Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1902-11-11

iedNe them. NOR can say lOuhu ~
a hardship, because, after the silence
and despair Of these years, it seemed
the most eascful thing to lay it all
bare under the deep. compassionate
eyes Of that heavenly woman, and to
hear how She had suffered as ! had
done.
We had been friends now for some
months; and if it were not that 1
have gagged the great soul, the deep
calling to deep, OF a woman's tender
ness. l would have mavelcd at how
She gave me with both hands of her
sighs and sympathy We never tired.
indeed, of each others society; and
often when it was time forus to part
we stood up and looked IN each 9TH
er's eyes blankly, not having realized
how time had flown
One day we we're to ride to Lucan,
to take thewaters, with Mrs Delany
in her coach; but when had come to
Delyille neither Mrs. Bathurst nor
the dean were present.
Come, come" said Mrs. Delany,
rallying me, your countenance is
TOO candid, sir You must bear with
me for the journey"
I assured her that was most fiat
tered to be her squire; and, indeed,
it was true, for my old friends wifeis
a charming creature-one of the
elect company Of women who make
little heaven on earth.
Our day was happy one, and, to
my amazement ! found myself
laughing heartily at the play Of the
two young daughters of the house,
who. while we RECALLED ourselves with
strawberries and cream undera cheat-
nut on the lawn, took to Ainging
rose leaves upon each other, and even
entered into their play, flinging 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 l
had but lately emerged.
IT'S pity to make nun Of her,
she said.
"Of whom?" / asked, staring.
"Why, Of that heavenly woman. /
fear that she has it in her mind. She
is at the convent oftener than like.
She has not confded in me, but l fear
she soon will"
l turned cold with apprehension.
A world without that heavenly wom-
an. 1t was unthinkable. Then a
blind rage seized me, and 1 felt that
l could break all the bars in the
world that divided me from her.
l felt that my eyes were sud
denly inAamed-like my heart l
glanced at Mrs Delany and saw that
her red lips smiled. could scarcely
trust myself to speak and when the
words came l knew my voice was
husky.
"Twould be a great sacrifice"
said l.
IF we could make her feel that
she had a work to do in the world"
Mrs. Delany responded. Il confess
the dean and / would be in despair at
the loss Of that heavenly woman.
But we are a selfish couple She does
lot feel herself necessary to us. If
she could feel that there was some
one who could not do without her!"
"There is some one" l 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
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" l said.
After supper Mrs. Bathurst and l
found ourselves, as usual, alone.
Those two lovers, the dean and his
lady, had been separated the length
of a 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 spaces
of green between. A young moon
climbed slowly up the sky. Atthe