Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-01-15
To High
EndeavOr
By JULIA NEELY FINCH

influence over you. That
am not TO you of that world tina
is about you, worshiping-
81 will admit that much. You Ger
tainly are not worshiping
Despite its fiippancy there was tn
tense undertone of earnestness il
the girls clear meditation of tone
and the dark head was held a bi
defantly for perfect mental equi
poise; but the man opposite her
standing and leaning against tht
low balustrade, was in too deadly
earnest to be in a receptiyely watch
full mood, hence the deeper meaning
of her speech he missed.
"No. My worship I reserve for"
| another woman?" But his low,
uneven tones ran on my ideals. "
And l, unfortunately am not the
realization of even the lowest?"
you certainly are not my ideal of
noble womanhood And yet-Mar-
garet-Margaret-I love you sol!
Why, l love you-not to madness,
but to all high and holy purpose.
To the end and limit of loves mean
ing. No endeavor would be too high
for your sake; no aim and object
too fart
"But you-oh, dearest! Forgive
me that ] must say it to you! That
my very love impels me to hurt you
You! You are beautiful blessed
by all for fortunes gifts and favors,
and what are you to your fellow-be-
ings? A star set on high TO guide
and direct? The soft light set in a
window that stumbling feet may
set their way thereto?
"Alasl Alas! my dear one, that
you are not! We're you all that it
is in your power and possibility to
be, believe me, ! would, | would, re-
sign all to another who might better
help you so to be.
"You are kind
"Yes, kind to you, but most un-
kind to myself. For-well have
calculated the result of what l am
daring to say to you. And yet I
dare. Danger lies in the path you
tread. How dare"-and his voice
took on the growing menace of an
angry brute-"how dare Granville
Joyce set his lustful glance upon
you? How dare you receive his APP
proving looks with a smile? Were
you mine"
"But then-I am not-yet"-with
a swift upward CLEAN from beneath
the long-lashed lids-and a slight
upward infection of the musical
voice.
81 would kill you with these hands
that yearn to labor for you before
you should bask under a lecherous
look! Do you suppose you know
men?"
"Some of them l think know a
little bit-but-"
"Never mind all that badinage of
one. You know menl You, a girl
-uarded as a jewel within a casketi
Why had you the faintest idea of ,
What soiling thoughts that man pro-
eets toward you would faint with ,
hame. And l tell you"
He paused, for demon seemed to
dutch and hold his throat, and the
yirl could see in the moonlight fall
ng softly about them the trembling
# the tense wrist, the knotted lines
n the smooth young brow.
81 tell you, if he even dares to call
tut your name before meas /
would brain a mad dog, will as ,
.ault him"
There fell a silence between them,
md the young fellow Strengthened
up his broad shoulders and, with a /,
witt, nervous gesture, tossed back
/ lock Of fair hair that broke from
is masses and fell over his brow.
IS for the girl, there had risen to
her cheek dusky rose, and her
.eeth showed line OF pearl against
he luscious fullness Of her under
lip. She breathed a little hurriedly,
% that abe long-stemmed rose which
hone golden against the folds OF
hin black stuff that veiled her bos-
I'M trembled as though kiss had
stirred its petals.
Margaret"-there was almost
Job in the word, and John Muir fell
IN his knees on the step below the
yirl and held her two hands in his.
cooking with all his soul in his clear
Eyes at her lovely, downcast face.
Perfect; perfect, from ripping,
husky hair to tiny toe-tips was shel
A beautiful woman and his hearts
tear love.
AS for him, his face was a noble
one, and a good, and in figure he
held his own among his fellows.
John" "Yes?" John"
You" "Yes?" "You hurt nv
lands"-and her light laugh rippled
IN the air.
Without one word John Muir rose
md stood a moment on the step be-
ow her, quiet and grave.
There was a pallor upon his face
ind his hands, dropped at his sides.
we're clutched tightly, thumb in palm.
This night was as the end Of the