The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-12-22

S-ANA Oh AANS& years
He cannot answer her. The love he
once thought was dead Is th7ob-
bing through his pulses. nInus his
breast with an agony OF yearning. Hoo
much he would give, an. Heaven. 10
take her into the warm enrolment c.
hi arms and cover those dear lips with
Passionate kisses.
She comes 1 little closer 10 him. size
lays one hand upoa his breast. looking
W with a smile whose wItchery IS simgly
maddening.
Listen" she says. Though you had
treated me so cruelty. Jack, ! couldn't
quite believe that you had ceased 10
care Tor me. And when papa and mamma
died you can never know how lonely |
was, and how my heart hungcred &c.
your presence and love. l tried TO forget
you, but IN vain. / devoted myself 20
art; but your face would come between
me and the pictures l was painting. and
| could think OF no one, dream OF no one
but you-always you. Do you wonder.
then. that | am here? ch. Jack. speak
u me. Say-say you are glad that l have
come"
Glad he echoes hoarsely.
Oh, the bitter irony OF fate. How can
he tell her-how utter the words that are
10 part them forever?
Alice" he says, has no one told you
DO you not ~know-that l am-carried9 ."
Married? You2"
She looks at him incredulouGly. The
smile has not left her lips, but it Is
changing, growing sad with reproachIul
sweetness.
you are jesting.' she signs. oh, this
is cruel"
The mournful cadence in her voice
nearly oyerpoWers him. All bis SOUL
leaps into Instruction against the vows
that bind hin. He makes a sudden move
ment rs if to fling his arms around her
ana draw her to his breat. For a mo-
ment the deadly sweetness OF this passion
threatens to destroy h,cl.
For a moment only, however. All at
once the fair pure face Of his wife rises
before his mental vision. His lips whiten
and mis- arms fall.
1T is true" he says huskily. AN l
must not-dare not remain with You
longer. Observation-Disclosures me if you
will; but try, oh, | beseech you, try to
forgive aEd-fOrgct.'
He turns from her then, and half
blind with pain, Gocs stumbling from the
spot.
An hour later Mrs. Desmond entering
Der uuSDdiO > Stuuy, IllOS ulu ScdlCt1
beside a writing table with his face hid
den in mis- folded arms.
Home already, Jack" she says "You
didn't enjoy the ball surely"
He lifts his head, smiling haggardly.
No. he says, did not enjoy it at
all"
He observes as he speaks that she is
regarding him intently. Coming closer,
she lays one hand lightly on his fore
head.
Jack she says, your faced is flushed
and your brow burning. Is anything the
matter?"
A deeper glow mounts to his check
the hue of bitter shame.
mo nothing he answers gratefully.
Il am not feeling very well, it is true;
but 1 shall be all right in the morning :"
She shakes her head, her gentle hand
pushing back the tumbled locks from
his brow.
Lam afraid" she says in a low voice,
that yours is a mental trouble. Don't
you know that you ought not to keep
anything from, your wife,
With a deep and inarticulate cry, he
drops upon one knee at her feet, and
selling both of her hands in his, bows
his face upon them. covering them with
lingering kisses.
You are my life, my angel he says
brokenly. '.All that l I'M or that l hope
to be you have made me. And if ever
I cause you one moments paln-you who
raised me from the depths and gave me
your precious faith-may the curse OF
, God"
She stops him with one cool palm upon
his fevercd lips.
Hush she says gently. you mustn't
talk in that wild way. You brighten me.
And why are you kneeling there? Rise
Jack. l beg of you"
"Not yet. l want you to know to feel
that my life from this moment is con
! secrated to you afresh. l want YOU to
believe that were l called On to surrender
it for your sake, l would do 50 without
a murmur. Do you believe this? Is your
faith in me full and completc:"
Her soft hand again drops on his fore
head. smoothing back with a loving touch
the dark chestnut curls.
Yes she says. cit Is"
God bless you,' he cries fervently.
And now one thing more. 1 am not
worthy of your wifely love, and yet !
Gesire it above everything else on earth.
a wife's love is her husbands strength
and shield. Let me know that l hold
yours and no power on earth could tempt
me u evil. 1lSA WI I you ddAiIO AAN
into the inner sanctuary Of your heart?
Won't you make me feel that l am your
husband-nay, your lovcr-in truth as
we'll as name?'
In his eagerness, though still kneeling,
he has clasped his arms about her waist,
lis pleading handsome face uplifted to
hers.
A thrill runs through her from head
to foot.
'You wish that?" she says. a LITTLE
husky catch IN her voice. you DO
really?"
Il wish it," he swer with my
whole heart and SOUL
She lays her hands upon his arms
gently freeing herself from their close
embrace.
'sWait,' she falters. "Let me think
With this she moves a few steps away
f1cm him, and when next she speaks It
is with her face turned only partially
toward him, backward over her Shout
der.
do you think she says, that [ cannot