Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1908-03-26

BILE and opening book from which
she took a faded but still odorous
boutonniere of violets. She looked
at the souvenir only a moment, and
then walked quickly to the instru-
ment. No word was spoken-but
he knew the seal of his letter had
been broken.
She never sang with more feeling.
Her heart was filled with maiden's
dearest happincss-a deep and abid-
ing love for the man who was listen
ing.
A Song.
Hope once whispered to a heart,
Worn with waiting, long and long;
Lips that eer had dwelt apart
Then were welded ina song.
Hope then whispered to a love
Timid as forest fawn;
A white spirit from above,
List'ning, spoke, and fear was
gone.
Hope then kissed Times hand and
prayed
That upon this twain it rest,
Gently as rare rose laid
On a maiden's happy breast.
With a womans intuition she
well knew that Fred's love belonged
to her alone. She sang with the rap
ture of wild bird of the Western
hills, in notes. rich, sweet and laden
ed with melody.
Fred listened with bated breath.
There are pleasures SO keen they are
painful. 81 am not worthy" he
thought with unselfish humility.
"But happiness without her is impos-
sible." She ceased playing and turned
her radiant face towards him. A mo-
mentary silence followed.
Ruth" said Fred, with a tremu-
lous note in his voice, notwithstand-
ing he tried to crush it into natural
ness, surely you know ere this that
I love you"
He had risen and was walking
slowly back and forth before the open
CRATE, as if in his loyalty he refused
to permit the physical to influence
the judgment of this noble girl.
Please do not look away" he
pleaded. 81 know my unworthiness
but do not-well, pretend you are
unconscious of it tonight. l would
rather love you, Ruth, even without
hope, than to have the unselfish de-
votion Of any other woman in all the
world. Do not ask me why-I only
know 1t is So"
For moment she lifted her hands
to her face, protectingly, as If fearful
he would see the great happiness de-
picted there, and, yet-he must know
know of her love for him, or she
would be miserable forever.
What have said," Fred went on,
may be nothing to you, but 1t seems
either life or death to me. Life to
loves pathway, or death to a cher
ished hope. Understand, l will not
lose interest in the world, or go to
the bad, or do any foolish sort of
thing, even if you send me away
from you. 1t is said that some men
are willing to be entertained at vau-
deville, when they are denied the OPP
portunity of grand opera am not
one of them. l hope-very much
that make myself clear. All the
world and all its people, men and
than your own dear self.
Tomorrow ! shall leave Gold Val
ley forever, unless you wish me to re-
main, and, well-if you should ask
me-not to go-I'll understand"
Fred stood before the fire, still
and motionless. After a brief silence
Ruth raised her eyes and saw his
face pale with anxiety-he was stand
ing on the boundary-at the parting
of the ways, awaiting his commission.
She rose from the piano-her
cheeks flushed pink as roses, and
came a step forward, then paused.
Her golden hair reflected the fire
light and made halo abouther girl
ish face. Her full red lips parted
with the tender smile of youth and
happiness. She was thinking: II an
certain of his love, am sure of my
love for him, and 1 will give myself
entirely, yes. wholly, into his keep
ing"
She held out her hands to Fred ant
said: please do not go!" He
voice was one of entreaty, yet low
and musical.
In moment he was by her sid,
and pressed her hands passionatel.
to his lips. In the ecstacy of love-
triumph his arms stole quickly abou
her, while her head rested content
eddy on his breast, her violet eyes
moistened with the dew of grea
happiness, looked up into his, an
two sincere souls were mingled b
loves sacred kisses.
A moment later the curtains part
ed and Mr.. billiard stood befor
them. His long white hair fell fror
his temples and there was glorifie
look of gladness on his face. He LITE
his hands upwards and in tone
ecarcaIv audihIa said. .Such fende