River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1906-10-25
NAUGHT COUNTS BUT LOVE
Bv MAX PEMBERTON

! shoulders and upon mine. We can
never repay, do what we will
Sir Richards eyes shone softer in
sudden ray OF moonlight that pierced
the hedge. Every word that she spoke
was like music in his ears.
mo debt is there when the task is
of mans own seeking, Alice. told
you SIX months ago that our poet,
Pope, was right when he said that the
greatest study of mankind is man. /
have studied men all my life. Your
brother Harry was but human addi-
| ton % my library. l found the pages
blurred and almost undecipherable;
but | read them, nevertheless. Here
was fellow creature who had wan
dered upon all roads for want of
signpOst. I began by asking him to
rest q little while in my house; 1
showed the pages of life and the pic
lures that were to be painted upon
them by mans will and by his in
dustry / tempted him to begin and
to find excitement in the pursuit.
When the old gypsy inclination called
him away, l was patient, not angry.
He would come back, I said. Time
justified me, and the months have
cleaned the blades of my harvest. To-
night Harry is waiting at Ashford hall
for me. My work is done, Alice. l
need TO mans thanks for little pa
thence and kindness that have been
their own reward. They have given
me this opportunity to speak with her
to whom l may never speak again un-
til the end of my days"
The Lady Alice made no reply, but
she turned away her head. Perhaps
there was something in her pretty eyes
which she did not wish him to find.
''You are leaving England, Sir Rich
ard?" she asked anew, with her head
still averted from him. The tone of her
voice rerved him to speak of it.
"A mans country is dear to him only
when it gives him that which his heart
desires. If leave England, Alice, it
will be because l no longer may hope
here. If go, it will be because there
is one at Bredc who would visit the
sins of the son upon the daughter.
say it only to ask your forgiveness;
there is a duty which is above love;
let me speak no i'll of your father"
She thanked him with a quick
glance, so quick that the teardrops,
like Jewel upon jewel, were hidden
from him; then, looking away over the
hills again, she said: DUTY asks
all Of woman sometimes, but
she must be sure that it is duty which
asks her. My father had set all his
hopes upon Harry, but that has passed
between them which he will never for
give. And I, Richard, what am l to
do? The butt, the willing object of his
anger! But | will not speak of it if it
be duty to be silent. l have loved him
truly; [ must stay by him; must rest
with him to my life's end because I am
his child"
Sir Richard Hardinge bowed his
head.
81 accept my destiny, Alice. 1t shall
not be said that l sought to turn you
from the sacrifice. will go; it is
love that has held me prisoner Let it
be forever, then, in eternal remen-
brance."
And, as they stood together, believ-
ing this to be the hour of their fare
well, suddenly the alarm bell rang
out from the castle, and almost at the
same instant they heard mans voice.
MY lord is dying!" he cried to them;
''the Lady Alice has left him!"
''You must go to him." said Richard
quietly Though his heart was beating
fast, his wit was less sure than my
ladys at such a moment
Richard, you shall take me-" she
whispered, refusing to release his
hand.
He kissed her gently.
"You are right" he said, that is
wise, dear one; we will go together"
When they entered the courtyard
they found the servant beside himself.
HE walked from a dream and asked
for your ladyship," he said to the Lady
Alice. She pushed him aside; and,
still holding Sir Richards hand, she
led the way to the great bedroom,
where, upon couch by the window,
they found the lord of the castle lying,
pale and insensible.
He had walked from a troubled
dream, as old Martin said, and, in vio-
lent agitation, had insisted upon his
daughters being summoned to him
forthwith. When they searched for
her and found her gone, the truth was
told to him.
''She is not here, my lord" they
said: land this night Tom Forsyth
came up from the inn to speak of a
stranger there" And, to their Won
der, this master of the oath and the
madman's anger spoke no word to
them; but, shrinking away as one
robbed suddenly of his reason, hid his
face and cried: She was all that I
had: God of heaven, forgive!" And
then re had fallen prone and they had
laid him upon the couch,
Thus the Lady Alice found him, and
almost with the touch of her hand my
lord Housed and recognized her. He
gave q cry of joy and, raising himself
feebly upon the pillow, put his arm
about her and held her to his heart.
Thou, Alice! they have not taken
thee, then?'
Il am here, dear father; they shall
never take me from you"
There is another. Who is it stands
there. Alice? Does Harry come to me,