Warren sheaf., 1902-12-11
To High
ETldeayOr
BY JULIA NEELY FINCH
'VOU cannot deny that I hold an

am not. to you of that world that
IS about you, worshiping-"
81 will admit that much. You GER
ta1nly are not worshiping.'"
Despite its f1ippancy there was the
tense undertone of earnestness in
the girls clear modulation of tone,
and the dark head was held a bit
detiantly for perfect mental equi-
polse; but the man opposite her,
standing and leaning against the
low balustrade, was in too deadly
earnest to be in a receptively watch
full mood, hence the deeper meaning
of her speech he missed.
mo. My worship reserve for"
"Another woman?" But his low,
uneven tones ran on "My IDEALS"
And l, unfortunately am not the
realization of even the lowest?'
you certainly are not my ideal of
noble womanhood. And yet-Mar-
garet-Margaret-I love you SO!
Why, l love you-not to madness,
but to all high and holy purpose.
10 the end and limit of loves mean
ing. No endeavor would be too high
for your sake; no aim and object
too far!
"But you-oh, dearest! Forgive
me that 1 must say it to you! That
my very love impels me to hurt you
you! You are beautiful, blessed
by all for fortunes gifts and favors,
and what are you to yoelr fellow-be-
dngs? A star set on high to guide
and direct? The soft light set in
window that stumbling feet may
set their way thereto?
ALAS! Alas! my dear one, that
you are not! We're you all that it
is in your power and possibility to
be, believe me, I would, I would, re-
sign all to another who might better
help you so to be-"
"You are kind"
eyes, kind to you, but most un-
kind to myself. For-well have I
calculated the result of what I am
daring to say to you. And yet |
dare. Danger lies in the path you
tread. How dare"-and his voice
took on the growing menace of an
angry brute-"how dare Granville
Joyce set his lustful glance upon
you? How dare you receive his ap-
proving looks with a smile? Were
you mine"
''But then-I am not-yet''-with
a swift upward CLEAN from beneath
the long-la shed ids-and a slight
upward infection of the musical
voice
81 would kill you with these hands
that yearn to labor for you before
YOU should bask under aalecherous
look! Do you suppose you know
men?"
"some of them. I think I know
little bit-but-"
"Never mind all that badinage of
tone You know men! You, girl
guarded as jewel within a casket!
Why, had you the faintest idea of
what soiling thoughts that man pro-
jects toward you would faint with
shame, And 1 tell YOU
He paused, for demon seemed to
clutchj and hold his throat, and the
girl could see in the moonlight fall
ing softly about them the trembling
of the tense wrist, the knotted lines
in the smooth young brow.
81 tell you, if he even dares to call
but your name before meas I
would brain a mad dog, will as
sault him."
. There fell silence between them,
and the young fellow Strengthened
cI
swift, nervous gesture, tossed back
a lock of fair hair that broke from
its masses and fell over his brow.
AS for the girl there had risen to
her cheek a dusky rose, and her
teeth showed line of pearl against
the luscious fullness of her under
dip. She breathed little hurriedly,
so that the long-stemmed rose which
shone golden against the folds of
thin black stuff that veiled her bos-
ON trembled as though a kiss had
stirred it's petals.
margaret was almost a
sob in the word, and John Muir fell
on his knees on the step below the
girl and held her two hands in his,
looking with all his soul in his clear
eyes at her lovely, downcast face.
Perfect; perfect, from ripping,
duslSy hair to tiny toe-tips was she!
A beautiful woman and his hearts
dear love.
AS for him, his face was noble
one, and good, and in figure he
held his own among his fellows.
John" "4es"' john"
<eYou-' 'Yes?'' "You hurt my
hands'-and her light laugh rippled
on the air. " ...
Without one word John Muir rose
and stood moment on the step be-
low her. quiet and grave.
There was a pallor upon his face
and his hands, dropped at his sides,
were clutched tightly, thumb in palm
This night was as the end Of the
world to him.
(Ah, me! How sweet to look back
upon! How, bitter to live through,
thnee catacIySTns of our yOuthN