Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-02-25

would think l ain right In wanting TO
stay. know you would if you knew
about it; but I can't, I can't. I must
go In the morning"
81 should always think you right"
he answered in an unsteady tone, al
ways" He went over to the bench.
fumbled about for his hat and picked
1t up.
Come" he said gently, II am going
now"
She stood quite motionless for n full
minute or longer; then, without a word,
she moved toward the house. He went
TO her. with hands extended to find her,
and his fingers touched her sleeve.
Together and silently they found the
garden 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, sho
shook his hand from her arm. She
spoke In q breath, MS IL II were all one
word.
Twill you tell me why you 60? 1t is
not late. Why do you wish to leave
me- when shall not see you again"
THE Lord be good to me- he broke
ont. all his long pent passion of dreams
rushing to his lips as the barrier fell.
Don't you see it is because l can't |
bear to let you go? | hoped to get |
away without saying it. l want TO be
alone. want to be with myself and |
try 10 realize things. I didn't want to
make babbling idiot of myself, VT |
am. 1t Is because | 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 shall hear il always. just rs
shall always see your face. Just as !
have heard your voice and seen your |
face these seven years, ever since l
first saw you. a child, at Winter Ear
Dor. l forgot for awhile. l thought II
was girl l had made UP out Of my |
own heart. but 1t was you all the time.
The impression | thought nothing of
then; Just the merest touch on my
heart. light a. 1t was, grew and grew
deeper till it was there forever. You've
known me twenty-four hours. and l
| understand what you think of me for
speaking to you like this. II ! had
| known you for years and had waited
and had the right to speak and keep
your respect, what have to offer you
couldn't even take care of you if you
went mad as I and listened. I've no
excuse for this raving- Yes, l have"
| He saw her in another second OF
lightning. sudden. bright one. Her
back was turned to him. and she had
taken few startled steps from him.
"Ah," be cried, you are glad enough
now to see ME go! l knew it. want
ed TO spare myself that. I tried not to
be hystcrical fool in your eyes" He
turned aside. and his head fell on his
breast God help me" he said. what
will this place be to me nOw?'
The breeze had risen. 1t gathered
force 1t was chill wind, and there
rose a wallng on the prairie. Drops of
rain began to fall
You will not think a question i'm
piled in this" he said more composed
~. but with an unhappy laugh at him
self. II believe you will not think me
capable Of asking you if you care
No" she answered, IL do not love
you"
"Ah, was it a question, after all? /
you read me better than do, perhaps.
But. If | asked. | knew the answer"
She made as if to speal, again, but
words refused her.
After moment, "Goodby," he said
| ctonI;lv thon nj. the
charity that has given me this little
time-with you. 1t will always be
precious to me. | shall always be your
servant" His steadiness did not carry
him to the end Of his sentence. Good
by
She started toward him and stopped.
He did not see her. She answered moth
ing. hat stretched out her hand to him
and then let 1t fall quickly.
"Goodby,' he said again. II shall 90
out the orchard gate. Please tell them
me! Goodby!'
He stood waiting. while the rising
wind blew their garments about them.
She leaned against the wall of the
house. Won't you say goodby and tell
me you can forget my
She did not speak
"NOw he cried wildly since You
don't forget il. I have spoiled what
might have been n pleasant memory
for you, and know IT. You are al
ready troubled and have added, and
you won't forget il, nor shall Nor
shall I. Don't say goodby. ] can say it
, for both of us. God bless yeu, and
goodby. goodby. goodby"
He crushed his hat down over his
eyes and ran toward the orchard gate.
For q moment lightning flashed repeat
eddy. She saw him go out the gate
, and disappear into sudden darkness.
He ran through the field and came out
on the road. Heaven and earth were
revealed again for a dazzling white
second. From horizon to horizon rolled
, clouds contorted like an illimitable
Held Of inverted haystacks, and be-
meath them enormous volumes of blu
ish vapOr were tumbling in the wast.
advancing eastward with sinister swift
ness. She ran to little knoll at the
corner of the house and saw him set
his face to the storm. She cried aloud
| 20 tim with all her strength and would
have followed. but the wind took the