could not help It! You are very
ao kaI .l1
not help what? Toying with me for your
amusement-playing fast and loose with
your victim or selling yourself to the
highest bidder? WhichG You are very
sorry for whom? For the man you led
on?"
With these words be turned and left
her sitting on the sands, the ocean max
ing its low moan at her feet
'Oh, if it would come on and on and
swallow me upr' she walled in echo. 81
love him, love him! Max, you are
right; the man ! propose to marry does
deserve the pity. But you-oh. my love,
you might have spared me your hate!
did it for the best-I did it for the best
Six years had passed-six years fraughi
indeed with change.
IF she had been but true to herself
and me-" Max Rayard had thought when
but a few months after the event which
had driven him from his native land to
find forgetfulness In travel letter had
been put into his hand which had fol
lowed him from port to port. announcing
that he had fallen heir to a fortune which
might have challenged Mr.. Clayton's in
its magnitude.
If only she had trusted me-" he said
bitterly again and again in the lonely
hours Of the night. despising himself that
he could not learn to hate her.
A year afterward he married. His wife
was very young and very lovely. but there
were depths in his nature that her hand
never stirred. and even as she lay with
her head pillowed on his breast another
haunting face would come between and
mid the caressing murmur of her words
would sound the echo of the "might have
been"
But he loved her very dearly and
mourned her very truly when, one short
year after their marriage, he laid her
away in her grave and took up the bur
den OF life again, with the added respon-
sibility Of the tiny infant daughter she
had left him.
"NVanted.-A lady TO superintend the
education OF little girl. Apply between
the hours of aud at -"
IL was in answer to this advertisement