The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1904-02-25

eaee. Ne q n Rene -thiik q M->n
Romsl I an y begiA NJ ast studies
there. And leave to-morrow.".
I'm elad.-and I'm sorry--and yue
know which y which," said Beatrice,
pattins his shaggy brown head Il
shall miss you drsadfully, Stephen"
I'VE have been splendid shums.
haven't VET" he asked, eagerly.
Suddenly his face changed. He erept
nearer her and bowed his head until
his forehead almost touched the hem
Of her dress.
I'm glad you came here to-day" he
said, in . low voice. II want to tell
You something. and can tell II better
here. couldn't 90 away without
thanking you. III make mess Of IT.
never can explain things. But you've
been 90 much to me--you mean 30
much to me. You've made me believe
in things l never believed in before. I
know now that there is such thing as
q good woman---a woman who could
make a man better just because he
breathed the same air with her"
He paused moment. and then went
on in still lower tone:
"1t's hard when q fellow can't speak
Of his mother because he can't say any
thing good of her, isn't II? My mother
wasn't q good woman. When l was
eight years old she went away with a
scoundrel. Nobody thought I under
stood--I was such little chap. But !
did heard them talking-I knew she
had brought shame on herself and us.
And l loved her so! Then, somehow.
as grew up 1t was my misfortune that
all the women around me we're mean
and base. They were hirelings and
hated and feared them. As for father
he and I loved each other and were
good chums-but he didn't believe in
much. He was bitter, you know. He
said that all women we're alike, and ]
grew up with that belief. I didn't care
much for anytbing--nothing seemed
worth while. Then came here and
met you"
He paused again. Beatrice had lis
tened with gray look en- her face. 1t
would have startled him had he
glanced up; but he did not, and pres
entity the hating, emotional, boyish
voice went on:
"You have changed everything for
me. I was nothing but q clod before.
You are not the mother of my body, but
you are of my soul. 1t was born Of you.
/ shall always love and reverence you
for It, You will always be my ideal. II
/ ever do anything worth while 1t will
be because Of you And henceforth |
shall reverence all women for your
sake, dear lady"
"And IT," said Beatrice, in a voice
that did not sound like her own, III
were false to your ideal of me-if
were to do something that would de-
stroy your faith In me-something
weak or wicked"
But you couldn't" he interrupted
you couldn't"
But II could" she persisted gen
tly, "and II did-what then?'
II would hate you," he answered,
passionately. "You would be worse
than murderess. You would kill every
good impulse and belief in me. would
never trust anything or anybody
again. But them" he added, his voice
growing tender again, "you never will
fail mel feel sure Of that"
THANK YOU" said Beatrice gently
She stood up and held out her hand. 81
think l must go now. Good-by, dear
laddie. Write to me often. shall al
ways be glad to hear from you. And
and / will try to live up to your idea
of me, Stephen"
He sprang to his feet and took hel
hand, lifting It reverently to his lips
II know you will. Good-by, my sweet
lady"
When Mrs. Longworth found herself
in her own room again she unlocked
her desk and took out the letter she
had written that morning. 1t was ad-
dressed to Mr.. Maurice Cunningham
She tore 1t twice across. laid the frag-
ments on a tray and touched a lighted
match to them. As they blazsd up q
defiant yes" came out In writhing red
ness across one OF them.
Then 1t crumbled into gray ashes
She drew long breath and dropped
her face in her hAnds