The diamond drill., 1901-05-18

young and modest woman's life, had
become the guardian OF her honor and
in measure OF her future; and In a
mysterious way the divine sweetness
OF her soul had issued forth and en-
veloped him. In the chiaroscuro OF
the still room he could just determine
the outlines of her bed and upon it's
whiteness the outlines of her slender
figure. He was glad that she slept;
in that quiet falling asleep was for
him the finest tribute ever paid TO his
manhood. A glad. quick pulse leaped
from his heart as he realized this
truth, and the words OF the girls
mother. so artlessly repeated, came
back 10 him.
Then in the desert of his life n
stranger came before his tent and
asked for shelter. He 5ade him enter.
Why should not this scene be fixed
and real and lasting? Would IL be
possible? Would the girl some day
accept II as such, yielding still the
trust and tenderness she had brought
10 the counterfeit? Was she trusting
Brodnar? Or was she trusting him2
1
stinctively; and her little white hand
seemed TO steal forth 10 his again,
her arms 10 enfold him. What a
child she vast And yet--and yet
An irresistible impulse seized him TO
be near her, 10 touch her hand, her
hair, and 20 pass within the electric
radius Of her presence again, IL but
for moment. He was her guardian
whether she slept or awoke.
4 strange curiosity 10 be near
sleeping girl, 10 enter further into
her life and absorb the sweetness Of
it's innocence, possessed him. She
would not know, she would never
know. perhaps; and why should he
not snatch from fate this one brief
moment Of happiness? A doubt as
sailed him and brought hesitation;
but with an impatient gesture he
threw aside the hesitation. He would
not let even himself doubt himself.
And so he came and stood above the
sleeper, and presently, entranced, he
knceled and saw her lying there,
vague, dim and unrecognizable, but a
girl asleep. Her face was towards
him upon the pillow and one hand lay
upon the edge OF her bed. So quietly
did she sleep she seemed not to
breathe. He watched her until a
tremor shook him from head 10 foot.
and a never before experienced con-
fusion seized upon his mind Instinct
lively he leaned above her hand and
touched i with his lips lightly, rev
erently. She sighed and spoke his
name, and, overwhelmed with sudden
dismay, he would have withdrawn, but
she seized his arms and cried out:
Light! light" And then. broken
ly: "Oh sir. for the first time | am
II am-frigh He sank his
face beside her, overwhelmed with
shame.
tits hnlf-past three he said, brok-
enly; = must soon say farewell 70
YOU"
"oh, sir, will you not light the gas?"
Seeing that she still trembled, he
arose and went to his chair.
NO" he said, calmly. But sleep
on. ] shall not disturb YOU again,
And then presently she came, and,
kneeing in sudden abandon before
him placed her hands upon his shoul-
ders, her face close into his
u shall not let YOU leave me think
ing that do not trust you" she said
"Oh, sir. kiss me now, my hands, my
hair, my lips il you will. trust inn
pllcitlyl trust youy and
more, Il"
0CLtlI nL:ld 49,, !, -. i,.,.,,. ,,.,,,
you are sayingn lie covered bis face
with his hand
"Child! No, woman! You do not
understand; it is you who are the
child Listen. | was not asleep when
YOU struck match and turning your
face from me, looked at your watch
! was awake, and | saw your face in
the glass across the room.
You should not ("
1T was an accident. and thanked
God for il has given me "a living mem
ory Of The kindest friend since mother
died. II Is not the first time, for your
picture is in the Doctors office. lie
did not know that have hung over IL
fixing IL in my mind many many
times oh will You, will you say that
You wish 70 see me-? Have you no
wish To remember me?'
Remember you2 shall carry with
me forever the sound Of your voice.
the touch Of your hand, the perfume
~ every curl upon your head"
"But my facet VIII you look upon
that? | release you from all your
promises"
81 cannotl / cannotl"
"Oh, sir, think what IL will mean
TO me in all the lonely days 10 come,
the memory Of you and the conscious
ness that you carry in your heart
sometime the face Of the girl who"
1T must not be. Remember your
husbands honorl You promised 70
honor him. Is this the way2'
"My husband my husbandl" she
cried, half rising, 'you have said i'll"
"Francesi Francesl"
"Ah, Francesl Say il all, Frances,
my wife"
"Frances my wifetn A Dagxionate