The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1901-04-11

minute, IutH ue Sd4N.
Il honor you. Miss Ellet, as I honor
my mothers memory. For you. and
for any dear to you, 1 would do any
thing
He would not hurt her by refusing
to keep the watch "as security and
she could not see how tenderly he
kissed it before locking it in the safe
in his desk-for she was standing by
Leland Forsyth and looking him quiet
~ in the face, as she said:
Here is the money. Lee. As for the
half OF it that was mine, I never wish
it again. The balance you will pay
some time. [ must go now. Good-by,
Lee!"
She meant something more than an
everyday good-by. and the young man
knew it.
He took eagerly the hand she extend
ed, and drew her a little nearer to him.
But she released herself presently, and
stood looking at the spray OF the foun
tain, seeing only the splendor of a
dream. and the vastness of it all.
at was a sweet, sweet life but it is
over now" she said, as if talking to
her heart.
What is over, Mollic?' asked For
syth.
Every thing-between you and me-
she answered, lifting her eyes that had
only sorrow in them-sorrow, and a
deep deep Pain
Forsyth's face blazed with anger.
go" he hissed Selling her by the
shoulder and pressing his fingers hard
into the tender flesh. "It means that,
does it? l might have known better
than to have trusted a beautiful face.
But really, he got you cheap"
If Leland Forsyth could have had
his words back by the loss of his right
hand, he would have suffered that loss
gladly. Half drunken though he was,
he knew that nothing could henceforth
bridge the awful gulf he himself had
fixed between his life and hers: and
the knowledge took his strength away.
He sank upon the basins rim and
bowed his head in his hands, shiyering
from head to feet.
fSte lDOhbl Ut ulIl IOI a LIOllItill, tLC
saints scorn" on her face fading out.
and leaving only pity there. Then she
turned, and ent through the sunshine
and the singing of birds 10 her work,
that had in it Low no hope Of anything
fair and sweet-no couleur de rose of
Iove-no anything but the peace that
must 90 hand-in-hand with duty.
Six months later she redeemed her
watch.
She had worked so hard to do this,
She had gone without the actual com
forts Of life that she might meet the
obligation when it became due-for she
guessed rightly that no help would
come to her from Forsyth, and she had
grown thin and pale, and weak.
Godfrey Blake had noted ali this,
but a seal was on his lips He could
not tell his love TO the promised wife
of another though it wrung his heart
to see the changes wrought by a few
brief months; and his voice was
choked with tears when he said:
and when am 1 to congratulate
Forsyth" He did not say you" He
could not be false TO his convictions
even in so slight a thing; and he knew
that Mary Ellet's marriage with For
syth would be, so far as she was con-
cerned, no subject for congratulation.
"When he makes himself worthy the
love of good woman's life" she said,
quietly.
DO you mean" be began, eager
Iy.
Il mean that for six months 1 have
not seen him. l shall never see him
again! The old dream is ended! Do
not mention it any more; but do not
blame himw
Her voice was low and even; her
cyelids were dropped, She did not see
the man cover his face with his hands
to hid his joy. nor the light there when
the hands had sought her own.
"Mollier he said, and something in
his voice assured her of what she was
to hear. "Mollie.
If it might be
Appointed unto me
God knows how sweet to me-
To plunge into the sharp surprise
OF burning battles, blood and cries,
And face the bittereSt fire for you,
And fight the deadly fight for two!'
1 think 1 should be happier than any
other man on earth! 1 have loved you
long time. Mollie, but could not say
so until now, because you were not
Free 1 thought. Look up, dear one, and
tell me 1 may make all your life
smooth and sweet hencefOrth! Look
up, and say you will be my wife-my
honored, worshiped wife,"
She did look up''-how could she
help it?-and in an instant her head
was held close to the bosom that was
to be its refuge evermore, and her hap
Ply tears We're falling like the quick
rain outside; and all her life was
budded for its poisoning; and a rain
bow SPAWNED the heaven oil her new
born hope; and God had not forgotten
to be gracious!
So she said, when she grew quiet and
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