The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-07
CHAPTER XXI.
SUNSHINE AND SHADOW.


Tipped, open-handed; scattering gold AM
jewels lavishly over forest and hedgerow
dancing with light feet across cleaning
stubble fields to the music of wavin.
boughs and rustling leaves.
Raoul, walking slowly down the grea
avenue one bright morning, paused t
contemplate his surroundings, and heaVeC
and impatient sigh This joyous au'
tumnal beauty, this glittering and jung
ling and merry-making of nature, jarreC
upon him; it was so out of keeping will
his life.
After a moment he went on, pausns
every now and then before certain fins
trees, which, after a critical survey, h
marked with croSS-cut into the bark.
You, too are doomed he said, and
in another moment the little white eros:
was Clipped out with fatal distinctive
ness On the rough bark. Yes, this tie;
must fall like the others, in spite OF its
countless associations, its friendly pres
ence must be exchanged for a few patty
gold pieces that would soon melt away
like ali the rest.
The cross was cut out clearly enough
yet Raoul still remained chiselling arc
polishing it, as though he meant to make
of it work of art. All at once he flung
the knife from him, and resting his fold
ed arms against the tree, sunk his head
on them despondently. He had sworn
should escape him, to live there while
he had q crust to cat, to die there when
even that should fail him; yet now it
seemed as though it had begun to slip
piecemeal through his fingers.
With his own hand he had marked cut
these trees for destruction. Was it the
beginning of the end?
AS he stood bordering the sound OF
rapid, dancing feet approached, and
Molly's voice rang out in little short &C.
static scraps of song.
She was quite close to Sauvigny before
she saw him, when she paused, painting
and laughing, in the midst Of a blaze of
sunshine which came striking down be-
meath the trees. Raoul could hardly hear
TO look at her. Though she had man
aged to convince him that she was not
pining for Castor, and, in consequence.
had removed one of his anXieties the
strain of what he now felt to be a false
position grew more painful every day.
He was afraid of Molly and her witch
cries. of himself and his weakness, dread
ing that at last, in spite of his resolu-
tions, his love might be betrayed.
After a moment, however, he again
glanced at the dazzling little figure, and
smiled.
You seem very happy he said.
81 think it is the sunshine" returned
Molly, alphabetically. at intoXicates me
sometimes. 1t is so lovely, you know"
After a silence Raoul turned abruptly,
and began to hunt about for the knife
which he had discarded a short time be-
fore. What had he to do with sunshine
and the sunny presence by his side?
They did but fill his heart with longing.
Something in his face, as he rose from
his STOPPING position touched Molly with
sudden pity.
What were these troubles that weighed
upon him so? Why did he not shake
them off and face his life anew Her
very compassion inclined her to be in
patient
ooh, why don't you try to be happy?',
she cried
Sauvigny wheeled around sharply and
looked at her. The sparkle had left her
eyes, and they were very soft and pity
ing; she was bending forward slightly,
and had clasped her hands, her whole eX
preston and attitude betokening earnest
ness, free from the slightest touch of
coquetry.
Raoul laughed out suddenly-a harsh.
bitter laugh Why did he not try to be
happy! he who felt within himself such
infinite capabilities of happincss-that
was the most maddening part of it-who
was obliged to struggle constantly, with
all his strength lest in spite OF every
obstacle he should be tempted to snatch
at it.
Il think, if you tried, you might en-
joy things little more" continued Mol
ly efficiently. IF it were only the
weather even. Why, a day like this
should make you glad to be alive"
With an effort he withdrew his eyes
from her and they fell on the little white
cross cut by his hand on the neighboring
tree. The cross! typical for all time of
suffering and renunciation had ne not
himself set its mark upon his lot? His
broad chest heaved. Glad to be ;tlivei
Oh, he was so weary of it all, so Tired
of suffering, and fighting and giving up,
always giving up.
I'VE differ, you see," ne sail, naskily
"a day like this, on the contrary, makes
me-wish 1 were dead!'
why do you talk like that?' said Mol
1y impulsively. Il know it is no business
of mine, but still am sure you do not
lock at matters in the right light. Of
course you have suffered q great deal:
can see that, though 1 don't know in
what way; but there are probably many
years before you yet. Why don't you
shake off your troubles, and resolve to
get the better of your ill-luck? After
all, man with a strong Will can more
or less master adverse circumstances.
and 1 am sure you have a strong will -
This was strange language for a young
lady to use TO her employer; but the girl
was too much excited to weigh her
words.
What does a strong will avail against
ones destiny?" returned Raoul, grimly.
LAS well tell convict that his physical
strength will enable him to get to the
end of his task before weaker men.
Hercules himself, on the treadmill, would
net have got through more work than
the puniest wretch that ever was con-
victed. Well, I have spent most of my
life on a sort of moral trea1mii' as soon
as l have trampled down one difficulty
another presents itself"
81 dare say some people would sing or
the treadmill if they got the chance
observed Molly. And, perhaps, If yor
wished, you might tighten your task by
setting about it in a more hopeful spirit
Especially, If your difficulties are only
money difficulties" she added in a lower
tone.
Raoul, ultra-susceptible where she was
concerned, imagined that she spoke con
temptuously, and responded with some
heat.
"Only money difficulties! You do not
know what poverty is, Miss Mackenzie
] don't mean decent, respectable, or.
binary poverty, which can hold up its
head, and, by pinching and struggling
pay its way. 1 mean degrading, disrepu
table poverty, which has to stoop to al
kinds of wretched shifts, and to submit
to every sort of indignity. 1 mean the
poverty that makes even an honest mar
appear to be fraudulent that brand!
him so that he dare not look his fellow.
in the face that debars him from every
thing which makes life worth living
Poverty Ike this brings trouble enough
with it; however, If the acknowledg
ment will make you think better of me
/ may tell you that 1 have other trouble.
too"
He shut up his knife with a sharp click
put it in his pocket, and abruptly walked
AIn1I ell IL