Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1901-04-03
This strange experience preceded IN.

ihis strknSc experience prcceded the
dreams. Without a days warning he
had been plunged into the privacy of
young and modest woman's life, had
become the guardian of her honor and
in u measure of her future; and in a
mysterious way the divine sweetness
Of her soul had issued forth and en-
veloped him. In the chiaroscuro of
the still room he could just determine
the outlines Of her bed and upon it's
whiteness the outlines OF her slender
figure. He was glad that she slept;
in that quiet falling asleep was for
him the finest tribute ever paid to his
manhood. A glad, quick pulse leaped
from his heart as he realized this
truth. and the words of the girls
mother. SO artlessly repeated, came
back to him.
Then in the desert OF his life a
stranger came before his tent and
asked for shelter. He babe him enter.
Why should not this scene be fixed
and real and lasting? Would it be
possible? Would the girl some day
accept it as such, yielding still the
trust and tenderness she had brought
to the counterfeit? Was she trusting
Brodnar? Or was she trusting him {?
The trust was in him. He felt il in
stinctively; and her little white hand
seemed to steal forth to his again,
her arms to enfold him. What a
child she was! And yet-and yet
An irresistible impulse seized him to
be near her, to touch her hand, her
hair, and to pass within the electric
r. ~
for moment. He was her guardian
whether she slept or awoke.
strange curiosity to be near a
sleeping girl, to enter further into
her life and absorb the sweetness of
its innocence, possessed him. She
would not know, she would never
know, perhaps; and why should he
not snatch from fate this one brief
moment of happiness? \ doubt as
sailed him and brought hesitation:
but with an impatient gesture he
threw aside the hesitation. He would
not let even himself doubt himself
And so he came and stood above the
sleeper. and presently, entranced, he
kneeled and saw her lying there,
vague, dim and unrecognizable, but a
girl asleep. Her face was towards
him upon the pillow and one hand lay
upon the edge of her bed. So quietly
did she sleep she seemed not TO
breathe. He watched her until a
tremOr shook him from head to foot.
and never before experienced con-
fusion seized upon his mind. Instinct
lively he leaned above her hand and
touched it with his lips-lightly. rev
erently. She sighed and spoke his
name, and. overwhelmed with sudden
dismay, he would have withdrawn. but
she seized his arms and cried out:
Light! light" And then. broken
ly: "Oh. sir, for the first time-I am
I am-frigh tened," He sank his
face beside her, overwhelmed with
shame.
ut is half-past three" he said. brok-
emily; II must soon say farewell to
you-"
oh. sir. will you not light the gas?"
Seeing that she still trembled, he
arose and went to his chair.,t
NO" he said, calmly. But sleep
on. l shall not disturb you again. -
And then presently she came. and,
kneeling in sudden abandon before
him, placed her hands upon his shout
ders, her face close into his.
II shall not let YOU leave me think
ing that do not trust you" she said.
'oh, sir, kiss me now. my hands, my
hair my lips if you will. / trust i'm
pIicitly! l trust you-yes, and
more, L"
Child. child, you do not know what
you are sayingl" He covered his face
with his hand.
Child! No. woman! You do not
understand; il is you who are the
child. Listen. | was not asleep when
you struck match and. turning your
face from me, looked at your watch.
| was awake, and | saw your face in
the glass across the room"
You should not
1T was an accident, and | thanked
God, for 1t has given me living mem
DRY OF the kindcst friend since mother
dled. 1t is not the first time. for your
picture is in the doctors office. He
did not know that | have hung over il
fixing it in my mind many-manv
times-oh, will you, will YOU say that
you wish 10 see me? Have Won no
wish to remember me?"
Remember you? shall carry with
me forever the sound OF your voice
the touch OF your hand. the perfume
OF every curl upon your head"
But my face. VIII YOU look upon
that? ] release you from all your
promises"
81 cannot, cannot"
oh. sir. think what IL will mean
to me in all the lonely DAYS TO come
the memory Of you and the conscious.
ness that Won carry in your heart
sometime the face OF tho girl who -"
ut must not be. Remember vour
husbands honor! You promised 10
honor him. Is this the waye"
MY husband. my husband!" she
cried. half rising you have said IT,"
Frances, Frances"
"Ah, Frances Saw n all Fr,,,,...