The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-04-04

LII
dressing groom, she sang the verse
through again softly without accom-
panime waited until she was as
sured that he would not speak, and
then passed thoughtfully within.
When she came forth, arrayed in her
wrapper, she paused beside him, puz-
zled over his change of mood. -, Y
Il am afraid you are going to be
lonely" she said. s..ss- Fl. - -. -
sleep, my child, Sleep. I shall not
be lonely-knowing you are there"
perhaps am keeping you awake ?"
I "Yes. That is it; you are keeping
me awake! -" -. i Is =: Z: - -
"Well, I am holding out my hands
and saying good night "zshe said.
He found and pressed his lips upon
them He held them so tightly and
trembled so violently she bent down
over him confused. One of her curls,
loosened, dropped upon his neck, and
another across his cheek. The mingled
| odor of her hair and the rose filled
him with a strange intoxication.
II am sorry if I have distressed you
in any way" she said; you have been
! kind, oh, so kind to me. Good night"
| He still held her hands, his face
| bowed upon them, his form shaking
with a strange emotion. "Good night
she said again. IF do fall asleep
and you are lonely-oh, sir, you hurt
my hands" ~es~ ~-
Good night" he whispered, hoarse-
| ly, recovering himself and releasing
| them. She crossed the room, and he
| saw her, dimly, standing by the bed,
as though in doubt. And then she
sank softly to her knees and laid her
head upon her arms, child-wise, in
prayer. He arose and stood until he
saw her head lifted. - s.--.s
"Wait," he said, earnestly; twill you
| not pray also for me?" ~.
'I'have prayed for you already" she
| answered.
"Will you tell me the prayer?"
"Some time, perhaps, when it has
| been answered." ~.
He thought then that she had fallen
asleep, but after awhile she spoke
| again.
evil you let me ask you question
of yourself again?"
eyes, if you wish"
CDR. Brodnar said that you had
never had but one ambition in life,
and that you had been disappointed.
What did he mean?'
II once had ambition to be a great
soldier. That is a1l.''
"Were you ever a soldier?"
eyes, an officer in the regular
army"
"And now?"
Il am a wanderer. A gentleman
only"
"Why did you leave the army?"
II struck my superior officer. They
heard my defense and-let me resign"
"And the other-what became of
him?"
''He cheated at cards, was publicly
insulted--and cashiered."~
"Why did you strike him?"
"Is this asking "a question:"
"Oh, forgive me! Good night"
1T is very short" he said, repent
antly. There was a woman in the
case; the card incident was but a. pre-
text" A low cry escaped the girl.
Then she said, half rising:
"You loved her?' 49,.
YES" He heard her sink SLOWLY
back upon her pillow. II thought so,
at least-until now. I was mistaken
in her; my pride was wounded.", He
arose and paced the room.
"Tell me of her, please?"
'She lived not far from Washington
with a relative, her parents both
dead. She had some means of her
own and frequently came into the
| city, where she had friends. We met,
| and I believed in her; but this officer
came between us. She thought him
rich, and I was deserted for him. She
belonged to that class of women who
esteem wealth the foremost object of
life, women who go deliberately to
men they do not, cannot love, or even
respect, and say in effect: Here, we
have beauty, youth, freshness, for sale.
Take us, dress us, give US jewels and
fine clothes to wear, carriages to ride
in; give us chance to command the
homage of men, and all that we have
is yours Watch for them upon your
streets; all men know them at sight.
God, but they pay at last! Look in
when the excitement has passed and
see upon their faces the frozen de-
spair; see in the heaviness of their
step the weight of a dead youth, and
in their eyes eternal hopelessness.
Child, child, be not deceived; love is
the only gold that pays a woman.
shun them, these wretched ADVERTISE
ments of dishonor. Let no man come
into the holiness of your life until love
has sanctified the sacrifice" He ceased
abruptly, and the next instant was
kneeling by her side. Forgive mel"
he cried Have I not told you I
hold you blameless?" Suddenly he
felt her arms about his neck, drawing
his face to hers. Her hair enveloped