The St. Louis Republic., 1901-09-08
CHAPTER /.
AN UNEXPECTED MEETING

Il was just thinking of you" he SAID
presently, and his voice trembled with sup
pressed emotion; but that Is nothing I'ew
he added. with a short. bitter laugh ou
are always in my thoughts, Maude
His words made the girl draw herself UP
TO her full height, and the momenfary fush
died out Of her delicsteiy chiseied face
I'VE cannot stand here she said. with
quiet dignity. I'VE are blocking UP the way
and attracting attention Good-by. And
she held out her hand 10 him.
.'Good-by?" lie echoed hlankiy. You are
not going 10 be SO cruel as TO dismiss me
like this, when 1t Is months since 1 saw you
,aste'
They were standing on the narrow pave
ment in St. Paurs Churchyard. and during
the brief moments OF their meeting more
than one passer-by had turned to gaze al
them with curiosity or amusement.
They were by no means an ordinary
looking pair. Richard Hanbury's tall. we'll
knit frame and handsome face made him
conspicuous even in a London crowd; and
the girl with whom he was pleading was a
beauty Of no common type.
I'VE cannot stand here" she repeated
faltering. III do wish you would go. Mr..
Eanhury."
mir. Eanbury?" he echoed. in dismay.
sIIas It come to that, Maude?"
She looked up into his face with sudden
determination.
You know It camo to that long ago. go
please go!'' And she turned away from
him.
Won't you give me nve minutes, Maude7'
he said. striding after her. You don't
know what It will mean to me II you don't"
She paused, and a look Of mingled pain
and compassion came into her face which
he was quick to see, and, seizing his oppor-
tunity with desperate eagesness. he ex-
claimed:
Let US 20 Into st. Paurs. We can talk
quietly there"
The girl hesitated q moment more; then.
in silence. she turned and walked by his
side as he led the way up the broad flight Of
steps into the stately cathedral.
I'll have been trying SO hard toto
keep right. for your sake, darling" he whis-
pered. "And II you had sent me away from
yon, I should have been driven to despera-
tion again. oh. Maude. will you not give
me one more chance2'
They had taken two seats in a quiet part
of the great solemn building. with no one
near enough. or concerned enough, to notice
them. At his words the girl again drew
back. with a deprecating gesture.
Il can only remain here, Richard, on con-
dition that you will keep TO your promise.
what promiseT' he exclaimed dejectedly.
'The promise that We should meet as
friends. and nothing more" she answered,
keeping her eyes steadily averted from his.
Il don't see how It Is possible" he cried.
life 10 unbearahle without you, Maudei"
And, again forgetting the compact, he
leaned forward and laid his hand on hers.
'Richard"-and there was tone OF her
ror in Maude nlingworth's yoice-':you are
not true to your promise. in more ways
than one. You have broken your vow again,
haven't your
The young man drew back. and 4 deep
fiush mounted to his brow.
"How can you expect anything clse?'
muttered Then. after q moments silence,
you. Maude. that you were my one safe
guard from the cursed drink With your
love to help me. and your companionship to
keep me from the men who have been my
ruin. could havs got riEht-I know per-
1ectly well could have got right! But with
out you have nothing-absolutcly nothing
10 keep mer' And he covered his face
with his hands. and groaned aloud
at was never 30. Richard" she answered
slowly. Even in the days when was your
affianced wife you would not give up this
awful thing.
But I didn't see things then as do now"
he said. with un expression Of utter misery
in his faes. .And-and did not appreciate
sou. or love you. ~ much as 1 do now. 1
since you have shown me that am nothing
to you. I tell you, Maude, when a man IS
desperate It II easy enough to fail into the
devils hands!"'
The girl shuddered convulsively at his
words; while he continued sloomily:
II you had only had little more pa
tience with me-"
Patience. Richardf" she echoed sadly. 81
DO not think you can accuse me of not hav-
ing been patient with you"
Dick" she said. "a they stood side by
side for q moment. '.wfn you ask God to
help your feel sure He must have power
TO cure his fearful habit-to cast out this
deyil-for Il IL nothing less; and-and to
make you new man. Oh. surely He will
hear II you viii ask His help, Dick she
added, laying her hand for one brief mo-
ask Himto-to sive you power to resist the
temptation when II comes"
Il promise," he answered. Selling her
hand in hie, snd holding It as in wise.
Nothing but that can save you, Dick
she said. with qufvering- lips II am con-
WINGED Of Il. Now go. I want to be here
alone for little while"
He let. her hand fail from his grasp; and.
without trusting himself to look at her
again. he hurried away.
For some moments shs stood where he
had left her: then she kneit down, sobbing
silently. II only He. the. Christ, were still
on earth, she thought. He would have COM
passion on him. and bid him be free from
the accurEed thing: but he. seemed so far
away now. 70 unanproachabie.
She had prayed so often, aDg her prayers
had been unanswered; and yet.-and yet he
had said: "Ask. and IT shall be given you;
seek, and ye shall find; knock. and It shall
be opened unto you" Yes there must he
could find It She told him--the man who
had Just left her-that God would hear him,
and help to overcome temptation. and she
believed It implicitly; but even now. as she
tried to pray for him, the barrier between
herself and God seemed to become greater.
and from her heart, II not her lips, was
wrung the cry, SO often uttered by souls
cropping in darkness: 'Oh, that / might
know where might find Him.
And Richard Hanbury. vo~ing once again