The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-08-11
A SENSE OF DUTY

was seated SIDEWAYS OH "a mans Sdu
de and kept her balance with the ease
born OF custom. On two sides stretch
ed heavy forest. On the other two the
country swept away In gentle undula
tions, heavily wooded, till it merged
with low line OF hills into the blue
horizon.
About the woman the few hundred
acres Of clearing looked raw and un-
sightly-ncw fences, blackened trees
and logs, stretches Of land Uttered with
burn. Everywhere was the first desc
lation Of clearing.
The horse stopped abruptly at the
slip rails. His rider pulled them down
without dsmountlng and urged him
into brisk canter along the winding
track. which lay In heavy shadow fol
mile or so and then opened out into
clearer country, where tall, straight
gums were wreathed for their seventy
or eighty feet OF height with new
! bushy sprouts, looking In the uncer.
tain light like huge fantastic hop
garden.
Suddenly there was the sound Of rap
Id hoofs approaching. The woman pull
ed up. and her hand went quickly to
her hair to arrange Il struggling lock
thence to her neck to straighten hei
tie and so with quick feminine touches
to belt and skirt.
Round the turn OF the road appeared
man, who drew up hastily as he saw
her and so close that their hands met
Instantly.
II got your letter yesterday" she
said
He smiled and gazed into her face.
"It Is two months since I saw you,
but you are coming away with me
now"
She drew her hand away from him
mo, i am not coming"
"Not coming? Maryw
II would have written to yoI," she
went on, "but had not your address.
But am not going with you"
Not going? You mean not this mo
ment, but in day or two
IL don't mean that I mean that I
am never going away with you"
"Never? Good God! What have
worked and waited for? What have l
thought Of night and day but you. al
ways you-of your coming to me. OF
our going away to forget all the past
and begin life again.
"Ah," she drew her breath sharply.
~don't! l must not think Of that It is
all over now. Everything Is changed
now. l cannot go away. Alick was
struck by falling tree a day or two
after you left. and he'll never be able
to walk again, the doctor says. He
will grow even more helpless as the
years go by"
-And you--you are to stay and nurse
him and work for him? Is that what
you meanT'
She nodded. "What else could doy'
Couldn't he be got into hospital
Or
"And leave his wife free to clope
with another mang' she interrupted,
with a jarring laugh.
'IIe has beaten and kicked you
Drunk or sober, he Ill used you. What
duty do you owe him? You love me,
and | could make you happy. Come
dearv'
She looked away from him into the
wide, darkening landscape. mo, I
will not come. There Is only me to
look after him. l am young and
strong. and, whatever you may say. II
is my duty"
'It Is not" ne cried passkonately
"You love me and gave me your prom
ise. Did he ever show you any CON
sideration? Were you better treated
than his wretched dog"
''Hush!" she interrupted sharply,
isn't 1t hard enough without all thati
You must go away. l know what !
have TO do. and will do IT,"
He leaned toward her and took her
hand. II can't let you go, Mary. You
are mine. and l will not let you &C
back to that brute"
Her fingers tightened on his. II am
going to do IL. 1t Is hard. but there Is
nothing else to be done. Who but l can
look after him, feed him. nurse himr'
He realized. entirely against his will,
that she was in earnest and no plead.
lug Coulu tuTu utT. .AS HuStiS iuy
In his he felt wild impulse to lift her
from the saddle and carry her away,
making her his and freeing her from
her hateful bondage.
"How will you live?" There was n
faint hope that she would let him as
sist her; that he might come and work
for her.
She sighed: ''That Is the easiest part
am as strong as horse. Our land is
good and nearly all cleared. Outdoor
work | have always liked. and one
thinks less In the open air. In the
nighttime one Is too tired to care what
happens-a broken heart doesn't mat
ter. A fair allowance Of sleep Is what
one longs for most"
"Go. them" he said quickly. 81 un-
derstand you. But love you. and. my
God. 1t is only because I love you that