Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1902-11-06


/ D,lvillc neither Mr.. Bathurst nor
the dean were present..
Come. come" ,aid Mrs. Delauy
rallying me. "your countcnancc Is
too candid. Fir. You must bear with
me for the journey
assured her that | va, most flat
tered to be her squire; and. indeed.
il was true, for my old friend wllci,
a charming creature-one of the
elect company Of women who make a
little heaven on earth.
Our day was a happy one, and, to
my amazcment ! found myself
laughing heartily at the play Of the
two young daughters of the house.
who. while We RECALLED ourselves with
strawberries and cream under a chest
nut on the lawn, took to iliuging
rose leaves upon each other, and even
entered into their play. tlinging my
handful Of fragrance so they knewnot
whence it came.
But as We drove back to town IN
the afternoon Mrs. Delany let fall a
speech that seemed to thrust me into
the cold and darkness from which !
had but lately emerged
lis pity to make a nun finer,
she said.
"Of whom" / asked. staring.
Why Of that heavenly woman. !
fear thst she has it in her mind. She
is at tn. convent oftcner than like.
She has not confdcd in me, but fear
she socn will
! turned cold with apprehension.
\ world without that heavenly wom-
an! 1t was unthinkable Then a
blind rage seized me, and | felt that
| could break all the bars in the
world that divided me from her.
| felt that my eyes were sud
denly infamed-like my heart !
glanced at Mrs. Delany and saw that
her red lips smiled. could scarcely
trust myself TO speak and when the
words came ] knew my voice was
husky.
"'Twould be a great sacrifice"
said |.
IF we could make her feel that
she had a work to do in the world,
Mrs. Delany responded. 81 comics,
the dean and would be in despair at
the loss of that heavenly woman.
But we are a selfish couple. She does
not feel herself necessary to u. If
she could feel that there was some
one who could not do without her."
There is some one" | said, half
under my breath.
"Ah" Her eyes were dewy. but
still the soft scarlet Of her lips
smiled. DO you know what your
friends are saying? That you are too
miserable to do without each other.
But remember"-she laid her hand
in mine-"once she passes the pos
tern Of the Poor Clares twill not be
easy to dislodge her. She is a thing
with a will and a purpose"
"She shall not pass them" said.
After supper Mrs. Bathurst and ]
found ourselves, as usual, alone.
Those two lovers, the dean and hi.
lady, had been separated the length
Of day. They had much to talk Of,
and we saw them take their way to
that little seat cut in the ivy which
only held them two.
The sky was in long streaks of rose
and amber, with quiet water space.
Of green between. a young moon
climbed slowly up the sky. At the |
moment it was tangled in the boughs |
of an ancient apple tree. We went |
down the terraces through the kitch- |
en- garden to the bayfield,, where the |
long swathes were drying in rows. |
heaped some for a seat for her, and |
when she had taken it | stood look
ing at her whereshe glimmered white
in the dark. spoke then as bad not
80 you would slip from me into
/ convent" | said, and | knew there
vas fury in my voice.
81 have had thoughts that way"
The said sin the DAYS of INV unbon-