The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1906-08-24
her to humanity and make the world

Hester was the orphaned child OF
Miss Gurney's younger sister. and IL
was not strange that the two, each
left desolate. should grow 10 be all
in all 10 each other. II Miss Cur
self-sacrificing, that was not strange
either. She was no longer young,
and had not hoped that her forlorn
heart hunger would ever be satisfied,
but Hester had come and satisfied
il. II was enough for her now that
there was one living creature whom
she could love and who loved her.
and her love for Hester was such
that 10 insure her happiness she
would gladly have endured rebuffs
and humikations that she would
sooner have died than have submit
ted 10 for any advantage 10 herself.
No self-interest could have anni-
hilated her pride and urged her 10
such lengths as she went unhesita-
tingly for Hester's sake.
She rose the morning after Rich
ard Harwood's visit with a great re-
solve already fixed in her mind. She
dared not reflect too much upon II or
lupon all its fulfllment must mean
10 her, for fear her courage should
fail her; but early in the evening
she travelled westward. and for the
first time. realized her intention TO
the utmost, and was.alarmed at her
own temerlty when she found her
self knocking at the door OF the state
~ house in Kensington.
If her knock had not been heard
she felt she would not have dared to
repeat il; but it was heard, and n
supercilious footman presently
opened the door.
Is Mr.. Harwood at home?" she
asked, shrinkingly.
The man eyed her dubiously; she
made a rather shabby; quite insig-
nificant little figure standing there
on the doorstep.
"Well-yes-he's at home. What
might You want him for?"
His lofty cohdescension reused her
to resentment, and so stifened her
dropping pride and at once restored
uCF SCll-COnlfOl.
"Will you tell Mr.. Harwood, my
man, that Miss Gurney wishes TO see
him? Say Miss Gurney. formerly of
Barndene, please"
He sullenly obeyed, and after an
interval, returned to her in the hall
with a perpleXed expression darken-
ing his countenance
Mr.. HaFwood Will see you. This
way, please"
She followed him into a spacious,
elegantly appointed drawing room,
and sat down there, feeling curiously
out Of place and bewildered.
And a minute later a gray, elderly
gentleman entered and advanced
toward her. Altered rs he was she
knew him, and was aware that he
recognized her as readily. He Of
fered her his hand with anLAbvious
embarrassment, but she bowed dis
family without appearing to notice it.
Il am pleased to see you, Miss
Gurney," he began lamely, and then
sat down and looked at her, and
seemed waiting for her to speak.
But she could not trust herself
yet; her heart was futtering suffo-
catingly, and she felt that if she at
tempted to answer, him she was so
unnerved she must burst into tears,
and the very thought Of thus hum
bling herself in his presence helped
TO strengthen her.
1T is a very long WHILE he made
an effort, and resumed namely, "since
we saw each other, Miss Gurney."
"A very long while!" His hating
words had an unintentional sting IN
them, and all at once she had flung
her weakness from her. Il would
not have troubled you now on my
own account"
please don't say that" She was
vaguely conscious of a wistful eager
ness in his tone. IF there is any
thing ! can do for you"
There is nothing you can do for
me- she said, with quiet decision
you should know me better than 10
think 1 would ask any, even the
smallest, favor of you for myself"
He quailed under her indignant
glance and threw out his hands with
a gesture Of despair.
Forgive me. / know what you
say is true" he returned sadly. you
must not think, Ruth" the name rose
inyoluntarily to his lips, that ! have
forgiven myself, or forgotten, or that
! have been altogether happy. !
know I wronged you-terriblv-and
the memory Of it has come between
me and happiness more and more as
! have grown older and had time 10
think. / have been punished-"
And - she interposed harshly.
But / did not come to talk Of what
is past meHding. You did ne a great
wrong, and / never dreamt tin yes
terday OF seeing you again, or that
there was any way in which I might
be brought TO forgive you"
And is there? Tell me what IL
is he cried. Il would give a great