Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1904-06-20
The Gentleman
From Indiana
By Booth HARRINGTON
olui,hi. 1900. b. Dolhhin MoClTe 60.
CasyrIsht. 1902. b, NoC,sre. PHILLIPS Go.


could not see each other. but
climmcr gave him a fcetinC misty
n Of her. She stood half turned
IN him. her hand 10 her cheek in
uncertain fashion OF his great mo-
nt I'm the afternoon. Her eyes, he
in the flying picture that he
cht were troubled. and her hand
nbIcd. She had been irresistible in
gayety. put now that a mysterious
trcss assailed her. Of the reason for
iCh he had no guess, she was so
brably pathetic and seemed such
h. and lovely and sad and happy
ng TO have come into his life only to
out OF it, and he was so full of the
bphetic sense of loss of her, it seemed
much like losing everything, that he
lnd too much to say to be able to
h anything.
lie tried to speak and choked little.
big drop of rain fell on his bare |
had. Neither Of them noticed the |
rather or cared for it. They stood |
it'll the renewed blackness hanging |
le a drapery between them.
"Can-can you-tell me why you |
link YOU ought not to go?" he whis-
pred finally with great effort.
NO: not now. But l know you
+ould think | am right in wanting to
ay. l know you would if you knew
bout it; but l can't, l can't. l must
b in the morning
II should always think you right"
% answered in an unsteady tcne, al
yavs." lie went over 90 the bench.
uululed about for his hat and picked
up.
come" he said gently, Il am going
bow"
She stood quite motionless for a full
ninutr or longer; then, without word,
sbo moved toward the house. He went
@ her with hands extended to find her,
md his fingers touched her sleeve.
Tocether and silently they found the
harden path and followed its dim
length. In the orchard he touched her
sleeve again and led the way.
As they came out behind the house
she detained him. Stopping short, she
shook his hand from her arm. She
spoke in "a breath, as if it were all one
word.
"Wm you tell me why you go? 1t is
+ not late. Why do you wish to leave
#lme. when | shall not see you again"
THE Lord be good to met he broke
: out. all his long pent passion of dreams
q rushing to his lips as the barrier fell
..Don't you see it is because l can't
j bear 70 let you go? l hoped to get
away without saying it. l want to be
alone. | want to be with myself ana
try to realize things. l didn't want to
make a babbling idiot of myself, but l
3 am. 1t is because l don't want another
second of your sweetness to leave an
added pain when you've gone. 1t Is
because | don't want to hear your voice
again, to have it haunt me in the lone
illness you will leave. But it's useless
useless. l shall hear it always, just a:
I shall always see your face, just a.
I have heard your voice and seen you
face these seven years, ever since
first saw you. a child, at Winter HaT
bor. | forgot for awhile. l thought
was n girl l had made up out Of, m
own heart, but it was you all the time
The impression l thought nothing Q
then; just the merest touch on m
heart. light as it was, grew and grey
.deener till it was there forever. You
known me twenty-four hours, and
understand what you think of me If
speaking to you like this. Ii l ha
known YOU for years and had waite
and had the right to speak and ket
Your respect. what have | to offer yOl
| couldn't even take care of you If y(
went mad as l and listened.s I've
excuse for this raving- Yes, nave.
He saw her in another second
lightning, a sudden. bright one. ii
hack was turned to him, and she h
taken n few startled steps from nm.
All" he cried, you are glad enou
now TO see me go! l knew it. l wa,
ed to spare myself that. | tried not
be hysterical fool in your eyes
turned aside. and his head fell on
breast. "God help mel" he said. wv
will this Mace be to me now?'
/ lie breeze udu IlSSh' - -
force. 1t was chill wind, and I'd
rose a wailing on the prairie. Drops
rain began to fall.
You will not think a question
piled in this" he said. more compos
". but with an unhappy laugh at u
self. Il believe you will. not think
capable of asking you if you care
No" she answered, IL do not
you"
"Ah, was it a question, after all
Won read me better than l do, perh
But. if 1 asked, knew the answer
She made as if to speak again.
words refused her.
After a moment, "Goodby,' ne
very steadily. Il thank you for
charity that las given me this
time-with you 1t will always
precious TO me. 1 shall always be
servant" His steadiness did not C
him to the end of his sentence. ii
by
She started toward him and stop
o7;a. NJ soa ber She answered