Morris tribune., 1904-03-19

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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, she
shook his hand from her arm. She
spoke in breath, as if it were all one
word.
"Will you tell me why you go? 1t is
not late Why do you wish to leave
me, when l shall not see you again?"
"The Lord be good to me!' he broke
out. 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. want to be
alone. l want to be with myself and
try to realize things. 1 didn't want to
make babbling idiot of myself, but I
am. tbs because don't want another
second of your sweetness to leave an
! added pain when you've gone. 1t is
because l don't want to hear your voice
again. to have it haunt me in the lone
liness you will leave. But it's useless,
L L
l shall always see your face, just as
l have heard your voice and seen your
face these seven years, ever since
first saw you, child, at Winter Har-
Dor. l forgot for awhile. | thought it
was girl l had made up out Of my
own heart, but it was you all the time.
The impression l thought nothing Of
! heart, light as it was, grew and grew
deeper till it was there forever. You've
known me tWenty-four hours, and
understand what you think of me for
speaking to you like this. If l had
known you for years and had waited
and had the right to speak and keep
your respect, what have to offer you?
I couldn't even take care of you if you
went mad as l and Listened. I've no
excuse for this raving- Yes, have"
He saw her in another second Of
lightning. sudden, bright one. Her
back was turned to him, and she had
taken a. few startled steps from him.
''Ah," he cried, '1yeu are glad enough
now to see me go! knew it. 1 want
ed to spare myself that. tried not to
be hysterical fool in your eyes" He
turned aside. and his head fell on his
breast. "God help mer' he said. "What |!
will this place be to me neW?"
The breeze had risen. 1T gathered |
force. 1t was a chill wind, and there !
rose wailing on the prairie. Drops Of |
rain began to fall.
piled in this he said. more composed
ly, but with an unhappy laugh at him
self. Il believe you will not think me
capable of asking you if you eare''-
NO." she answered. IL do not love
you"
"Ah, was it a question. after all? l.
you read me better than I do, perhaps.
But, if l asked, knew the answer"
She made as if to speak again. but
words refused her.
After moment "Goodby," he said
very steadily. Il thank you for the
charity that has given me this little
time-with you. 1t will always be-
precious to me. l shall always be your
servant" His steadiness did not carry
BY.
She started toward him and stopped.
He did not see her. She answered moth
ing, but stretched out her hand to him
and then let it fall quickly
'Goodby," he said again. 81 shall go
out the orchard gate. Please tell them '
good night for me. Won't you speak to
me? Goodbye h."
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.
"Non' he cried wildly. "Since you
don't forget it! l have spoiled what. e
might have been a pleasant memory !
for you. and l know it. You are al
ready troubled, and Il have added, and /
you won't forget it. nor shall Nor +
shall l. Don't say goodby! l can say it
for both of us. God bless you, and I
soodby. goodby, goodbyr' c
He crushed his hat down over his y
yes and ran toward the orchard gate.
Cor moment lightning flashed repeat q
dly. She saw him go out the gate t
md disappear into sudden darkness. Il
lie ran through the field and came out
n the road. Heaven and earth were t
evealed again for dazzling white t
econd From horizon to horizon rolled
louds contorted like an illimitable II
eld Of inverted haystacks, and be Il
cath them enormous volumes of blu a
sh vapor were tumbling in the west, r
dvancing eastward with sinister swift Z
ess. She ran to little knoll at the q
orner Of the house and saw him set ,
is face to the storm. She cried alo," o
% him with all her strength and would
lave followed, but the wind took the
words out Of her. mouth and drove her 8
Jack, covering. to the shelter Of the
louse. f
Out on the road the lashing dust o
anne singing him like thousand net b
loo him anI hoat him n