The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-06-03
VOL. XLIX--NO. 23

reproachcs.
She answered him with light laugh
ia and rose to leave the arbour, when, be
IL iore she was aware of his purpose a loud
lt report rang through the place, and he
IL icll at her feet, with his likelihood stain.
ing the edge of her rich robes.
In his anguish he had shot himself
The report of the pistol and the
$ Shricks of the terrified woman soon
brought assistance-but he was dcadr,
And what became Of her :" asked Miss
d Gregory.
: ut was long time before she recov-
ered from the shock" he replied; but
!. she afterwards married. Yet she never
again uttered the name of Fairfax, and
always Stunned this spot"
Had you been in the place of the Guy
Fairfax of whom you have spoken,
would you have taken your life upon
such a provocation ?" asked Miss Greg
) DRY.
II lhad possessed his nature, no doubt
! should have done So" said Fairfax.
gFavely. "But do not think that any
man, under any circumstances, has the
right to end his life by his own hand. l..
honour the man who, crushed 10 earth
by sorrow, goes on bravely in the lot to
which Heaven has assigned him. Ii is
only the moral coward that seeks relief
from trouble in suicide"
~ hope such woman will never dark
ell your life" said Miss Gregory. Il
think you will be very happy when you
seek wife,
Il shall never marry" said Fairfax,
abruptly.
He was silent for moment Then he
added, looking off at the river, with a
troubled expression in his eyes
do you remember the time when we
were children ?"
Very well" she answered.
II look back to it as the happiest part
OF my life. We were never like other chill
dren, he went on, with dreamy smile.
I'VE were older and wiser than they. We
loved each other very much then. We
were only children, but our love YVES
deep and true"
Miss Gregory's heart beat fitfully, and
she would have put an end to the CONVEX
sation, which was drifting into a painful
F. channel, by returning to the house; but
She felt she had not the power to do So.
Something, she knew not what, made
her sit silent and motionless.
She glanced at Fairfax, but lie was still
looking out upon the river, over which
the twilight was falling, and seemed
scarcely conscious of her presence
Our love was very deep and true" he
continued, as if speaking to himself, but
it was not destined to last. Iblamc N.Y.
self for it. l forgot you when away from
you, and the happiness that might have
been mine was lost to me forever. We
saw nothing of each other for years.
When we met again, all the old love of
my boyhood woke into newer, frcsher
life. cannot tell you how many bright
hopes l treasured up, trusting that their
realization would not be far distant"
Il am sorry, SO sorry" she began, as
her eyes filed with tears, and her voice
trenIbled. ito think that should cause
you unhappiness."
You have nothing with which to re-
proach yourself" he said, calmly II
could not help loving you, and cannot
help telling YOU so this evening. l know
you will acquit ME of any intention to
pain you or to wrong Mr. Grayson."
Il had intended avowing my love for
you on the evening you told ME of your
engagement. The shock was both great
and unexpected, and was sorely tempt
ed to take advantage of our confidence,
and try to injure one who is more fortu-
nate than l but, by Heavens help, did
my duty"
"You did, nobly. 1t was like You, Guy
Fairfax" she exclaimed. impulsively.
II love you dearly, Margaret, and
would rather die than impair your hap
piness in the least"
1t was the first time since their child
lOOh ludI hS hSih NclllCu llSl
but she did not resent it.
The twilight had deepened, and she
could not see his face distinctly, but she
was conscious that he was still gazing
off at the river.
AS she thought of the sorrow she had
unintentionally inflicted, she burst into
tears.
"You have been so kind to me-" she
sobbed, land have rendered you so un-
happy"
"You are i'll no way responsible forit,'
he said, gently, at the same time rising
to his feet. at is all my own fault.
would not have panied you with this in
terview, but l cannot help it. l want
you to forget it. When you think of he
in the future, let it be as of one who
would gladly lay down his life to secure
your happiness"
1t was quite dark i'll the bower now,
and the only sounds heard were the sobs
of the young woman, and the gurgling
of the spring.
fax added, after moment or two. lit
is my sincere wish that you may be hap
py, and pray that God may bless you
and yours, and shield you from all harm
and sorrow"
Miss Gregory bowed her head, and
when she raised it she was alone.
Rising, she retraced her steps to the
house.
She did not sec Fairfax again until the
family assembled for supper.
The next day he left Fairvicw.
When Miss Gregory was married he
was present, and was the first to wish
her JOY and prosperity in her new life.
Ever after that he met her with calm,
unrufiled face and tranquil mien, until at
last she came to think that he had over
come his love for her.
She was mistaken. He never ceased to
love her.
Some people will agree with the
Irishman that the grip is n complaint
from which you suffer for six weeks after
you get well.
Hope is all right when mixed with
an equal amount of hustle.