The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1901-02-22
Copyright. 1890 by J. y. Lippincott Com
pany. All rights reserved.

now that no woman was ever there
before you; none will ever follow you.
may not be here 10 give you my hand
Il do not know the circumstances that
surround you, or even IL in winning
your sympathy am playing false-but
wherever you are, remember that my
soul follows. and ! would keep guard
over you If I might" He spoke with
an earnestness and passion that dis
turbed and alarmed himself. Some
thing like a groan burst from his lips
when he realized how far he had c~m'
mtted 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.
~ would have you say at what hour
1t is you are accustomed to close the
eyes which look down upon without
seeing NINE"
"At nine. But what is this upon your
1apel-a fiower?"
"a white rose for our wedding"
With pretty show of authority she
drew it from its resting place and
fixed it in her hair.
do not flowers belong to the
bride?"
swear it in memory of me-" he said
gently. "But now / am going to in
slst that you take steps to preserve
those other roses which / am sure
have bloomed for you. Have you q
dressing-room?
Eyes, but | am not sleepy and
shall not desert you. Wait. Speaking
of the rose, shall sing you a song
love very much-that is, if can fine
my guitar. All, here it is! Now II
sit here-and you right there-but
wonder if can ever play in the dark
May l not have just little light
4 won't mind"
"How easily you forget! 1t is i'm
possible. Sing as you are; shall no
hear any discord." He was astonisheC
at her swift change of mood and
new, glad note in her voice. She san,
low and sweetly, with perfect contro
of her tones, the Last Rose of Sum
mer." And then he understood bet
ter. For in her voice he read tina
the soul and spirit of an impassione,
woman dwelt in the slender fran
yelled by the shadows of the rom
He was silent Every heartache tina
had been crushed out of his manhoo
seemed to have revived under tn
magic of subtle tone, an indescriba
bic, indefnable echo. 1t was a resul
rection of something that had die
hard within him.
"You do not like my singing" sh
said, disappointed, when, waiting 70
his praise, she found him silent an
thoughtful.
"Your singing? Yes. But men
cry! 90 to sleep now. Make yourse
comfortable and leave me to kee
watch. Yet stay; will you not sin
over those lines again? To me the
are inexpressibly beautiful
Standing In the doorway of hs
tressing-room, she sang the vers
through again softly without accom-
saniment, waited until she was a!
mred that he would not speak, an
then passed thoughtfully within
Hnen she came forth, arrayed In he
wrapper, she paused beside him, pu
lied over his change of mood
Il am afraid you are going to
onely," she said.
"Sleep, my child, sleep; I shall NJ
oe ionely-knowing you are there"
Perhaps l am keeping you awake;
"Yes. That is it; you are keepin
he. awake!"
well, am holding out my hand
and saying good night" she sal
lie found and pressed his lips upo
them. He held them so tightly ar
trembled so violently she bent dow
over him confused One of her curl
toosened, dropped upon his neck, al
another across his cheek. The mingl,
odor of her hair and the rose file
aim with strange intoxication.
Il am sorry if have distressed yc
In any way" she said; 'you have bee
kind, oh, so kind to me. Good night
He still held her hands, his fa
bowed upon them, his form shakiI
with strange emotion. Good night
she said again. IF / do fall aisle,
and you are lonely-oh, sir, you hu
my hands,"
''Good night" he whispered, hoars
ly recovering himself and re1easil
them. She crossed the room, and
saw her, dimly, standing by the be
as though in doubt. And then S
sank softly to her knees and laid h
head upon her arms, child-wise,
prayer. He arose and stood until
saw her head lifted.
wait" he said, earnestly; twill y
not pray also for me?"
Il have prayed for you already" S
answered.
"Will you tell me the prayer"
"Some time, perhaps, when it
Been answered"
He thought then that she had fall
asleep, but after awhile she spo
again.
evil you let me ask you a questi