Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1903-09-04

| PtllCu oPhi my shS 6ASVt sAsS S~N
of life faded. That others might no
share this consciousness she summon
ed all her pride and energy to play {
joyful part for the day, loathing 4
and herself the WHILE and she welcom'
ed the return home as a shipwrecket
sailor welcomes a rescuing sail.
That night sad and restless, she
wandered out in the glowing dusk
down the road toward the school
house. She was thinking of the ole
days and the dear little new girl
friend who had done so much tt
brighten them, when a man appeared
in the path before her.
Good evening"" 1t was Clifton
Vests voice and there was a gladness
i'm it. I'm back, you see. Was
missed at the picnic?"
She tried to answer him lightly, but
she could not. She was weary and
unnerved. and the joy of this unex-
pected meeting made her tremble
weakly on the verge of tears. He
saw her agitation and took her hand
firmly in his, and when she sought to
withdraw it the delight of letting 1t
lie there overcame her. She raised
her eyes helplessly to his. and the
story she read there made her heart
beat jubilantly, though it filled her
with unutterable regret.
She saw that he was about to speak,
and she knew what he would say.
with all her strength she suddenly
wrenched her hand away mo,
no! Don't say it," she cried hoarse-
ly, with passionate gesture of pro-
test, Don't even think it," She
turned swiftly and fed back to the
house and to the shelter of her own
room.
There, Gained somewhat by her out
burst, she gradually conquered the in
ward rebellion of her emotions and de-
sires. He loves me-" was the first
exultant thought. He is mine if
will it," She paced the floor excited
ly thrilling with rapture and triumph.
But by-and-by she paused. The
river like torrent OF her thoughts sub
sided; they flowed gently, melodious-
ly, like a clear, cool brook among
When 1 was poor little girl whom
nobody else cared for, Anna Willis
chose me for her friend. She called
lie Eoou anu van iitNti
forget 1t. will be good and gener-
Gus now, though it should break my
heart / have youth and health,
wealth and friends. She has very lit
tie besides this mans allegiance, and
| will not take that from her. 1t is
not yet too late. II l go away at
once, he will soon forget and his heart
will return to her-she is so sweet,
SO womanly and true. But If l stay
She drew a long, shuddering breath
No, my dear little friend,-I will
go"
In the morning 1t was announced
hat Miss Lee had been summoned to
San Francisco by the sudden illness of
he woman there whose adopted
laughter she was and whom she call
ID mother. She came downstairs
dressed for the journey shortly before
rain time, and made her adieux to
he family
net Clifton West. She forced her
elf to stop and speak to him. Il re-
ret, exceedingly" she said, with an |
.dmirable assumption of the polite |
of short acquaintance. |
that / cannot be present at your mar
iage to my friend. l wish you both |
,reat happiness. Good-by.' He |
ever saw her again, and remembered
Ter only as a sorceress who had be-
yitched him for the Requirement of an
die moment.
The train sped on, bearing her
Witty westward, forever out of the
ives of the two she loved best on
arth. But her eyes were soft and
ender, and she was smiling as she
bought She chose me for her best
riend and she said l was good and
enerous. She trusted me, and have
ot betrayed her."
And that, the world said, was the
nd of a friendship.-Adelaid Davis
reynolds in Sunday Republican.