Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-08-19
Continued.

AIN l UOL "a lie SeALHS ACSA S4N
blood? Stella, he is not like other
men-quick to change and forget. He
will never bend and turn as other
men. Stella, you win break his
heartl"
Stella trrned on her Ike some tor
tured animal driven TO bay.
DO I~not know it! Is it not this
knowledge that is breaking my heart
that has already broken it?' she re-
orted wildly. do you think l am
borrowing for myself alone? DO you
THRU me SO mean, so selfish? Lis
tea, Lady Lillian, tiff this separa'
ton were to bring him happiness
could have borne it with a smile.
II YOU could come to me and say, He
will forget you and his love in a week
"a month"; year!' would welcome
you as one who brings me consolation
and hope. Who am that | should
think Of myself alone7-I, the miser-
able, insignificant girl whom he conde-
seended to bless with his love! ] am
nothing! Nothing save what his
love made me II ny life could have
purchased his happiness / would have
given t. Lady lillian you do not
knew me"
The tempest OF her passion over
awed the other weak and trembling
girl.
'You love him SOL" she murmured.
Stella looked at her with a smile
Il love him." she said, slowly. Il
will never say 1t again, never! say
il TO you that you may know and un-
derstand how deep and wide 10 the
gulf which stretches between us--so
wide that Is can never, never be over
passed"
NO, no, you shall not say it,"
Stella smiled bitterly.
Il think know why you have come.
Lillian. You think this mere lovers
quarrel, that a word will set straight
Quarrell How little you know either
him or me. There never could have
been quarrel between us--one can
not quarrel with oneself! His word,
his wish were law 10 me. II he had
said do this ! should have done 1t
iii he had said go thither,' should
have goEe but once he laid his COM
mand on me. and | oheyed There is
nothing would not have done-noth-
ing, II he bad hidden me. / know It
now--I know now that ] was like
reed in his hands now that ! have
lost hjdI."
Lillian put her hand upon her lips.
You shall not say IL" she muir
INJURED. hoarsely. Nothing can part
you--nothing can stand against such
love! You are right, never knew
what 1t meant until tonight. Stella,
you cannot mean to send him away
you viii not let anything save dea,h
come between you?'
Stella looked at her with aching
eyes that, unlike Lilans weie dry
and fearless.
DEATH" she sad, there are things
worse than death"
stella
Words one cannot mention. lest
The winds should catch them ~ aud
spread them far and wide Not even
death could have divided US more et'
iectually than we are divided
Lillian shrank back appalled,.
What is it you say?' she breathed
Stella, look at me! Ypd Will, you
must tell me what yoG mean"
stella did look at her. with a look
that was awful in its calm despair.
4 was silent when he bade me
speak, do you think that l can open
my lips to you?"
Lillian hid her face in her hand,
trembling,
"oE. what is it?--what is it?" she
mu!mured,
There was silence for moment,
then Stella aid her hand on Lilians
arm.
Listen. she said solemnly. -
viii tell you this much, that you may
understand how hopeless is the task
which you have undertaken. lt--if !
were 20 yield. II were to say TO him
Come back! am yours, take me!
you--you, who plead so that my heart
aches az your wordsworth, in the
coming time. when the storm broke
and the cost OF my yielding had TO be
paid--you would be the first 10 say
that l had done wrong, weakly. sci
nshly. You would be the FIRST, be-
cause you are woman. and know
that II is woman's duty TO sacrifice
herself for those she loves! Have !
made it plain"
IVAN ra sed her head and looked a;
her. and her face went white.
Isis that truce
1T is SO tue. that II were 10 tell
you what separates us, you would 90
without q WORD, mo- yen would MT
that word in a prayer that might re-
main firm and uny itldng as l am,
SO utterly hope'es- were the words
the voice. that they smote On the
gentle heart with the force 81 couv.c
ton. She was STINT for moment
then. with a sob. she held out her
arms
"Ch. my dear. my dearl Stella
Stella she sohbed
Stella looked at her for q moment
then she pent and kissed ner.
DO not cry" she murmured no
tear in her own eye. I can not cry
rbe.4 -U4bnr