Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-11-21

FOR his battle was not yet won. ana
until be was surer of himself he could
not endure the ribaIdry and rejoicing
Of his fellows. A welcome lay waiting
for him in every public place. but no
one there could know the mockery OF
1t, no one could gauge the desolation
that was his.
The sand, wet, packed and hard as a
pavement, gave no sound to his care
less steps. and thus it was that he
came silently upon the one woman as
she stood beside the silver surf Had
be seen her first he would have skunk
past in the landward shadows, but,
recognizing his tall form, she called
and be came, while it seemed that his
lungs grew suddenly CONSTRUCTED, as
though bound about with steel hoops.
The very pleasure of her sight panied
bin. He advanced eagerly, and yet
with hesitation, standing stifay aloof
while his heart futtered and his tongue
grew dumb. At last she saw his
bandages and her manner changed
abruptly. Coming closer she touched
!, them with caressing fingers.
tits nothing nothing at ALL he said
| while his voice jumped out of all con-
| troll. when are you-going awayw
81 do not know-not for some time''
He had supposed she would go to-
morrow with her uncle and-the other.
| to be with them through their travail.
With warm impetuosity she began:
ut was a noble thing you did to-
day. Oh, am glad and proud"
Il prefer you to think of me in that
way. rather than as the wild beast you
| saw this morning, for | was mad, per-
| fectly mad with hatred and revenge,
| and every wild impulse that comes to
a defeated man. You see, had played
| and lost, played and lost, again and
again, till there was nothing left.
| What mischanee brought you there?
| 1t was a terribly brutal thing. but
| you can't understand"
| "But | can understand. I do.
know all about it now I know the
wild rage of desperation; know the
exultation Of victory; l know what
hate and fear are now. You told me
once that the wilderness had made you
| a savage and I laughed at 1t just as
did when you said that my contact
with big things would teach me the
truth. that we're all alike. and that
those motives are in as all. see now
that you were right and was very
simple. learned a great deal last
night"
| 81 have learned much ALSO" said he.
II wish you might teach me more"
| T-I-don't think could teach you
/ any more she hesitated.
| He moved as though to speak, but
held back and tore his eyes away from
| her
"WelI?' she inquired. gazing at him
covertly.
"Once, long time ago, / read a
lovers petition. and ever since know
ing you / have made the constant
prayer that | might be given the
purity to be worthy the good in you
and that you might be granted the
patience to reach the good In me, but
it's no use. But at least I'm glad we
have met on common ground. as it
! were, and that you understand, in
| measure. The prayer could not be an
swered: but through it have found
myself and have known you. That
last is worth more than kings ran
som to me. It is holy thing which
shall reverence always, and when you
go you will leave me lonely except for
It's remembrance"
"But am not going" she said.
"That is-unless"-
| Something In her voice swept his
gaze back from the shimmering cause
way that rippled seward to the rising
moon. 1t brought the breath into his
throat, and he shook as though seized
by great fear.
Unless what3"
"Unless you want me TO-"
| "Oh, God! don't play with mer he
flung out his hand as though to stop
her while his voice died out to sup
plicating hoarseness. II can't stand
that"
| "Don't you sect Won't you seef
she asked 81 was waiting here for
<ssxxe,~ IT.