Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-06-22
.Mademoiselle," said steinmetz eur

"MaOemo1Selte," said Ste1nmetZ eur
pestly, II am an old man, and in my
time I have dabbled pretty deeply in
trouble. But, taking 1t all around, ever
my life has had its compensations. And
I have seen lives which, taken as a
mere mortal existence, without look
ing to the hereafter at all. have been
quite worth the living. There is much
happiness in life to make up for the
rest. But that happiness must be firm
" held. 1t is so easily slipped through
the fingers. A little irresoluuon; a lit
tie want Of moral courage; a little
want of self confidence; a little pride,
and it is lost. You follow me?"
Maggie nodded. There was a great
tenderness In her eyes-such a tender
ness as, resting On men, may bring
them nearer to the angels.
Steinmetz laid his large hand over
hers.
"Mademoise1e," he went on, IT be-
lieve that the good. God sent you along
this lonely river in your boat. Paul
leaves me tomorrow, His arrange
ments are to 60 to India and shoot
tigers. He wfIfsail in>a.week. There
are things Of which wesneveryspeak to-
gether; there isonesname that is never
mentioned Since Osterno you have
avoided meeting him. God Knows
am not asking for him anything that
he would be afraid to ask for himself.
But he also has his pride. He Will not
force himself in where he thinks his
presence unwelcome."
Ste1nmetz rose somewhat ponderous-
~ and stood looking down at her. He
did not, however, succeed in meeting
her eyes.
"Mademoiselle," he said, II beg of
you most humbly-most respectfully
to come through the garden with me
toward the house, 80 that Paul nay at
least know that you,are here"
He moved away and stood for a mo-
ment with his back turned to her, looA-
ing toward the house. The crisp rust.c
Of her dress came to him as she rose
to her feet.
Without looking round he walked
slowly on. The path through the trees
was narrow; two could not walk
abreast. After a few yards Steinmetz
emerged on to a large, slipping lawn
with flower beds and a long, low house
above it. On the covered terrace a
man sat writing at a table. He was
surrounded by papers, and the pen in
his large, firm hand moved rapidly
over the sheet before him.
1--WE still administer the estate" said
Steinmetz in a low voice. From our
exile we still sow our seed"
They approached over the messy turf,
and presently Paul looked up, a strong
face, stern and self contained, the face
of a man who would always have a
purpose tn life, who would never be
petty in thought or deed.
For q moment he did not seem to rec
ognfze them. Then he rose, and the
pen fell on the flags of the terrace.
1T is mademoiseIlew said Steinmetz.
n no other word was spoken.
Maggie walked4on in sort Of uncon-
seriousness. She only knew that they
were all acting an inevitable part,
written for them In the great libretto
Of life. She W. noticed that Stein
metz had left her side; that she was
walking across-th the lawn alone.
Paul came to meet her and took her
hand in silence. There was so much to
say that words seemed suddenly value
less; there was.so little to say that they
were unnecessary.
For that which these two had to tell
each other cannot be told in minutes
nor yet in years. 1t cannot even be told
in a lifetime, for it is endless, and it
runs through eternity.
II END.