The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-03-22
SIX YEARS LOST.
A Woman Who Did Not Know the
Strength of Her Love.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

Strength of Her Love. 4
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what would we live on, MAXI" laugh
ed Sydncs Vernon. CHANGING down at her
elegant morning dress, with the pretty
slipper just peeping from beneath its
hem. Its all very well to eschew the
practicabiites of life, but they are some
what necessary, for all that, and have
never seen any great evidence of ccono-
my on your part, and | an quite sure
you have not on mine"
Max Bayard tugged impaticntly at his
mustachc as the girl whom Il moment
before he had asked 10 be his wife thus
answered him.
He had known her long enough TO
learn to love her with all the strength of
his great heart, to worship her beauty.
to follow her constantly with his eyes,
knowing but one wish, one hope. that she
might be his
And she fancied, not altogether wrong
ly, that his love had met some return.
Her eyes had frightened at his coming.
her voice had learned to welcome him.
until he felt he must end suspense and
gain some assurance; the more so that n
Mr. Clayton had lately come upon the
scene, rich and childiess widower, who
evidently looked with favor upon the
belle of the watering place and whom
her aunt under whose care she was. if
not the young lady herself looked upon
with favor in return.
II have never had an incentive to econ.
omy' Max said in answer Il have
enough to live on and feed my horses,
though my tailor's bill does trouble me
now and then. | confess: but, Sydney.
will change all that, dear. | cant per-
haps give you all the luXuries to which
You are accustomed. but you shall not
lack for comforts that promise YOU"
We should be miserable. Max. mser-
able, both you and L." the girl answered
bitterly. I'VE have not either Of us been
reared in a school of poverty. / would
cry for cake, while you could only give
me bread, and you for ale, while could
give YOU only kisses. Come, be sensible.
and let us be good friends"
Friends? Ncver," he exclaimed. 81
am starving, and you throw me a stone.
Look into my eyes, Sydney, straight and
true, and say you do not love me. and
will go away and trouble you no more"
The long lashes dropped low on her
cheek.
Il cannot quite say that" she an
swered, but l will say more. prom
isod last night to become Mr.. Clayton's
wife within six months"
Max Bayards handsome face grew
white TO the very lips. look OF deadly
anger mingled with something like loath-
ing, crept into it. Sydney shrank from it
as from a blow
Don't, Max, don't" she cried 81
couldn't help it. | am very sorry"
You could not help it, You are very
sorry. he repeated very slowly. Gould
not help what? Toying with me for your
amusement-playing fast and loose with
your victim or selling yourself to the
highest bidder? Which? You are very
sorry for whom? For the man you led
.an?"
With these words he turned and left
her sitting on the sands. the ocean max
ing its low moan al her feet
"Oh, If il would come on and on and
swallow ne up. she walled in echo Il
sove him, love him. Max, you are
right; the man | propose to marry does
deserve the pity. But you-oh. my love,
you might have spared me your hate!
id 1t for the bcst-I did it for the best"
~
Six years had passed-six years fraught
Indeed with change
IF she had been but true to herself
aad me." Max Bayard had thought when
but a few months after the event which
had driven him from his native land 10
ind forgetfulness in travel a letter had
been, put into his hand which had fol.
lowed him from port to port. announcing
that he had fallen heir to fortune which
might have challenged Mr. Clayton's in
its m ignitude.
IF only she had trusted me-" he sail
bitterly again and again in the lonely
hours OF the night. despisng himself that
ne could not learn to hate her.
a year afterward he married His wife
vas very young and very lovely, but there
were depths in his nature that her hand
never stirred, and even as She lay with
her head piowed on his breast another
haunting face would come between and
MIA the caressing murmur of her words
wouid so.nd the echo Of the ''might have
been.'
But he loved her very dearly and
mourned her very truly when. one short
year after their marriage. he laid hen
away IN her grave and took up the bur.
nen OF NE aeain, with the added rcspon-
siDliity OF the tiny infant daughter she
had left him.
'Wantcd a lady to superintcnd the
sducaiion s,t Of little girl Apply between
me hours Of and 6 at -."
was " answer to this advertisement
nat s'x Years aftes that memorable aft.
efnoon .,. npon the beach, lady stood
Whiting ~ The elegant drawing room Of