The Elbert County tribune., 1907-01-31
I14 lXTN11lY

do, IL she only knew that with one
word she could flood my life with the
Joy of heaven itself-should tell her?
stood fnadly battling against my feel
ings, against an almost overpowering
desire to tell her of the love that was
eatingsaway my heart; but my honor;
but my honor at last conquered. and
mastered my emotions, could / betray
the hospitality of her father? Could
take advantage of the strange cir
cumstances that brought me to her
house? No, l would wait, / would
watch, ! would pray-was | free to
speak-was she free to answer me
was not bound BY that terrible oath
and could l ask this fair being to
Join her lot to mine? And yet, she
too, was a member of ''The Invisible
Hand" We were bound in fellowship
by a common ue-by mutual interests
by the unity of purpose. but did
not speak of love as l again turned my
face to hers,
"Mr. Rodin," she said, have you
forgotten my mad words Of last
night?"
Forgotten them? No. / cannot for
get them, even If I would?"
"And why not?-they were spoken
on an impulse. without thought. with
out consideration"
"And yet" I said. they came from
a heart-a pure heart-untutored by
policy, unfettered by sin. l would not
have you change them"
"And why not. Mr.. Rodin, am / not
a member of The Invisible Hand?'
"Still, would not have you change
them-you could not change them II
you would-and God forbid that you
should"
She looked strangely at me for a mo-
ment.
'No. I could not even If l would.
Alas, they are spoken. But you shall
never hear me complain again. for
where my father goes / shall follow
him, and his companions are my COM
panions and his friends are my friends
and his sorrows shall be NINE"
Il thank God that l am one Of his
friends" | said.
She smiled.
miss De Tavenier," said, looking
straight into her inscrutable eyes,
may l ask you a question: ques-
ton / have longed a thousand times
during the three short weeks / have
known you?"
as 1t an important question, then?"
Very ortant-to-to-me."
"Then, pray ask it," she said, smil-
ing upon me.
Have you taken the oath of The
Invisible Hand?"
She shuddered-a slight tremor
seized her voice, "The oath, no, Mr..
Rodin, have taken no oath"
Again, thank God" I cried, forget
full of the look of wonder she cast
upon me.
And is the oath so terrible?" she
said.
Mono not so terrible for me, but
for you-for you'll am grateful to
them for sparing you in this STEP
/ saw her face crimson, her eyes fell
under the dark lashes; she colored; |;
she had read my secret; she moved
slightly away, then sat with a down
cast look, and l read in that blush
words as sweet to me as though they
had been imprinted there with my
OWN llpS.' one ndQ IOunO my secret IN
| my words. She had read my heart,
| and had found her own together, in
one delicious shock, and the thrill
that passed through her heart awoke
there a newborn love-a love that
could never die. and knew, oh, what
an eternity of Joy it brought to me,
but l spoke not, nor did l move, and
she who had never wanted for words,
sat dropping like great lily, silently
beautiful silence only broken by the
murmur of the fountains.
At last she arose, and her hand
| trembled as it touched mine.
Night was gathering in the East,
and, in the departing twilight, saw
again the mellow light of her eyes.
81 hope You will feel better to-mor-
| row; again, goodnight"
l pressed her hand as had never
done before.
Should l ever feel better than do
at this moment, l would die of joy.
God is indeed good, Marie"
She was gone, but had said
Marie"