The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-09-22
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wish me glory of conquest without
the :unt of battle!"'
~ o-you mistake me; it is because
kr T the battle will be so fierce and
long that 7 wish to save US both the
scars of many wounds
"Ah," she replied, with little, low
trilling laugh. Use this most wonder
full consideration, I pray, for yourself
Look at me.' upraising her face, the
moonlight falling full upon its almost
fawless beauty. Can you see any
signs of former scars:"
"None!w he answered; "but, by the
heaven above us, you shall yet ac-
knowledge one wound, which, if it
leave no scar, is only because it refuses
to heal!'
Again she shuddered, and again a
pain, which yet was keenest pleasure,
smote her heart.
The days glided on. The moon fulied
and waned. A month had passed since
Jack Raymond had flung down the
gauntlet, and she, with fearless fingers,
had stopped and picked it up. A
month! but what had it brought to
them both? No longer they jested as
before-no longer they spoke Of tri-
umph or defeat; yet each knew their
blades We're crossed, and they them
selves in the hottest Of the fight.
August was nearing its close. The
pleasant summer was almost at an
end.
'The winter soon will be here" said
Ethel, as they sauntered together, late
one afternoon, upon the cliffs, with the
sea lashing itself far below them into
white, impotent foam. care you
sorry?"
81 have not thought of it," he re-
piled.
The next moment the girl clapped her
hands,
"Oh, lookw she exclaimed. "The new
MOON Let US wishn'
An instant they stood silent, regard
ing the pale crescent far above them.
What was your wish" she ques-
toned.
THAT you would ordain that for me
there should be no winter, but an eter-
nal, glorious summer" he answered,
earnestly, turning and taking both her
hands.
It had come, then. She had seen It
from afar; yet it's coming found her all
unprepared to meet it. E[er very soul
was in chaos. She had lost the power
to think or reason.
"I-what have I to do. with changing
the. seasons?' she stammered, at last,
with little, embarrassed laugh.
"Ethel, do not triHe! Must I tell the
wonderful fascination you have exer-
cised over me from the first moment
of our meeting? Is the road to your
heart so long, so hard a one, that, after
all my struggle, I have missed my
way"
How subtly sweet were his words!
One moment she was tempted to up
lift the lovely eyes and let him read
his answer; the next, she steeled her
self against it.
He had boldly prophesied this way
not thus should his prophecy be full
filled. Were he earnest, the future
would tell it; were lie jesting, the jest
should not be at her expense.
HAS the play grown monotonous,
that you would ring the curtain down
so soon?" she said.
What do you mean?" he asked.
IL have enjoyed it so much that I
almost hate to have it end" she an
swered. you are capital actor, Mr..
Raymond"
His grasp tightened on her arm
his face grew very white.
"Dare you tell me you have been
only acting, Ethel? Unsay those
words! I love you, darling! Have
you no return for me:''
Again she hesitated. Could it be
love which was tugging at her heart
strings-love which tempted her to lay
down her weapons, and declare defeat
sweeter than any victory? Not yet
not yet!
She looked up in his face; she fancied
she detected a little glimmer in his
eyes, stern and dark though they were.
''Do you know what 1 wiShed?" she
said. in answer to his question, and
pointing to the moon. Il wished my
new dresses, on their way from Paris,
might be a success. Worth is so apt
to make blunders, nowadays. Let us
go in, Mr.. Raymond. 1t is almost
tea time, and am growing hungry
''Certainly"' he answered. haughtily,
and in silence they returned to the
house.
But. that evening, Ethel looked for
her friend in vain. On going to her
room. she found on her table a note.
Hastily tearing it open, she read these
lines:
1t is right that you should have the
na1rn of victory JTraplv 7 ocoord If