Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1900-05-17

| ervtnlng else. nau never tnOugnt VI
any barrier between us. / had never
thought Of David. tender and gentle
always, as being in the way of our hap
piness. 1 was wild with delight. 1t
was like the coming Of spring after tle
winter death. And David thought 1t
was the medicine the stranger had CIV
en- him for me-
She smiled archly but he looked down
at her with folded arms and miserable
eyes.
If you had waited he SAID; and his
low, even voice was like the pltiless
voice of the March wind wailing down
the mountain.
But, Reuben, I thought you were
, dead. she pleaded, pressing her little
hands together on her bosom and lifting
her white face to him.
And what was little change like
death to you and me, Margery?'he asked
looking down, his face drawn with pain.
'Ah, what! she whispered with eager
sudden Joy beaming in her face. What
is anything now that we are together
And still he stood with close folded
arms. When you so much as smiled
on another man it was like a dagger in
my heart, Margery, and went away to
be sure forever that you were mine,
mine. You gave yourself to another
man, Margery, and you had promised,
living or dead, In this world, in all
worlds, forever and ever, and you
forgot
Forgot? No, l died, Reuben, I died.
1t was only frail body that moved.
My soul was gone from me, wailing
somewhere for you
ut still remains that you were not
true
DO you blame me, Reuben?
u dare not judge you but have lost
YOU
Mot that. Here l am free, free, and
| am yours, foreyer."
But be looked at her with bowed head
and folded arms and his face was like
the face of one who has seen heaven and
found himself shut away.
Reuben! She fell on her knees be-
fore him, clasping her little hands high
above her head. Listen while l tell
you. have given my soul for you, the
soul grandfather taught us to value be-
yond all else. In earth or heaven want
only you and l have given my soul for
you. Smile, Reuben, and tell me that
you love Inc. Open your arms and fold
me to your heart. Kiss me, Reuben,
and l shall not miss the joys of heaven.
You will not? You doubt me stilR Then
l must tell you. 1t seems to you that |
was false. Reuben,I was more than true
She was kneeling still and the sweet
perfume of the crushed arbutus flowers
rose like a sort Of incense. Her hands
were pressed against her heaving breast
and her face transfgured and glorifed
with seifsacrifcing love, was turned up
toward him.
Reuben, l told you of the stranger
who brought the news that gave me life
He stayed the night with us and hurried
on to catch the train at the station
across the mountain.
When he was gone passed through
the room where he and David had slept
and l saw on the table tiny pistol. l
can't tell you why | should have been
attracted by it, but I was, and when l
had looked it over l dropped it into a
drawer.
The house oppressed me. I wanted
room for my great joy, so went up tie
mountain singing and waiying my hands
almost daft with happiness and never
thinking Of David who stood between.
When went homo David was telling a
neighbor how the stranger had lost his
pistol and came back for it only to de-
eide that he must have lost it along the
way and that he would give it up for
the sake of catching his train. 1t seemed
so trivial thing beside the glory that
enveloped me that passed the men
without saying that I had found the
pistol.
Two weeks passed and all the time l
was walking about the mountains too
glad to speak or to need anyone. 1t was
one rainy day that | remained in the
cabin and heard David and a neighbor
talking.
''And what will Reuben say when be
finds that you have taken Margery away
from himT the man was saying. That
was all I heard and it shut the gate of
heaven from me because it separated me
from YOU
She pushed back her hair with little
frightened, childish gesture, and the sun
shine, sitting through the spring foliage