The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-05-20

Fiod that morning.
"MaFrisdP' exclaimed; "why had
not the least idea that such a thing was
ever thought orr
mo more had we. Master Silaa
few weeks ago" answered Martha,
blushing, "aRd, you know, you have not
seen US since Christmas So. as you
had kindly sent me an invitation to come
down and see you. l thought | would
take the liberty to bring Josiah along
with me, and make Il q sort OF marriage
trip"
Il am very much delighted to zee you
both, and you shall stay with us for
your honeymoon" | said. shaking a hand
OF each. "But you might as well have
invited us to your wedding"
Martha laughed and blushed: and then
my father and Mr. Jonathan offered their
warm congratulations to the happy bride
and bridegroom.
And are you still at the Corinthian.
Jcsiah?' / inquired.
No" he answered: Martha has per
suaded me to relinquish public life. aud
her father has procured for me an ap-
pointment upon the railway as a porter"
little time afterwards, Martha came
TO me with = radiant cOuntenance. Only
think" she said; that dear, good Mr..
Jonathan Is going TO set US up in hush
ness for your sake! And Master Silas,
what did | use to say when you made
such a fuss about the little | could do
for yOu-didn't tell you you would be
rich some day. and what tine things sou
would do for meY'
But am not rich. my good Martha"
! said. smiling. "and Il Is not who have
done this for YOU"
"Oh. but it's all the same, sir" she
said. with very sly look.
Presently my father. Martha. and 10
siah went into the house. But Mr.
Jonathan remained behind. and taking
my arm, strolled with me across the
lawn.
'Silas, my lad" he Said. In q kind
voice, the sight OF that happy COUPLE
has set me thinking upon a subject
have long had in my heartl Although
| have never mentioned IL, | know an
about you and Clara. Mrs. Wilson told
me what she knew. and have picked up
the rest here and there. l have waited.
however. until now. In the hrSt place.
l wished 20 know you better TO Judge
OF your dispositions: and, In the second
place. although the ties that bound You
TO that unhappy woman were OF the
weakest. yet. after the dreadful circum-
stances that attended her death, We were
compelled in decency TO allow a certain
time TO elapss before the subject Of love
and marriage could be preached"
"Ah. sir" answered mourufuny.
Clara has ceased to love me. She win
never forgive the wicked weakness Of
my conduct In gaining her love while
another claimed me as her husband"
1T was very culpable." answered Mr..
Jonathan, gravely; "and In any other
person could never have par,loned Il
but your life. my poor boy. has been 80
exceptional. that Il would be hard to
Judge you By the rules Of everyday
life
And you forgive me-. darlinkT' I /
whispered as held Clara In my armA
Il was never angry with You" abe |
answered. softly. Il only felt sad. and |
that | wished to die"
She was mine-mine at last, Nothing
could stand between Us now save death! |
Oh, the bliss, the rapture Of that mo |
ment!
am lyina at her feet. with my head
reVtinE against her. and my face upturu- |
ed towards hers, a. ! used 10 10 the Old |
days. The cool air Of the soft summers |
night, laden with the perfume Of the eins-
tering roses. steals through the open lat
tice. There IL no Hight save that OF |
the moon. that streams through the win |
dow. ehequsrins the floor with the ahad. |
ows Of the overhanging leaves. One
broad beam giances over my dariinFs |
head. making her golden hair Kilsten ike
threads Of gold. and falls full upon the
portrait Of her mother that hangs behind
her She Is translatinE the rhapsodies
that Oil the souls OF both into loves own
iSnguags-music. Oh. those wild. pas
Sionate strains. how they thrill through
ny soul! They tell all the story Of our
Iove-soft, melancholy. mysterious-
then broken By sobs and Withholding
Into horror and cries Of agony-then
melting into a soft. dreamy harmony too
ecstatlc for joy. too hopeful for sadness
and 70 they die away into the passion
ate silence OF love.
THE end