The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-21
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THE VICTORY OF MAJOR ARNOTT.



TRANSPORTED with the passion OF pity she
denied. That's not the reason. It's just
because love you-love you, dear" Then
bending low she kissed him on the lips.
And the bath-ehalr man sat blinking in
the sun.
Bevis had his answer and he didn't like
1t. (They were back In town now-Bevis.
ami his aunt. and Hester.) So Percy's
visits ceased, and his aunt was very wToth.
As for Hester, these were scourges lightly
borne. In dingy house in dreary square
close by she found the antidOte to worry
and cold-shoulder.
Major Arnott and his man were installed
in Furnished rooms" Bare, unlovely as
they were. the time she spent there. the
one golden hour stolen from the dreaTy
twenty four transformed that FIRST Hoor
front" into something like a paradise--ior
two pairs OF eyes. at least. (Perhaps Pet
ers. assigned an attic with a sloping roof
might, of the bumps upon his heaG. tell
different tale: but Peters opinion was
not asked.)
1t was this said Peters whom Hester
encountered upon the stairs one evening
stopped TO question.
You've returned" she said-rather
needlessly. OF course.
He admitted so much. with caution.
When she would have questioned him,
he rushed into a description Of the Private
Nursing Home. its inmates and the Incl
dents attendant on their detention in 1t
during the last seven days.
Her face sharpened with anxiety.
What was the Doctors verdict, Pc
tiers? | would rather know"
Peters avoided her eye-and a direct
answer.
My masters expecting you was al be
said. and she passed on upstairs with 4
sinking heart.
On the couch by the window ATnott was
lying. the invalid chair wheeled into a cor
ner out OF sight. Something in his attitude
"a logged squaring of the shoulders, an
indeflnable rebelliOn-struck her at once.
and the pathos OF it, the ineongruify be-
tween the man and his fate. gripped her
by the heart Her lips stiffened little.
She moistened them, then went and kneit
beside him.
Never mind" she said unsteadily; sit
it can't be helped"
But as his arms went around her, she
turned her face to his breast. and the
shadows falling around them, screened and
shut them In. so that their tears were hid
den. even from each other.
rs it quite hopeless. them" she whis-
pered. when tta fire was growing DINNER.
Quite. l may walk on crutches in a
year or two, but 1 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 de-
cree OF Fate? Your tongues not ready
with these ctit-and dried condolences
Then, as she answered nothing, he drew
her close. till her head rested on his
shoulders and his cheek was laid on hers.
DO you know what it means? The end
of eyerything-the FINS to book con-
cluded in its second chapter. And We only
write once with the pen dipped in our
hearts blood: after that we counterfeit
the copy with hourishes and red ink Oh,
Hesterl"-his voice was husky now-'0ur
dresms-our hopes and dreams. they're like
a band Of little children drowning before
our eyes. and We must watch EN- sink be-
cause our hands are ted
He leaned his forehead on his clenched
fists. and sobs shook his frame. Then Hes
ter. kneeling beside him. broke into a Bit
ter cry.
God isn't just! He isn't iust," she
said.
Hush. dear You're too good It's We
WHO are tNdtIlnR. we expect HIM 10 Sup
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 bruomstick. A
bump and we're on earth again. with 10th
ing but loneliness before us all our days"
And the shadows heightened until they
eneircled those quiet figures. and the fires
dying embers 1lckered-fiickered. and died
out-and the room was left in darkness.
Then Hester. speaking passionately.
broke long silence.
why should 1t end? Why need they
drown? Murray. our hands are free if we
and life so hard, Unless We take our sun
shine when it comes. We shall shiver in
cold and darkness all our lives. All. 1
know" She sprang to her feet and began
pacing up and down. You're looking pru-
dence at me-prudenee and the selfishness
called wisdom-everything that wrings the
joy and sweetness out OF life. We're poor,
you're stricken; I'm weakly; so we've no
right to love. Common sense cries. I for
bid it, Well I've only one answer-We
do love. God put It in our hearts. Your
Doctors verdict can't root it out again.
II you're helpless, the more need Of me.
l gu were lOneiy. SO GOu SET me dl our
side. and | won't leave il. Murray swear
won't until youu 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 hind
shouldn't feel the care OF
ne"
Hester. dearest. hush,"
And no one could ever love you bet
ter, or take such care Of you as would. |
Peters. OF course. is kind; he likes you
and so he tries to understand. but l knowl
| know everything you think and feel and
sufler-yes, and while | suffered with you,
| would make you laugh
Hester, For Gods sake"
Because he only likes, and love |
you-! That's the difference
And then she broke down and lay Sob
bling in his arms. And Arnott kissed her.
without speaking. his wet cheek laid on |
hers.
You've tortured me. Hester"-the quiet !
rolce came presently out Of the shadows |
but I've won the fight. 'Sh. 'sh, dear |
leart; don't cry, What did you |
think of me? | was man. Hester. before |
/ was n cripple, | couldn't be less than |
1ne, even to gain you."-London Sketch.