Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1905-10-14

1Aha siiSh GliC OAONO dohLJ aiia roy SOb
bling in his arms And Arnott kissed
her, without speaking, his wet cheek laid
on hers.
you've tortured me, Hester'-the
quiet voice came presently out OF the
shadows" but I've won the fight. Sh.
'sh, dear heart don't cry What did
you think Of me? was man, Hester,
before was cripple. l couldn't be less
than one, even to gain you.'
The postman was going on his evening
rounds. In his deep suffering and great
remuneration, Arnott yet found his ears
straining to catch the monotonous frat
tat" He bent down and stroked the
stricken head.
:sMy poor girl Life may have held
few prizes for you, but you're not reduced
to drawing hopeless blank like me-
She lifted her face presently, and got
upon her feet.
II would rather have married you.
helpless as you are"
Her voice broke. She walked over to
the fireplace. In the glass their blank
eyes met.
"Hester."
She nodded to the blurred reflection.
Il wrote by to-day's mail resigning the
post which has been kept open for me
out yonder." His voice was very gentle.
Deprived Of it, my income would pay
Peters's wages and keep me in tobacco.
You are delicate, refined woman, with
tire instinct to enjoy and reyel in the
sunshine. Well, into the sunshine you
shall 60, if I have to take you by the
shoulders and drive you from my side. ]"
She made final effort. IF you drive
me from you, you drive me, most likely,
into the arms Of another man."
whats that"
"Mr. Bevis is hopeful Of winning what
you don't care to keep"
Chester p
what? Didn't you know it?" She
spoke recklessly, excitedly, walking up
and down. why, it's been the one
golden prospect dangled before my eyes.
To escape my brilliant future, practiced
for nurse. My health broke down. |
tried-and failed-again. And | wanted
SO little-I wasn't greedy, after all. Just
to earn my own living, to keep my self
respect. But I've tried, and failed, and
| acknowledge my defeat. Oh, I know
my place n She threw back her head
and laughed, not overmirthfully. "When
Percy has sown his wild oats, and is grow
ing doubtful about the crop, he will come
to me again and offer to settle down."
She paused. Her manner changed. She
turned dimmed eyes upon him. "Mur-
ray'-passionately-''in loving you I've
found my woman's birthright. If you.
throw me back upon myself, YOU cheat
me-show me Gods best gift, bathe me
in the glory Of it, teach me what living
means, and then shut me out in the
| darkness and the cold. Murray"-his
chin was sunk she crept a little nearer
''my dear"
The door was pushed open by grimy
hand.
"rhe lamp" said Lena the slavey,
who stood upon the threshold.
1t smelled Of paraffin. So did her
hands /; she wiped them on her apron.
evil the lady stay to supper 2'-with
bland and heavy smile.
There was pause Then, 'No," said
Arnott, speaking brusquely in his suffer
ing, the lady's going. Hester, my dear,
goodbye"
Hester picked up hat and gloves and
walked toward the door. There she
stopped, fumbling with the hatpins.
The sympathetic maid went to her
assistance.
"Let me find the 'eads, Miss. Yer
'ands is tremblin',"
you'll let me come and see you some
times ?''-turning at the door.
"No."
"You will be lonely. / should be 90
glad to come ~
"Better not
''Then, surely, | may write to you ?
Letters might bring comfort"
"Cold comfort, Hester. | should only
want-more.
There was silence in the room, broken
only by Hester's sobs.
GOD bless you, Them she muttered,
and, sobbing, stumbled out.
GOOD bless you," repeated Arnott but
only the shadows heard.
Nine months later, Arnott, sitting in
his chair before the window, heard the
bells ring out from the church in the
neighboring square.
A knock. Peters entered. He carried
some deep-red roses. ''The-the cere-
mony must be over, sir. They passed
sometime ago"
1t was out Uneasiness seized him.
His master raised his eyes.
A pause. Then, "To-day's curry was
atrocious, Peters. Give Lena another /
lesson"
His voice, coldly courteous, sent Peters
through the door. "And, Peters" it |
recalled him, "the curry is the only aaat-
ter need trouble you to superinteadn
Arnott, left alone. kept bis eyes npon
liz book The minutes PPa<se4, licked |
off by the hideous gilt clock upon the
mantlepiece. Hand and eyes went wan
dering. They settled Oh the roses.
"The last" lie mn.tsEed, signing, and +
laid them OH his knsa.
A sound Of wheels disturbed tile quiet 1
square. lie raised his head and listened, y
then looked out /
A smart brougham this White fbw-
,ers filed the carriage lamps, were ca, the
,coachman's breast and whip. Rat oh 7 /
homogeneous circumstances, cval CART
barred the way.
The woman, leaning forward. glanced !:
upward at the house. TheiE ayes liiet in 4