The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1908-06-26

swhat a pity that we can't al spoLs
on the slate and begin afresh and
forget
.Trs part OF the game" said be. Il
don't know why it's so. but it Is. III
see you sometimes. won't IT
'sNo. boy; think not"
Il believe I understand, he muT,
INJURED. "and perhaps it's better 50.
He took her two soft hands In his on2
rood right and kissed them. God
bless you and keep you, dear. brave III
de Cherry"
She stood straight and still as be
melted into the shadows, and only the
moonlight heard her pitiful sob aad
her hopeless whisper;
"GOodby. my boy, my boy"
He wandered down beside the sea,
for his battle was not yet won, and
until he was surer of himself he could
not endure the ribaldry and rejoicing
Of his fellows. A welcome lay waiting
for him in every public place, but no
one there could know the mockery OF
II. no one could gauge the desolatlon
that was his.
The sand, wet. packed and hard as a
navement, 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
he seen her first he would have SUNK
past in the landward shadows, Dut,
recognizing his tall form, she called
and he came, while it seemed that his
| constructed
though bound about with steel hoops.
The very pleasure of her sight panied
him. He advanced eagerly, and yet
with hesitation, standing stiffly aloof
| while his heart fluttered and his tongue
grew dumb. At last she saw his
bandages and her manner changed
abruptly. Coming closer she touched
them with caressing fingers.
"It's Notwithstanding at all" he said
while his voice jumped out of all con
troll when are you-going away
"I 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;
was uOpIS lLAh6 SON N@
day. Oh. 1 am glad and proud
II prefer you to think of me in that
way. rather than as the wild beast you
saw this morning, for I 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 ana
again, till there was nothing lelt.
What mischance brought you there
It was terribly brutal thing, but
YOU can't understand"
"But l can understand. / do
know all about 1t now. l know the
wild rage of desperation; know the
exultation of victory; | know what
hate and fear are now. You told me
once that the wilderness had made you
a savage, and laughed at 1T just as
I 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 us all. I'see now
that you were right and was very
simple. l learned great deal last
night"
II have learned much Also" SAID ne
"I wish you might teach me more"
"I-I-don't think / could teach you
any more" she hesitated.
He moved as though to speak, but
held back and tore hls eyes away from
her.
"WellP' she inquired. gazing at hin
. covertly.
"Once. a long time ago, read
lovers petition, and ever since know
ing YOU have made the constant
, PRAYER that l might be given T.:
puritv to be worthy the good In 20;
and that you might be granted IN;
natience to reach the good In me, bu
I, it's no use. But at least I'm glad We
:, have met on common ground. as l
!, were. and that you understand, III
measure. The prayer could not be ~
swered: but through 1t | have fount
: myseIr and have Known you. ina
last is worth more than kings ran
) som to me. 1t is holy thing which
!. shall reverence always, and when yc'
90 YOU will leave me lonely except 10
i its remembrance"
"But l am not going" she salo
r. ''That is-unleSs"-
Something in her voice swept Ill
II gaze back from the shimmering cause
, way that rippled seward to the risln
= moon. 1t brought the breath into nj
= throat, and he shook as though seize
: by great fear.
q "Unless-what"
"Unless you want me to-
"Oh, God! don't play with me! II
h flung out his hand as though to $40
= her while his voice died out to SUI
plicating hoarseness. II can't stan
&c that"
q "Don't you see? Won't you see
abe asked. ~ was waiting here to
MN q