The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1904-03-31

"Oh, know what tumble and puz-
zle it must seem to your
II only know one thing-that you are
going away tomorrow morning and
that shall never see you again"
The darkness had grown intense.
They could not see each other, but
wan glimmer gave him feeting, misty;
view Of her. She stood half turned,
from him, her hand to her cheek I'M
the uncertain fashion of his great mo-;
ment in the afternoon. Her eyes, hei
saw in the flying picture that he|
caught, were troubled, and her hand.
trembled. She had been irresistible in
her gayety, but now that mysterious!
distress assailed her. Of the reason for
which he had no guess, she was 50
adorably pathetic and seemed such
rich and lovely and sad and happy
thing to have come into his life only to
| go out of it, and he was so full of the
prophetic sense of loss of her, it seemed
so much like losing everything, that he
found too much to say to be able to
say anything.
he tried to speak and choked little.
A big drop Of rain fell on his bare
head. Neither of them noticed the
weather or cared for it. They stood
with the renewed blackness hanging
like drapery between them.
"Can-can you-tell me why you
think you ought not to go?" he whis-
pered finally with great effort
mo; not now. But I know you
would think am right in wanting to
stay. know you would if you knew
| about it; but can't, can't I must
60 in the morning. I.
Il 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
it up.
"Come," he said gently, II am going
now"
She stood quite motionless for full
minute or longer; then, without 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 it's 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? It is
not late. Why do you wish. to leave
me, when shall not see you again?'
"The Lord be good to mey' 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 I can't
bear to let you go? I hoped to get
away without saying it. want to be-
alone. I want to be with myself and
| try to realize things. I didn't want to
make babbling idiot of myself, but I
am. It is because don't want another
second of your sweetness to leave an
added pain when you've gone. 1t is
because I don't want to hear your voice
again. to have it haunt me in the lone
Hness you will leave. But it's useless,
useless. shall hear it always, just as
I shall always see your face, just as
l have heard your voice and seen your
face these seven years, ever since I
first saw you, child, at Winter Har-
Dor. I forgot for awhile. I thought it
was girl had made up out of my
own heart, but it was you all the time.
The impression I thought nothing of
then; just the merest touch on my
heart, light as it 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. If I had
known you for years and had waited
and had the right to speak and keep
your respect, what have I 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, I have.''
He saw her in another second of
lightning, a sudden, bright one. Her
back was turned to him, and she had
taken few startled steps from him.
"Ah," he cried, you are glad enough
now to see me go! knew it. I want
ed to spare myself that. I tried not to
be hysterical fool in your eyes," He
turned aside, and his head fell on his
breast. "God help mev' he said. ''What
will this place be to me now?''
The breeze had risen. 1t gathered
force. It was chill wind, and there
rose wailing 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
mo-" she answered, I'll do not love
you"
"Ah, was it question, after all? L.
you read me better than do, perhaps:
But, if asked, knew the answer"
She made as if to speak again, but
words refused her.
After a moment, 'Goodby," he said
very steadily. 81 thank you for the
charity that has given mo this little