Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-02-21
7 H E R En- D R NJ E R.
By Rev. Charles M. Sheldon.
Aubor Of I'm His Steps," "Robert Hardys Seven Days. ETC.

the thought of Luella filled him with
joy. Life was worth living after all
There would always be battle. but VIC
tory was possible; always sorrow and
trouble. but God was not dead. Every
minute brought healing to him. When,
few days after. Miss Andrews told
him that Mss Marsh was In the house,
he felt almost equal to his old time en-
thuSiaSm
He was up and dressed. sitting by
his window. which overlooked the same
prospect as that commanded by the H.
brary window downstairs. when Luella
stepped into the room.
She had put of coming to see him as
long as possible. When she had no
more excuses to offer. she went down
to Hope House. Gordon OF course
asked to see her. He was growing
strong so fast that there was no reason
why he should not see her.
She came slowly into the room, and
be started to rise and walk toward her.
but he was not equal to it and sank
back, smiling at her and not noting In
his effort the very grave look In her
face.
IL have been told | need another
nurse, Luella, but will promise not to
be-
He noted her look and instantly felt
troubled by 1t. She had come up to
his chair and put out her hand. He
had bent over and placed his lips on 1t
and felt it to be trembling and cold.
"What is the matter? You are ILL.,"
mo: but, john
She sat down near him and covered
her face. John Gordon sat very still.
He did not break the silence.
"Oh. let us not-do not ask me to-
you are not strong enough. 1t is cruel
in me to come to you In this way, but
l am not able to act part"-
what is it?' he asked quietly. She
looked up. He was gazing at her so
gently. so lovingly, that she was deeply
moved. She rose and kneeled down by
him and let him put his hands over
hers.
John" she exclaimed wildly, 'fs it
right that should make you unhappy
all your life?"
"There Is only one way you can do
that"
"Yes; but it is not the way you mean.
1t is the way l mean. If should be
your wife and come here to live,
should be acting part I am not made
to act. 1t would be unfair to you.
When you began to realize the impossi-
bility of it for me, then your unhappi-
ness would begin"
"Your PROMISE John Gordon be-
gan, while his eyes sought to dwell on
hers and then wandered away to the
window.
"My PROMISE! Oh, it was given when
l thought you were dying. You can
not know the agony l have suffered!
John, tell me you despise me. What
q contradiction l am to myself. to you.
to everybody"
"There are no contradictions in true
love-" said John Gordon gently. He
removed his hands from hers and
turned his face away. She slowly rose
and stood looking out Of the window.
ut is that, thatv' she exclaimed pas
sionately. pointing at the view from
the window. 1T would kill me, all
that dreary, hideOus. unattra ctive, hor
rible humanity. with its miserable, sor-
did. mean. selfish life. To dwell with
it, to neighbor it, cannot cannot!
1t would be q sin for me to pretend
that | could be happy in that kind Of
a life"
"And yet" said John Gordon. look
ing at her with new look, In which
pity for her predominated more than
any feeling for himself-"and yet it is
the kind Of humanity that the Son Of
God came to save. am sorry for you.
Luella. God help YOU"
She turned toward him swiftly.
Something in his tone reminded her
Of something Mrs. Penrose had said.
"It is too late. was born as l am"
Then she came nearer. do you for
give me for bringing you this unhap-
piness? Will you forget me?"
~ will forgive" he said simply.
"You will also forget in time" she
replied after a pause. He did not an.