Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1901-01-12
THE
DESPERATE CASE OF PERCIYAL.

would SnC nave written tnat no,
after all? Suppose she could have eS
planned And would 1t not be better I,
give her the opportunity toeXplain? O
course she could. She could make
him look like fool in one sentence
but he was not the man 10 allow any
girl to twist him arodnd her little
finger He would show her that \
trivial cause, perhaps. rs some pvopl,
might look at it. but what could there
be trivial in their intercourse. Look
ing back he could remember other in
stances, slight in themselves, but
We're they not as floating straws show
ing the ebbing tide of love?
But to return to the Chinese ques
ton. Oh. hang the Chinese question
Yet it should be n matter VI human in.
tercst. Great nations We &c playing q
great game there; armies We're gather
ing. How would it be to enlist. Here
was subject worthy of serious con,
sideration. What could life offer him
here but the prospect of a dreary slav.
ing oven account books. Was that a
career for a man with blood in his
veins and strength in his sincws? On
the other hand, strenuous activity, the
joy of conflict. the thrill of danger
and then a glorious death. She would
hear of it and perhaps her binding
tears would fall fast upon the printed
page where his name would appear
in capital letters in the list of the
slain, They might perhaps bring his
mortal remains back in a metal cas-
ket. They have done that for the
boys who fell in Cuba. and while Per-
cival thought at the time it was a
piece of idiotic sentimental eXtrava-
gance, now it seemed only the proper
and decent thing to do. The services
would he held at the church. of course,
and there would be pathetic illusions
to the young hero. who animated by
sentiments Of the Hottest patriotism,
responded gladly to his country's call
and laid down his life on the sacred
altar of-er-Of that country. The
chances were good for a swooning at
that.
But after all it would not be we'll to
go away with bitterness in his heart.
She must understand that though Fate
had spoken and un eternal separation
must be-that it was his unalterable
determination that it should be-yet
he would be faithful to her memory.
He would release her formally from
Ia ,1,,t ,,ll
should understand. yet he would
place an icy barrier before her-aMd
then he would bid her farewell for
ever. Perhaps a letter would be the
best way.
No. Letters We're only letters. liza
bic to miscCnstructon, and there
should be no mistaking his firm in
tention.
Yet it might be put better in writ
ing.
But then there was always the dan
ger of a letter falling into the hands
of a third party. The old man might
open it. Just as well to call tomor-
row evening.
Where was the sense of putting it
off? If it had to be done it might just
as well be done at once.
Percival put on his coat and went
out.
Perhaps ten minutes had elapsed
since the eternal farewell had been
spoken and the young man and the
girl We're seated on the sofa talking
it over. They were not vet separated
far from it.
you might just as we'll have given
me another" he said. plaintively.
Then all this misery would have been
avoided"
Il had given you enough-more than
enough" she answered.
Enough for you. perhaps
Now don't begin again, Percival.
You know papa was getting awfuIly
impatient. And enc wouldn't have sat
sfied you anyway. | don't want to
give you so many that you won't care
for them"
"Try. Give me one now
She gave it to him. Presently he
said: And you'll give me another
lock of your hair"
you don't deserve it." she replied,
but I suppose III have too.'-Chicago
Record.