The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-18
Our Daily Sbcrt Story

I encouraging nature. One morning to- ward the end of the sixth year, Marian | ina received the following: "Marianina;--l am coming back to the old home. I have failed. In all these hold. The whir of the urgent city presses upon me and crushes me down. Life ia too tumultuous here; I cannot think. Even now I am on my way to you. Ma rianina. Oh! T have thought of vou many. many times. How I long to hear your voice. I see other women about me
 but to me they are as If they were not They are strange: not one ot them is like you. They chatter like marpies: they are tawdy; and neither do they like me. for when they see me they stick their tongues in their cheeks and laugh.
 "So before many days I shah see you and Errel and the good old man. Do you remember. Marianina, said I would | fight the world? I did, but I could not conquer 1t: instead. it conquered me. T enclose in this letter a little pai- os white silk stockings for Errol to wear on sundays stephen Balfe"
 "steve's come!" cried Errol one morn 1 ing. leading a great, bearded shabbilv clothed man into the tidy little kitchen. Marianina held out both hands. and choked and could not speak. It was an exquisiteiy keen pleasure to see him: it was also an exquisitely keen pain. She | noted the downtrodden shoes, his elbows ready to push through and her heart achcd. She stood tall and sedate, a Sii- vinely excellent foil. beside her glitter ing sister. Errol was tall also, and of a beautiful slimness. Her hair was the color of ripe corn. and her eyes were blue with the blue old china teacups.
 Steve talked to Marianina. but his eyes were full of Errol. And Marianina saw and took counsel with herself. 'Marianina." said Steve one afternoon | several months after his arrival. will you walk up and down the old path with me?''
 He drew her arm through his He had always been very gentle with her. When they reached the end he stopped and turned to her.
 You must know. Marianina, how re- spect you. how sincerely I admire and care for you; do you think, dear, you could ever make up your mind to throw yourself away on a worthless thing liiSo me? think you love me. Do you not, Marianina? Or have I mistaken the character of your kindness ' Her gaze fell away from his It was so different from what she had always hoped for. and the bitter part of it was he was trying to be kind to her to blind heart. She felt febellious and wanted to tell him all. Instead. she turned from him and swallowed hard.
 Forgive me! Forgive me, Marianina. he cried. 'I see I was mistaken. You thought of me as brother only. Again ask you to forgive me for being so in- delicate"
 Each word was like the burning of a rusty weapon in her breast
 Let us begin to walk again." she said, quickly.
 She could not help but hear the note Of gladness. or relief, that crept into his speech. Great. hot. pitiful sobs rose up in her throat. Presently she raised her head and looked at him with her calm eyes.
 Do not let us speak of this again. steve. she said gently. as she twisted nervously at the frilling in her sleeve
 They heard a soft outbreak of laugh ter. and their eyes took the same direc- tion. Errol with the teasing gayety of a child romped under the trees with her pet spaniel. A great bar of sunlight cut through the branches like a golden glaive, and fell across her bright head
 There was an unutterable tenderness in his eyes as he looked
 | Isn't she beautiful. Marianina?" he asked. "Sle seems to me like a being from another sphere"
 'Go and talk to her Steve, or play with her; must go into the house. think Uncle Lucien wants me-"
 She found the old man in his custom ary corner, and threw herself down be- side him. and. folding her arms over his knees, rested her face on them. Her pretty. soft curls breaking from restraint tumbled about her shoulders and over his shrunken old knees. Her little white hands that came out of her black sleeves worked convulsively. Shortly she looked up. and her thoughtful eyes were dry and glittering.
 Uncle Lucien." she began.
 He pressed her head down again, strok- ing 1t gently with his withered hand.
 T know! I have seen it all, all. dear child.' he said, huskily
 The afternoon sunlight a pale irradi- ance. came in through the window and spread across the white bed, bleaching the whole room with It's light The sum- mer breeze stirred gently through the branches outside, setting the leaves in q gentle ciapper The little room was very stiil, save for one sound. The sound wa