The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1901-08-29
Copyright, 1899. by J. u. LlppIncott Com
pany. All rights reserved.
CHATTER II.--CoSTINuED.

"Tbis. In the hour I have been
here you have found an untrodden way
TO the beart Of Richard Somers. know
now that no woman was ever there
before you; none will ever follow you.
l may not be here 10 give you my hand
Il do not know the circumstances that
surround you. or even ~ In winning
your sympathy ! am aging false-but
wherever you are. remember that my
soul follows. and would keep guard
over you II I might" He spoke with
an earnestness and passion that dis
turbed and alarmed himself Some
thing like q groan burst from his lips
when he realized how far he had cZm-
mitted himself, and he sank back In his
chair. There presently she found him.
and resting her hand timidly upon his
arm. she said, gently;
What would you have me answer
you?" She was calm and confident
now. At first she had shrunk little
from him. Her simple. confiding action
restored TO him his calmness.
IL would have you say at what hour
II Is you are accustomed to close the
eyes which look down upon without
seeing mine"
AT nine. But what Is this upon your
lapel-a flower?"
"a white rose for our wedding"
With pretty show of authority she
drew IL from its resting place and
fixed II In her hair.
''Do not flowers belong to the bride?"
'Wear IL In memory OF me-" he said,
gently. But now am going to in
sist that you take steps TO preserve
have bloomed for you. Have you .
drcssing-room?"
ayes. but 1 am not sleepy and
shall not desert you. Wait. Speaking
of the rose, ! shall sing you q song
love very much--that is, IL can find
my guitar. All, here IL is! Now I'll
sit here-and you right there-but
wonder II I can ever play in the dark
May l not have just a little light?
! won't mind"
How easily you forget! II is i'm
possible. Sing as you are; shall not
hear any discord." He was astonished
at her swift change of mood and n
new, glad note in her voice. She sang
low and sweetly, with perfect control
of her tones, the Last Rose of Sum
mer." And then he understood bet
ter. For In her voice he read that
the soul and spirit of an impassioned
woman dwelt In the slender frame
veiled by the shadows Of the room
He was silent. Every heartache that
had been crushed out of his manhood
seemed 10 have revived under the
magic of a subtle tone, an indescriDa,
bile, indefinable echo. IL was resur.
rection of something that had died
hard within him.
'You do not like my singing" she
said, disappointed, when, waiting foi
his praise, she found him silent and
thoughtful.
"Your singing? Yes. But a mem
ory! TO to slecpnow. Make yourself
comfortable and leave me to keeI
watch. Yet stay; will you not sing
over those lines again? To me they
are inexpressibly beautiful"
Standing In the doorway of hei
dressing-room, she sang the verse
through again softly without accom-
panimcnt, waited until she was as
sured that he would not speak, ant
then passed thoughtfully within
When she came forth. urrayed in hei
wrapper. she paused beside him, puz
Eled over his change of mood.
~ am afraid you are going TO b'
lonely" she said.
'Sleep, my child. sleep; ] shall not
be lonely--knowing you are there"
perhaps am keeping you awake?'
ayes. That Is il; you are keeping
me awake!"
"Wcll. I am holding out my hand
and saying good night" she said
He found and pressed his lips upoI
them. He held them so tightly ant
trembled so violently she bent dowi
over him confused. One of her curls
L loosehed, dropped upon his neck, ant
\pnother across his cheek. The minglet
'Odor of her hair and the rose fille'
him with a strange intoNication.
~ am sorry II have distressed yo'
in any way" she said; ''you have beef
kind, oh, so kind to me. Good night.
He still held her hands, his fac
bowed upon them, his form shaking
with strange emotion. Good night,
she said again. III ! do fall aslecl
and you are loncly-oh, sir, you hur
my hands"
Good night" he whispered, hoarss
ly, recovering himself and releasing
them. She crossed the room, and h
saw her, dimly. standing by the bed
ms though In doubt. And then sh
sank softly to her knees and laid he
head upon her arms. child-wlse, i
prayer. He arose and stood until h
saw her head lifted.
"wait," he said, earnestly; "will yo
not pray also for me?"
~ have prayed for you already" sh
answered.
"will you tell me the prayer?"
"some time. perhaps, when II ha
been answered"
He thought then that she had falle
asleep, but after awhile she spok
again.
"wili you let me ask you a questio
of yourself again?"
"Yes, II you wish"
"Dr. Brodnar said that you ba
never had but one ambition In III
and that you had been diSappointe,
What did ne mean?"
~ once had ambition TO he n gres
soldier. That In all"
"were you ever soldier?"
ayes, an officer In the rcguln
army"
"Ard now?"
~ am wanderer. a gentlema
only"
"why did you leave the army?"
IL struck my superior officer. The