The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-26

EVersley waited there; he who loved her.
anu sne VINO had vowed to be faithful to
iiin' were face to face once more Then
she mad opened the easement and stepped
out' shutting 1t softly, and silencing the
Ihurmur and merriment of the dancers so
.ldl IL was as If a quietude, deep and pro-
round as death, had closed around her.
mere was strange mingling of keenest
JOY and expectation in her mind-an un-
speakaDle happiness; an unspeakable de-
spair.
There was no greeting between them. and
thsy moved out of the beam of light side
Dy side. yet apart, into the dark grounds
didn't care about coming into the
mousse" he was saying. carelessly. 81 only
reached the grange half an hour ago."
i did not know you were in England"
she responded. as IL defending herself, but
he did not heed.
/ don't suppose we shall see each other
after tonight, Freyda." he continued "You
VIII not be missed for ten minutes, perhaps.
VIII you walk as far the old bridge? That's
not very much to ask. and I've fancy for
going there. 1t was the spot where we said
goodbye to each other when 1 was ordered
to the front. You remember"
Remember! His farewell kisses were
burning her brow and her lips again, as
they had done then. Her heart was throb-
bling as it had throbbed that day. Would
she ever forget?
They walked on silently, each occupied by
their own thoughts, and gaunt and black
rose the old bridge across the sulen river.
They were standing against the low para
pet before Eversley spoke again.
II remember our parting. Freyda- 1t was
something to think of when we were thou
sands of miles from each other. It was
something to think of, moreover, OF what
sort our meeting again would be-the hap
piness of seeing you. of holding you in my
arms. of hearing your voice-can you mag
Inc what real happiness that WASP
She had bent her head downwards, or
even In the darkness he might have seen
her tears.
I'm not here to blame you, DEAR" he
went on. There may be some reason of
which 1 don't know for what has hap
pened, but it doesn't matter now. I think
you're crying, Freyda, and that's foolish.
Who will care for your tears? Peoples
hearts and souls may be tortured, yet
there's not a single person who'll mind.
That's the way of the world. One has to
go their own way-to fight, and love, to
conquer or fail. quite alone"
Mark and Freyda's outstretched hand
found his. 'If you only guessed half the
misery that's in my heart you'd forgive
me. 1 was mad / think when / broke my
promise to you-you don't know that was
almost forced to give you up; know now
that love you more than ever did in the
old days-you only, Mark
There was a passionate ring in the words
that caused him to come beside her and
his arm was round her waist.
"Yes, yes, 1 know" he replied hoarsely.
'"They thought of the money when you
were persuaded to accept Streatham. But
I've come in time to save you, Freyda.'
Never to be parted again. dear Mark
'Never-never to be parted again, dearest
one." and his grip frightened round her.
Hark! Through the darkness came a
voice calling her. Freyda! Freydal Leslie
Streatham's voice. mingling with the merry
open easement.
What shall do? What shall DOR she
whispered affrightedly. Mark, they
mustn't find me here with you-to-morrow
I will speak to my mother and Mr.. Streath-
closer to him, feeling her quickly throbbing
heart against his own, and below them
muttered the black river.
LET me hear you tell me once again that
you love me. sweetheart. Let me feel once
more your kisses on my face" he muir
INJURED. Its for the last time, dearest
the last time.'
She put her arms round his neck, forget
him. Overmastered by the mighty strength
of it, her lips were on his, their lingering
kiss very heaven Of bliss.
Swear that you love me-" he whispered.
"Only you, dear. dear Mark" came the
words. Come what may-only you, for
ever and ever
She was in his arms. powerless to release
herself, and then a quick spasm OF dead
lest fear struck her.
Let me goi Let me gol" she cried.
You hurt me-"
'"They meant to rob me of you. dearest"
he answered very tenderly. ITO part US;
but that can never be. Come"
Though she struggled with all her
strength of fear to escape, it was in vain,
for clasping her in his arms Mark Evers-
ley stood upon the edge of the crumbling
parapet. One look-the last look of unut-
terable love upon the face upheld to his
one last kiss upon. those marble lips. and
then, locked in his embrace, she and he
were in the black, Icy flood, borne swiftly
downward together to death.
"Freyda!" "Freyda!" came the cry, never
to be answered.
l.Copyright I'm the United States of
America by d. T. Pierce.l