Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1907-02-28
mans face. as, raising his head. he

mans face. as, raising his head, he
exclaimed. in an awe stricken whis'
per: MY God. Edith. my wife! And
| had not even thought OF her"
How would Edith take this change
OF fourtune? Edith? their lives had
drifted so widely apart during the
past ten years. that he scarcely knew.
or understood her She had cared
little for luxury or social distinction.
yet how changed was the fair, self.
poised woman who bore his name.
from that young girl who had strolled
with him on moonlight evenings, be-
meath the old elms, so long. ago!
All, well! She had still her small
inheritance, for he had squandered
nothing which was not his own. He
had fully intended to run down to
Harport last week and see how she
was getting on, but it seemed impos-
sible then, and now.
There was a rustic in the doorway,
and against the dark portiere a wom-
ans slender figure was outlined, in
bold relief. The sensitive profile
quivered, and low voice, vibrant
with feeling, murmured: James,
James, | simply had to come, and so
took the evening train. l am glad, oh.
so glad. to find you here. How white
and worn you look, though!
But this has been such a sad-a
dreadful day"
The man WINGED as at a touch upon
a wound, but the low voice continued:
Let me tell you. This morning
there was terrible accident. l was
at the beach when a young doctor,
who had been stopping at the next
cottage, was drowned before my very
eyes. He was on his wedding trip,
and the little bride, poor girl! is fran
tic But, James, the shock and pity
OF 1t all made me see even more
clearly than ever before, how little
the world has to give us but these
three things, life and love and death"
Her voice trembled, but with a GEES
ture both winning and tender, she
held out her hands. rs it too late
for us, even now, dear? You are an
ambitious man, but have you not yet
satisfied your pride? I'm not senti-
mentalist, but aren't we losing some
thing that is the best and sweetest
part of existence? Nothing counts,
you see. but these three facts, life,
love and death"
And Death is swallowed up in vic
tory repeated the man, in hushed
monotone.
But the heart of the woman still
sought expression. 81 have been lone.
ly, so lonely, James. If / had had a
CHILD" She turned her head to hide
| the tears.
The man caught herein his arms.
| But, Edith, listen!" he spoke with
apparent effort, after a long silence;
i am ruined man. You have not
heard, but everything l own is swept
away"
"A ruined man?' she echoed, In per-
plexity There can be no ruin save
in dishonor, and you are not dishon.
ored Proudly she raised her head
and like a beacon to shipwrecked
mariner the light of her trust flashed
its message of hope to the spirit of
the man before her.
| NO., rang his answer, thrilling with
the inspiring power of reawakened
courage. Defeated, but not dishon.
ored.'
| A look of almost maternal joy and
yearning was on the woman's face as
she softly rejoined: "Then nothing
seems lost All that is best remains.
and at last, oh, my dear! we know
how much we need each other. Fail.
ure means so little, when it can bring
even greater Joy than success"
The hearers glance kindled in re.
sponse to her own. Edith, how often
have | heard your father quote the
lines: What is our failure here hut
a triumphs evidenced Never have I
realized before how truly you are his
daughter in spirit, as in flesh.o
| They stepped to a window, and rails.
ing the curtain, looked out. "See .
she cried, in joyous exultation, "a new
day is dawning. The night is gone.
and the east is full of promise"
| But the man looked not toward the
east, but into the clear eyes of the
woman, for in their light he saw not