Morris tribune., 1905-05-06

has no voice which reaches out into the
darkness by which it may call back
| those who are once gone to live beyond.
| She did not weep; that were small
thing, trife. She sat and brooded.
i Four short months had changed it
| all. How young she had been! Would
! she ever be young again? How full of
the joy of life! It's currents swept by
her unheeded now. Why had not God
been merciful to her that she could
have died there upon the sea? she
thought All, poor humanity never
learns his mercy! Perhaps it is be-
cause we have no measure by which to
fathom it's mighty depths. She saw
herself old and lonely, forgotten, but
not forgetting. But even then lacked
she not opportunity. Womanlike, in
spite of her constancy, she took mel
ancholy pleasure in the thought that
there was one still who hungered for
the shattered remnants of her broken
heart, who lived for the sound Of her
voice and the glance of her eyes and
the light Of her face. One there was,
handsome, brave, distinguished, gentle,
of ancient name, assured station, am
pie fortune, who longed to lay all he
was or had at her feet.
But what were these things? Moth
ing to her-nothing! There was but
one AS she had said on the ship to
Desborough: 81 love sailor. You are
not he" And yet her soul was filled
with pity for the gallant gentleman,
and she thought of him tenderly, with
deep affection.
Presently she heard quick footsteps
on the floor of the boathouse, and, turn
ing her head, she saw him. He held
letter, an official packet. with the seal
broken, open in his hand.
"Oh, Miss Wilton, you here?' he said.
81 have looked everywhere for you.
Do you not think the evening air grows
chill? Is it not too cold for you out
here in the boathouse? Allow me-"
And then, with that gentle solicitude
which women prize, he lifted the neg
lected cloak and tenderly wrapped it
about her shoulders.
'"Thank you" she said gratefully,
family smiling up at him, "but hardly
need it. do not feel at all cold. The air
is so pleasant, and the sun is not yet
SET you see. Did you wish to see me
about anything special, Lord Desbor-
ough?
Moves is Oh, Mistress
Katharine, the one special want Of my
life is to see you always and every
where. You know that. Nay, never
lift your hand. I remember. I will
try not to trespass upon your orders
again. I came to tell you that-I am
going away"
"Going away" she repeated sadly.
"Has your exchange been made?'
eyes; a courier came to the Hall a
short time ago, and here it is. My Or
ders, you see I must leave at once"
81 am sorry-indeed sorry-that you
must go"
He started suddenly as if to speak, a
little flash Of hope Pickering in his de-
spondent face, but she continued quick
ly:
''It has been very pleasant for us to
have you here, except that you have
been a prisoner. But now you will be
free, and for that, of course, [ rejoice.
But l have so few friends Left she
went on mournfully, Il am loath to see
one depart, even though he be an en-
envy"
ooh, do not call me an enemy, | en-
treat you, Katharine! Oh, let me speak
just once again." he interrupted with
his usual impetuosity, 'and talk not to
me of freedom: While the earth holds
you l am not free; aye, even should
heaven claim you [ still am bound.
All the days of my captivity here l
have been a most willing and happy
prisoner-your prisoner. have looked
forward with dread and anguish to the
day when l might be exchanged and
have to go away. Here would l have
been content to pass my life, by your
SIDE Oh, once again let me plead! My
duty, my honor, call me now to the
service Of my king. I no longer have
excuse for delay, but you have almost
made me forget there was king. Now
that must go, why should go alone?"
he went on eagerly. 81 know, l know |
yoa love the-the other; but he is gone. !