The aegis & intelligencer., 1900-04-20

great many ambitious dreams. The mar
riage which looked to him so misty and
far away was to her very near reality.
She had selected Il girl of his rank for n
wife, when, 10, there came rumor that
struck her to the heart! Could it be that
Clarence was about to make q fool of
himself? She wrote Il letter to her son
In which she expressed perfect confidence
In his discretion and her assurance that
he would do nothing foolish or impru-
dent.
Mr.. Clarence's brow rs he read the ma
ternal cffusion was clouded with thought.
Where, in the name of common sense.
could there be any danger in u marriage
with such n charming girl as Rosalie
Ames? AS for the danger of her heart,
he wished he were a little surer of it. He
felt at that moment that his own was in
q much more pcrilous position than hers.
As HaNy walked that afternoon along
the broad road leading from his home he
was attracted by almost inarticulate
groans, and, looking a few yards into the
distance he saw q senselcss form lying in
his path, while n mad horse dashed fu-
riously down the road. As he drew near
er he thoroughly recognized the dark,
tasteful riding suit which he had seen
Dalton wear so often before. And, pass
ing from the clothing, his eyes rested up
OIL the face, pale as death, Of the uncon-
scious man.
Good and bad angels tugged at Harry s
soul for one moment In a mortal conflict.
What call had he to interfere in his be-
half? The sneering fop who had blighted
all his hopes! Let him stay there and
die. But in the next moment, forgetting
all but the welfare Of his fellow being,
he snatched off his overcoat and raised
Dalton's head and rested it upon it. Then
with frantic haste he summoned aid, and
all that skill and care could do was en-
Moved for the sufferers restoration.
Harry hung over him, pale and asonized.
the accusing voice ever ringing in his
ears "God forgive me-" he said, that
wicked delay"
At last signs of returning life were visi-
BILE, and ere long the physicians assured
| the watchers around that all was hope
| full. Rest and good nursing alone were
| needed.
AT this Harry quietly stole away and
resumed his walk. Wandering thus, quite
forgetful Of the outer world. he encoun-
| tered a well known form-Rosalie stood
| In his path, with her cheeks pallid. her
eyes swollen with weeping. She did not
seek to avoid him as she had often done
| of late, but seemed awaiting him to
speak. kIe took her hand. She did not
withdraw it. He felt that she knew all.
"Don't hate me-" he said. 81 deserve
no credit. l almost turned to leave him
for hatred and jealousy had possession OF
me, and if he had died / should have
been his murderer. But it was for YOU
Rosalie. l loved you so! For l have
saved him only to render certain the de-
struction of my own happiness"
Rosalie looked up at him with brim.
ming eyes II don't see why" she said
softly. II am sure that nobody wishes
to make you unhappy"
Now, ] cannot say whether this state
mcnt appears to you particularly lucid
but Harry was clever enough to under
stand it instantly. All the troubles, trial'
and misgivings Of the last few weeks dis
persed like mists before the sun, and con
tent took the place Of wretchsdness in
those two reunited hearts.
Clarence Dalton made a very stylish
best man at the wedding Of his preservcr
and, judging from his devoted manner t.
the maid of honor, l pronounce that h'
did not suffer irrcmcdiably from his loss
As for his mother, believe she blesse!
to this day the friendly accident thai
saved her darling from so terrible mis-
alliance.-Brooklyn Citizen.