Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1902-02-15

you up l Thought always ol YOU HISt.
Tha was why gave you up-which
you naturally considered II weakness" "
1t did not escape Mrs. Ilu"Onin that
dormant weakness of her own was
reviving under the continued stress Of
this absurd conversation. Il weakness
for sentiment. But it was checked by
her vcXation with her friend for break
Ing their tacit understanding. and by
the feeling of half contemptuous pity
that stole over her as he spoke.
Werc she n man. she thought she
would never confess at forty to the in
competence of twenty-five. That Kin
naird did so. hut absO!vcd her again.
Also. she reflected. sic had had Il head
ache yesterday. and therefore it was
very lucky this conversation had not
been started yesterday or she would
have been much more provoked than
she was now.
II shall not stop YOU" she said I'm
half mschievous tone go on won't
he angry. You will perhaps admit that
If there is anything ranking it is as
we'll for you to abuse me and have it
over. even after all these years. whose
obituaries you have written"
"My dear. my darling" he said. his
strong hand clasping hers 80 quickly
that invOluntarily her arm struggled
like a birds wing to wrcst itself away.
lit is well for me to tell the only wom-
an | ever loved that love her still and
do not mean to let her 20 again"
arthur"
"MarGarct I love you more than
ever"
"It is impossible!'
81 love you.'
"YOu cannot. cannot be in earnest"
she stammcrcd. why, you have new
err told me-
"Never-until now" he laughed. Il
learned something when lost you the
first time-my darling!.'
This" said Mrs. IIugOnin. partially
recovering herself, ''is folly. Arthur.
and it is most unfair
''Cnfar." he said. ito want you for
my wife: No: you mean unfair to take
you off your guard. l will not quibble
with your words" he said. smiling
''May the hour and the scene suggest
to you all that they will; may they
bring You back tot was twenty that
you were-when 1t all happened. Mar
garat. when you We're twenty-siX |
went away from the city Of all my
hopes. hut before l turned my back on
it | did as many n refugee had done
before me-I sealed up my treasures
and hid them. and my store Is where
left it. That is why | want you to
marry me. All that | had looked for
ward to telling yOu-when you were
twcnty-all that | had to say to you,
the secret heard that had been piling
up for our married life. is intact. and
now | want you to share 1t with me-"
He paused Il moment and then went
on: MY dear. have simply had to
wait: TINT is all. But. please heaven.
we will begin again"
Poor Mrs. IIugoninS breath came
and went. an unwilling messenger of
paSson-or. II might he. Of sentiment
"1'rrhapS | was in the wrong" she
said. But why did not you think more
of yoursclf?"
IL am thinking of myself now" said
kinnaird
Suddenly. rs Mrs. HugOnin hung dis
tractcd and in doubt. the cliff before
them rang faint and Sibylline with an
echo. Ii was the town clock of the vii
lagr striking over beyond the trees.
They could not hear it. but. sent from
ledge to ledge in the still night air. it
struck silvery and remote on the gran
ite facade. As it sounded they both
started he at ITS elfin suggestions. she
at its material reminder.
Good gracious" she exclaimed. 'It
is II o'clock
at is" said Kinnaird
"And we must positively go back to
the hotel at once. We are scandal,
Arthur-and you know it. for saw
you start too" She began to smile.
"Do you see nothing in the augury:"
she asked.
"The augury:"
I'VE are two old FOOLS" she SAID
'Think of my boy in his bed. Arthur.
"Think of my thirty years-be quiet, if
NOu tuOOSt W IOT
fOrmality's sake. 1t Is only the night
and the moonlight. When II o'clock
strikes, we recollect that we ought to
be respectfully at home. 1t is only an
echo. All. my dear old friend we have
had our past and it Is over. Yours
has been unhappy, and l am. oh. SO
very sorry. But you are contcntcd
now and. what is more. you are kind
and strong-it is better as it is. Take
me back to the hotel-and we shall he
ware of echoes in future"
Il thought you said you had grown
old" said Kinnaird. 1T Is only youth
that refuses the echo"
And he took her in his arms and kiss
ID her.