The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1903-05-22

the enc OF AprlI, Wnen the mall pack
ct from Portsmouth steamed across the
solent towards Ryde Pier.
The green verdure of budding sum-
mer lay thickly on the far-stretching
landscape and the tall trees dotted
through the island town, rising SO pic
turesquely upward from the sea, and
capped by the lofty spire of the parish
church.
The long promenade pier was gay
with holiday makers, and eastward,
the esplanade was bright with patches
Of spring flowers; while the soft mel
ody of a brass band floated 1tfully out
over the azure sea.
There were two travellers on board
the steamer who regarded the fair
scene before them with enraptured
eyes, for they were bride and bride
groom on their wedding tour-Roddy
and Diana Gordon-and the veriest
desert must have seemed a paradise to
them in the all-satisfying happiness
which union had brought t. both. But
the fashionable Ryde was not to be
their destination.
Their young love as yet demanded
the charm of solace of solitude, and 1t
was southwark, towards the great bluff
white cliffs and the silver strands of
Shanklin the island train was soon
swiftly bearing them, to the rose-cov-
cred cottage which was to hold for
them the first mystic name of home.
Home! What a talisman lay in that
simple word! And as the young SOL
der led his happy bride across the
threshold his heart swelled with graft
tude to the God who had shielded him
through perils Of pain and bitter
bloodshed in far India, to bring him
to this haven of peace and perfect love
at last.
And presently, as they fingered over
dinner, reluctant to bring to an end
that first delicious repast shared in
their Eden together, they spoke of Don
over whose welfare they yearned with
all the tender sympathy born of their
OWE happiness and large-hearted love.
Roddy had brought round his des-
sert plate and sat down by Diana's
side. ostensibly to invite her to peel
his walnuts. a task of which Roddy
himself had no aptitude; but another
diversion occurred by the arrival of the
post, the last mai for the night.
One letter was from Don, which had
been posted to Gadie Ha' and now
forwarded by Roddy's father. And as
Roddy tore it open and scanned it's
contents an exclamation of pleasure
passed his lips.
There, little wife, didn't l predict
this?" he said triumphantly. And
forthwith he read aloud a few hasty
lines Don had penned 20 Roddy on the
night of his betrothal to Lille Der
went. previous to his departure for the
camp Of the Tirah force.
1t was a wonderfully bright letter for
Don, full Of congratulation on Roddy's
forthcoming marriage and calm salts
faction In his own engagement; and it
ended with a postscript that stirred
both Di and Roddy to the heart.
Il begin to think, old fellow, per-
haps you are right. and life is worth
living after ALL"
Happy tears had sprung to Diana's
dark eyes. and, seeing them, Roddy's
arm stole round her waist, and he drew
her head to his shoulder and lightly
touched it's auburn locks with his lips.
you are satisfied now, little woman
that Lille has met her real hero at
last?"
She looked up in his laughing eyes
with a tender smile, for she knew he
was thinking Of a time when she be-
lieved Lille to be his own only love,
and she answered with ~contrite sweet
ness:
"Ah. Roddy. how good God is, if we
would only trust Him to shape our
lives as He knows best!"
The silence of q deep content fell
upon them. and by and by they strolled
out to where the great chalk cliffs
rose In dazzling whiteness up from the
sea into the blue sky. over which the
silvery stars of night were coming out
one by one. twinkling like tiny globes
OF fire.
Behind them reared the rugged
stretch Of undercliff. down the wooded
precipice Of which the murmuring
stream meandered from village to
shore. and by whose side ran a series
OF gigantic steps-a mighty precipice
that savored almost of Alpine sub
Unity.
The lovers-for they were lovers
still-stood h~and-in-hand and drank
in the beauty Of it all with that rapture
which only comes when viewing some
scene In the presence Of one we love.
Even Gadie. lovely Gadie, with It's
silvery. shining waters was forgotten.
They were here together, and it was
the paradise of the world.
Yet ever and anon, as they gazed out
the deep ocean, the thoughts OF
would turn to Don; and once
Diana spoke, with a wistful little break
In her voice.
Surely. Roddy, you will forgive and